Hamilton<\/a> opted out of the second year of his contract to facilitate his 2025 move to Ferrari. His contract would have been up for renegotiation this season.<\/p>\n Based on his current performance levels, it\u2019s not necessarily guaranteed that Toto Wolff would have offered him a favourable extension, particularly amid the rise of Kimi Antonelli. But this is pure speculation because Hamilton showed a lack of faith in Mercedes\u2019 ability to deliver another title-winning package.<\/p>\n Should Lewis Hamilton have kept faith in Mercedes instead of joining Ferrari?<\/p>\n Jacques was asked about which teams are well-placed for the 2026 regulations. He says the \u2018majority of people in the paddock\u2019 are backing Mercedes<\/a>.<\/p>\n While this is just a \u2018rumour\u2019 for now, it\u2019s likely rooted in dyno projections and conversations between engineers with long-standing relationships. Mercedes have apparently built the most powerful ICE<\/a>, but they will also have to nail the battery, which will account for around 50% of the car\u2019s total output.<\/p>\n The consensus is that power units will play a bigger role in determining the pecking order next year. If Mercedes are the team to beat, as they were in 2014, then Hamilton\u2019s decision to leave may look like a mistake.<\/p>\n SUPPLIERTEAMSMercedesMercedes, McLaren, WilliamsFerrariFerrari, Haas, CadillacRed Bull PowertrainsRed Bull, Racing BullsHondaAston MartinAudiAudiEvery F1 team\u2019s engine for 2026<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that Formula 1 has introduced a \u2018catch-up\u2019 rule for any manufacturers who are lagging behind. They will be afforded more development opportunities, so the advantage of early pace-setters won\u2019t necessarily be set in stone long-term.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, the new regulations for next year are the most dramatic change year to year of the technical rulebook that I can think of in the history of Formula 1.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very dramatic what\u2019s going to be required. And I think the majority of people in the paddock expect \u2013 and it\u2019s very, very similar to what we had in 2014 with the new engine formula there \u2013 a lot of people expect Mercedes to have created the class of the field engine. <\/p>\n \u201cNow, obviously, this is all rumour and conjecture; you have no way of knowing, but obviously, these power units have been on the dyno for a long time, and people talk about what numbers they\u2019re getting compared to others.<\/p>\n \u201cThese people grow up in the sport together, and these whispers emerge. No full way to know until we go testing, formally in Bahrain next year, but the expectation is that much like the last dramatic rules reset we had of power units in 2014, the Mercedes are expected to have done a strong job.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then the question becomes, where is everyone else relative? Is it simply a case that you must have a Mercedes power unit to compete? I think there\u2019s been a bit of discussion about the rules.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one thing that I\u2019d stress is there was a lot of discussion about the new rules in 2014 when they came in, and we\u2019ve had some of the best years in the history of Formula 1 since then. So, these things are dramatic when they come in, and they evolve quickly due to the rampant rate of development in Formula 1.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, wherever we begin with the rules, it will evolve very, very quickly. But yeah, excited to see how it plays out, because it\u2019s a completely different formula.<\/p>\n \u201cI also think that you\u2019re always going to get everyone converging and not a massive spread on the lap times, purely because it\u2019s the budget cap.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that rule has done wonders for Formula 1 and led to the most competitive era. If you consider that, you know, Senna used to be on pole from Alain Prost in the late 80s by 1.7 seconds, and now a margin like that covers the entire field in Q1. It\u2019s remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Upset\u2019 Charles Leclerc should make Ferrari contract demand as he dominates Lewis Hamilton<\/p>\n Hamilton is trying to direct Ferrari<\/a>, no doubt tapping into the secrets of Mercedes\u2019 dominance. But the team\u2019s engine development was likely advanced before he\u2019d even stepped through the Maranello door.<\/p>\n Ralf Schumacher reckons that Ferrari have already decided to back Leclerc<\/a> as their de facto number one driver. That means they won\u2019t be led by Hamilton\u2019s advice regardless.<\/p>\n![\"Lewis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2226433924-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Jakub Porzycki\/NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n