(Motorsport-Total.com) – When Formula 1 embarks on a completely new era in 2026, all eyes will be on the new engine regulations and the more compact cars. But who will be the beneficiary of the new generation of vehicles? According to Williams driver Alex Albon, the favorite is already clear: Lewis Hamilton.
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The seven-time world champion, who has been racing for Ferrari since 2025, will benefit massively from the technological turnaround of the premier class, according to Albon. The heart of the 2026 rules – an almost 50:50 split between internal combustion and electric power, as well as smaller, lighter cars – seems tailor-made for the Briton’s driving style.
Albon’s clear tendency: “He makes the corners short”
In the Williams podcast Team Torque, Albon initially kept a low profile, but then came out with his prediction: “I have someone in mind. I don’t think I should say it out loud, but I have my favorite,” he says.
When asked who will master the new regulations best, he committed himself: “I think it’s Lewis. Especially because of the lighter cars. I believe that his style suits these vehicles a bit more.”
Albon goes into detail and analyzes Hamilton’s technique: “He makes the corners very short. He doesn’t focus so much on the corner exits – and I don’t think that’s the worst thing with these cars.” While other drivers rely on a clean corner exit, Hamilton’s aggressive way of throwing the car into the corner could become the decisive advantage.
Read more Albon prediction: Why Lewis Hamilton is the favorite for 2026
Hamilton and the SF-26
While the future music of 2026 plays in the background, Hamilton was in the middle of preparing for his second season in red. During the test drives in Bahrain, the record champion drew an optimistic conclusion after the first block.
After 149 laps in the Ferrari SF-26, Hamilton was positive in an official statement: “It was a constructive week overall. We completed our full program, which helped us enormously in collecting data and understanding the car better.”
The challenge: The right window
Despite the good basis, Hamilton warns of the complexity of the new generation of vehicles. “The SF-26 generally feels good, but these cars are complicated. Finding the right working window – especially with the tires – is the key,” he explains.
“We have made some good discoveries, but also identified areas where we still need to improve.” On 8 March, the official season opener of Formula 1 2026 is on the program at Albert Park in Australia.
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