LEWIS BACK IN THE FIGHT: WHY F1 2026 COULD DELIVER A TITLE AND WINS WITH FERRARI
In fact, there’s a growing belief inside the paddock that this could be the season where everything comes together again. Wins. Momentum. Maybe even that elusive eighth world title. And when someone like Martin Brundle says it out loud, you pay attention.
A New Era That Finally Suits Lewis
The biggest story of Formula 1 in 2026 isn’t just the new regulations—it’s how perfectly they seem to suit Lewis. After four difficult years in the ground-effect era, where the cars were heavy, unpredictable, and often uncomfortable to drive, Lewis never quite looked at ease. Yes, there were flashes of brilliance. Yes, he still delivered results.
But it never truly felt like his kind of Formula 1. Now, that’s changed. The return to overbody aerodynamics, combined with lighter and more agile cars, has brought back a style of driving that rewards precision, feel, and race intelligence—qualities that define Lewis at his best.
Add to that the new 50/50 power split between electrical and combustion energy, and suddenly Formula 1 has become a driver’s game again. And Lewis is thriving.
Ferrari And Lewis: A Partnership Finding Its Rhythm
The move to Ferrari was always going to be a long-term project. Year one didn’t deliver the fairytale. No wins. No podiums. Frustration. Questions. But Formula 1 is about evolution.
In 2026, the signs are clear—this partnership is starting to click. Lewis secured his first podium as a Ferrari driver at the Chinese Grand Prix, finishing third behind a dominant Mercedes team. More importantly, he’s been consistently fighting at the front.
Every race so far has seen him in the mix.
Every race has shown progress.
And crucially, every race has shown belief.
Wheel-To-Wheel With The Best
One of the standout features of Lewis’ 2026 season has been his battles on track. His fights with teammate Charles Leclerc have been some of the most exciting moments of the year so far. These aren’t controlled team orders or passive duels. These are real fights.
Hard racing. Smart positioning. Calculated aggression. And it’s not just Leclerc—Lewis has been right there with the front-runners, proving he still has the pace and the racecraft to compete with the very best. In many ways, this feels like the strongest version of Lewis we’ve seen since 2021.
A Return To Peak Lewis?
Think back to 2021. That season defined Lewis’ career in many ways—intense battles, relentless consistency, and a level of performance that pushed him to the absolute limit. Now, in 2026, there are glimpses of that same driver again. The confidence is back. The aggression is back. The hunger is unmistakable. And perhaps most importantly, the enjoyment is back.
Martin Brundle has been around Formula 1 long enough to know when something is shifting. And he sees it.
“Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more,” he said.
That one sentence explains everything. When Lewis is comfortable, he’s dangerous. When he’s enjoying the car, he becomes one of the most complete drivers on the grid.
“Ferrari is more competitive and I think again will make a big step for Miami.”
That’s the key. Ferrari are improving. And in Formula 1, momentum is everything.
Why The Old Cars Didn’t Work
Brundle didn’t hold back when talking about the previous generation of cars.
“Lewis obviously prefers this type of car to the seasons we had with the ground-effect cars that were smashing against the ground and were quite brutal things, it didn’t seem to suit his style.”
That’s been clear for years. Those cars demanded a very specific driving approach—one that didn’t align naturally with Lewis’ strengths. But now? We’re back to a Formula 1 where driver input matters more. Where feel matters. Where adaptability is rewarded. And Lewis is one of the best at that.
A Happier Lewis Is A Faster Lewis
There’s another detail Brundle highlighted—and it’s easy to overlook, but incredibly important.
“But just his mood and just the way he’s going about it, he just seems a lot happier because Ferrari is more competitive.”
This matters. Formula 1 is as much mental as it is physical. Confidence changes everything. A driver who believes in the car, in the team, and in the direction they’re heading will always extract more performance. And right now, Lewis looks like a driver who believes again.
The Challenge Inside Ferrari
Of course, there’s one major hurdle. Charles Leclerc.
“He’s got to beat Charles Leclerc if he’s going to win the world championship in the other Ferrari, and others.”
That’s the reality. In modern Formula 1, your first opponent is always your teammate. And Leclerc is no easy benchmark. He’s fast. He’s aggressive. He knows the team inside out. If Lewis wants to fight for the title, he has to establish himself as Ferrari’s lead driver. And based on what we’ve seen so far, that battle is going to be intense.
Mercedes Still Leading The Way
While Ferrari and Lewis are improving, there’s no denying who currently holds the advantage. Mercedes. The Brackley-based team has dominated the opening phase of the season, securing three Grand Prix victories, including two 1-2 finishes.
They also claimed the Sprint win in China. That’s serious performance. Leading the championship is rising star Kimi Antonelli, sitting on 72 points, just ahead of teammate George Russell.
Behind them, Leclerc and Lewis are chasing. The gap is significant—but not decisive. Here’s where things get interesting. Despite Mercedes’ strong start, the season is far from over. There are still 19 race weekends to go. Sprint races. Upgrades. Development battles. Anything can happen.
“I think it’s totally wide open,” Brundle insisted. And he’s right. Formula 1 seasons are rarely decided in the opening races. They’re shaped by development, consistency, and momentum.
The Importance Of Upgrades
The new F1 2026 regulations have created a unique situation. There’s still a lot of performance left to unlock. Teams are learning. Adapting. Improving.
“We have got a Sprint weekend in Miami, so there are Sprint points to be won, Grand Prix points to be won.”
Every weekend matters. Every upgrade matters. And Ferrari are expected to bring significant improvements in the coming races. If they get it right, the gap to Mercedes could shrink quickly.
“This is going to ebb and flow. I see teams leapfrogging others with some upgrades because there is so much upside potential with these cars.”
That’s what makes F1 2026 so exciting. No one is standing still. No one has a perfect package. And that creates opportunity. For drivers like Lewis, that’s exactly what you want.
Eight Drivers, One Title Fight?
Brundle made one final point—and it’s a big one.
“Anybody I would say in the top four teams, any of those eight drivers, could win this year’s world championship.”
Think about that. Eight drivers. Four teams. All with a realistic shot. That’s Formula 1 at its best. In a season like this, experience matters. Racecraft matters. Composure matters. And Lewis has all of it.
He knows how to manage a championship.
He knows how to build momentum.
He knows how to deliver when it counts.
He knows how to build momentum.
He knows how to deliver when it counts.
That’s why, even now, he remains one of the most dangerous drivers on the grid.
The Bigger Dream
Brundle believes Lewis can still win races this season.
“If there’s a sniff of a victory, I think Lewis is still very much capable of taking that.”
That’s not speculation. That’s reality. Give Lewis a car capable of fighting at the front, and he will take his chances. He always has.
And then there’s the bigger question. Can Lewis win an eighth world title? On paper, it’s a huge challenge. But in Formula 1, things change quickly. Momentum shifts. Teams evolve. Drivers rise. And if Ferrari continue to improve, if Lewis continues to adapt, if the opportunities come… It’s possible.
Final Thoughts: A Season Full Of Possibility
Formula 1 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory. New regulations. New challenges. New opportunities. And right in the middle of it all is Lewis.
Fighting. Adapting. Believing.
He may not have won yet. But the signs are there. The pace is there. The hunger is there. And if there’s even the smallest chance…Don’t bet against Lewis.
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