Hamilton says Ferrari built "solid foundations" over first half of F1 season
Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari has built solid foundations and returns from the summer break fitter than ever ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix.
- 3
- 20 August 2026
What Happened
Lewis Hamilton arrived in Zandvoort in top form, determined to start the second half of the Formula 1 season on a strong note. Speaking ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, the Scuderia Ferrari HP driver said the team has made major progress but still has areas to improve. He noted that the new regulations have been a huge challenge for all teams and that everyone has made mistakes along the way.
“We have come a long way and we are proud of the steps we have taken.”
Hamilton credited the team's growing cohesion to changes in both the car and its processes, saying the team is now "really in sync." He stressed the need to focus on executing everything as well as possible in the second half of the season.
“It was probably the most different break I've ever had in my career, an opportunity to raise the bar even further. I trained for three weeks and I've come back fitter than I've ever been.”
Asked about Zandvoort, Hamilton said he would love to win there, noting that he has won at the circuit but never in Formula 1. He described the track as incredible and said the fans create a really special atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Previously from Ferrari N.V.
Ferrari enters the Dutch Grand Prix, the 12th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season, second in the constructors' championship. In the drivers' standings, Lewis Hamilton is second and Charles Leclerc fourth.
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Ferrari N.V.'s official releases.
Why this matters
Hamilton's comments give Ferrari's own view of its progress as the Formula 1 season resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix. The team believes it is now "really in sync" after changing its car and processes, but still sees areas to improve. How well it executes in the second half will determine whether it can turn those foundations into stronger results.
Terms in This Story
- Scuderia
- Italian for 'stable' or 'team'; commonly used to refer to Ferrari's racing team.
- Grand Prix
- A motor race in the Formula 1 World Championship; literally 'great prize' in French.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.