Legendary former Formula 1 boss Ross Brawn believes “vintage” Lewis Hamilton could still turn up at Ferrari in 2026 if the team’s competitiveness improves.
Bron spent 10 seasons as technical director at the famous Italian team from 1997 to 2006 during a period in which Ferrari enjoyed stunning title success with Michael Schumacher.
Bronn later served as team principal at Mercedes when they signed Hamilton in 2013, and Hamilton went on to rewrite the record books himself at the Silver Arrows.
Hamilton opted for a new adventure when he signed for Ferrari, but his first season with the Scuderia proved disappointing and saw him fail to record a podium finish for the first time in his career as he was soundly beaten by team-mate Charles Leclerc.
41-year-old, who will have a new race engineer this seasonis set to return for its second campaign in motorsport’s most famous red, with Ferrari launching its 2026 car in Italy on Friday.
“I think we’d all like him to be successful,” Braun said Ski Sports News at the Autosport awards.
“I have a special place for Ferrari; I’ve been there for 10 years. I know how difficult it is there.
“But there’s always a fine line between gelling a team and not really gelling, and last year it didn’t really gel.”
“But if he gets some incentives and if he sees there’s an opportunity, I think we’ll see Lewis of old.”
“So I hope that happens.”
After failing to win a Grand Prix and dropping to fourth in the Constructors’ Championship last year, as their world title reign lasted more than 17 years, Ferrari are collectively under pressure to adapt strongly to Formula 1’s radical new technical rules.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Craig Slater asks ex-Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn if Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari will turn their fortunes around in 2026.
Asked if he felt team boss Frederik Wasser, who is set to start his fourth season at the helm, was doing a good job under the circumstances at F1’s most proven outfit, Braun said: “Yes. What you don’t see and can’t assess is the infrastructure behind Fred.
“The engineers, how well they’re doing. I don’t know how it all works, but I think that’s going to be the measure of Fred this year how well they’re doing.”
When is F1 pre-season testing?
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Tune in to the highlights of F1 testing at Barcelona Shakedown, every night from Monday 26 to Friday 30 January, live on Sky Sports F1 YouTube at 19:00 and on the Sky Sports F1 Channel from 21:00.
The introduction of the new regulations means there is a tight schedule of three separate tests before the start of the 2026 season.
The first is a behind-closed-doors event in Barcelona from 26-30 January, before two tests in Bahrain from 11-13 and 18-20 February.
When is the first F1 race?
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Formula 1 explains the new regulation changes for 2026, including what will replace DRS, in a plan to enable closer racing next year. Video courtesy of F1.
The teams then have two weeks to prepare for the first round of the season, which is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 6-8.
The first practice session of the season will take place on Friday 6 March, with qualifying on Saturday 7 March and the opening race on Sunday 8 March.
Watch all 24 race weekends of the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1, starting with the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8. Stream Ski Sports from NOW – No contract, cancel anytime