Lewis Hamilton promised that we will never see last year\u2019s \u201cmindset\u201d again as he declared himself \u201creset and refreshed\u201d for F1 2026.<\/p>\n
Hamilton<\/a> admits that he \u201cforgot who I was\u201d for a time, but is raring to go after an impressive pre-season for Ferrari, one which has the Scuderia being talked about as title contenders. Hamilton has promised that \u201cone hell of a season\u201d is coming.<\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton: \u2018I know what needs to be done\u2019<\/p>\n Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n The sport\u2019s most successful team and driver united in time for F1 2025, but it was a harrowing first season in Ferrari red for Hamilton.<\/p>\n He went all of 2025 without a podium, that the first time in his F1 career that he has failed to score one in a season.<\/p>\n That led to some alarmingly negative outbursts from Hamilton, and chatter over whether he would carry on with Ferrari.<\/p>\n But, Hamilton, in an Instagram post following Bahrain testing, made it clear that \u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere\u201d as he looks to embark on a fresh push for that record eighth title.<\/p>\n While Ferrari topped Bahrain testing via Charles Leclerc, what has really caught the eye in the paddock is Ferrari\u2019s pace pace. It had McLaren team principal Andrea Stella declaring Ferrari, plus Mercedes, as the \u201cteams to beat<\/a>\u201d in F1 2026.<\/p>\n It is clear that Hamilton is more than up for the fight, as the new era of Formula 1 begins.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a wrap on testing,\u201d his post began.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s inspiring to watch a team pull out all the stops to build a car. It\u2019s the most fascinating part of this job for me. Everything is built from scratch and designed and redesigned over and over.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then there are only a few of us who get to put that machine to the test. That feeling never gets old.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to say a huge thank you to everyone in the team back at the factory for the hard work to get to this point! I am truly grateful.<\/p>\n \u201cI love this job so much and I love working with my team and driving for the fans. I\u2019m incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do, and I\u2019m excited for the season ahead.<\/p>\n Latest on Lewis Hamilton via PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton feels \u2018more connected\u2019 to Ferrari SF-26 after overhaul<\/a><\/p>\n David Coulthard questions if Lewis Hamilton has lost decisive edge<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m reset and refreshed. I\u2019m not going anywhere, so stick with me.<\/p>\n \u201cFor a moment, I forgot who I was, but thanks to you and your support, you\u2019re not going to see that mindset again.<\/p>\n \u201cI know what needs to be done. This is going to be one hell of a season. I\u2019ve given everything to be here today. Let\u2019s go team!\u201d<\/p>\n The F1 2026 season gets underway in Melbourne. Free practice at the Australian Grand Prix commences on 6 March.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n