Ross Brawn, the legendary Ferrari technical director, has expressed his confidence that Lewis Hamilton will overcome his current struggles.<\/p>\n
Yet he believes the new F1 2026 rules will be crucial to the seven-time world champion\u2019s hopes of a successful career at Maranello.<\/p>\n
Ross Brawn backs Lewis Hamilton to deliver at Ferrari amid big F1 2026 question mark<\/p>\n
Hamilton has endured a disastrous first season at Ferrari with the 40-year-old still awaiting his first podium finish with his new team following his blockbuster move from Mercedes.<\/p>\n
His season arguably slumped to a new low at last weekend\u2019s Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Hamilton became the first Ferrari driver to qualify last on pure pace since Giancarlo Fisichella at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
That came after John Elkann, the Ferrari chairman, urged Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc<\/a> to \u201ctalk less\u201d following a disappointing weekend in Brazil.<\/p>\n Analysis: Las Vegas Grand Prix<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0Las Vegas GP conclusions: Max spooks Norris, McLaren DSQ silver lining, Hamilton\u2019s Ferrari regret?<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0Winners and losers from the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix<\/a><\/p>\n Brawn played an instrumental role in Michael Schumacher\u2019s period of dominance with Ferrari at the turn of the century, overseeing a run of five drivers\u2019 titles and six constructors\u2019 championships.<\/p>\n He went on to sign Hamilton as Schumacher\u2019s replacement at Mercedes at the end of the 2012 season, establishing the foundations for Hamilton\u2019s run of six titles in seven years between 2014 and 2020.<\/p>\n Brawn is convinced that Hamilton has strength of character to get back on track at Ferrari, but believes all will hinge on Ferrari\u2019s start under the new regulations in F1 2026.<\/p>\n He told the official F1 website:\u00a0\u201cLewis is a pretty determined character and has shown resilience in the past, so there\u2019s no reason why he won\u2019t [deliver].<\/p>\n \u201cI just hope that Ferrari get it right with the new rules.\u201d<\/p>\n More on Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Lewis Hamilton news<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Ferrari news<\/a><\/p>\n Formula 1\u2019s chassis and engine regulations will be overhauled simultaneously for F1 2026 as the sport embraces 50 per cent electrification, fully sustainable fuels and active aerodynamics.<\/p>\n Rumours have persisted for some time that Hamilton\u2019s former Mercedes team has the edge over the opposition for F1 2026<\/a>, with the Brackley-based outfit\u2019s preparations for the new rules widely believed to be advanced.<\/p>\n Various design details related to Ferrari\u2019s F1 2026 car \u2013 codenamed Project 678 \u2013 have surfaced over recent weeks with the team expected to switch to adopt a pushrod suspension at both the front and rear for next season.<\/p>\n Unverified reports in Italy have indicated that Red Bull could take a similar route with the new RB22, the first car produced under the team\u2019s partnership with US giant Ford.<\/p>\n It was claimed last month that Ferrari is developing a \u2018revolutionary\u2019 and \u2018top secret\u2019 intake system<\/a> with its new engine for F1 2026.<\/p>\n