Lewis Hamilton said he has taken his winter training to an all-time intensity high ahead of the F1 2026 season.<\/p>\n
Ferrari came away from Bahrain testing fancied as one of the grid\u2019s leading teams. Hamilton<\/a>, Ferrari\u2019s seven-time World Champion, is determined to \u201cshow up stronger than ever this year\u201d with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on the horizon.<\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton steps up F1 2026 preparations<\/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 F1 ground effect era which caused Hamilton great difficulty at times is over. He will look to resume his pursuit of that record eighth title in 2026, and banish the demons of a harrowing first season with Ferrari, as the new chassis and engine regulations come into effect.<\/p>\n Charles Leclerc and Ferrari set the ultimate pace of testing, though it was the Scuderia\u2019s long run performance in Bahrain which sparked optimism.<\/p>\n McLaren principal Andrea Stella saw enough to declare Ferrari and Mercedes the \u201cteams to beat<\/a>\u201d going into Melbourne.<\/p>\n Hamilton has since taken to Instagram to document his training ahead of the F1 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n Alongside videos of him out running, and performing exercises in the studio, Hamilton added the caption: \u201cThis is the most I\u2019ve ever trained between seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pushing hard every day to show up stronger than ever this year.<\/p>\n \u201cWith lifting, cardio, flexibility and strength training, everything is about progress and endurance and going further than the day before.<\/p>\n \u201cSee you soon, Melbourne.\u201d<\/p>\n More on Lewis Hamilton from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Anthony Davidson believes Lewis Hamilton could finally thrive with Ferrari in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Lando Norris quips Lewis Hamilton \u2018should have been eight-time champion\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton must strike in F1 2026<\/p>\n Hamilton has cut a far more upbeat character during pre-season. Indeed, he has vowed that the alarmingly negative mindset which enveloped him at times last season is gone for good.<\/p>\n So, that is the mental side. On the driving front, Williams\u2019 Alex Albon has tipped these smaller, lower downforce cars to play to the strengths of Hamilton\u2019s driving style.<\/p>\n Hamilton will certainly be hoping that this rings true, and the signs so far are positive.<\/p>\n But, F1 2026 has a sense of now or never attached to it, if Hamilton is to finally win that record eighth Drivers\u2019 Championship.<\/p>\n He is 41 going into the season, and having taken his training to a new level of intensity with renewed optimism, there could be no way back if he does not clear this historic hurdle in 2026.<\/p>\n Few of Hamilton\u2019s peers doubt his continued ability despite last year\u2019s struggles. Now, it is time to prove that it was the car, and that this new generation of Formula 1 will allow the real Lewis Hamilton to thrive again.<\/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