The last few years have been difficult for Lewis Hamilton after he struggled to extract performance from the ground-effect Formula 1 cars following a deflating end to the hybrid era. And after an equally difficult 2025 season – his first with Ferrari – a new set of regulations will undoubtedly bring a refreshed seven-time champion.
Jenson Button believes his second year with the Scuderia will see a return to form for the former Mercedes ace, with him being more ingrained in its 2026 car development.
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Unfortunately for Hamilton, his 2025 results were rather unflattering compared to his performance during the hybrid era. Ferrari sporadically looked competitive but, while team-mate Charles Leclerc was able to convert this into points, Hamilton often struggled resulting in a gap of 86 points between the drivers by the season end.
“It was tough. I have to say, watching Lewis in 2025,” Button told Sky Sports F1. “We were team-mates for three years. I understand how good he is. So it was really tough to see him struggle with the team and you could see it in his face how much it was hurting.
“You kind of forget everything else he’s achieved at that moment in time because you just see the pain.
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“But I think with the new regulation changes, we will see Lewis Hamilton back to his best, I really do.”
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Button partnered with Hamilton at McLaren for three seasons – 2010 to 2012 – after the Briton joined Hamilton as the 2009 reigning world champion after a successful year with Brawn GP. Hamilton, who had won the world championship in 2008, was a strong competitor for Button, beating him in points in two of those three seasons.
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“He’s gonna have input in how the car is designed,” Button continued. “And have confidence in him taking it in a direction that works for him. So I hope to see that.
“We want to see Ferrari at the front and we all want to see Lewis fighting at the front again.”
Photos from Bahrain Pre-Season TestingGeorge Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Andrea Stella, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Andrea Stella, McLaren
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Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
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Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing, Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing, Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
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Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
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Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing, Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing, Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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