Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari have the potential to reach a “magical place” if they continue to improve, but insists their current position in 2026 is “not up to par” with the team’s ambitions.
Hamilton arrived at this weekend’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix looking to build on the best result of his 17-month Ferrari career after finishing second behind Mercedes’ title leader Kimi Antonelli in each of the last two races.
After a difficult 2025 season, the last of the previous rules, Ferrari finished second behind unbeaten Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship last year to bring in new stars for the team and have finished on the podium in all but one of the six Grands Prix so far.
And Hamilton, who has been in great form so far, said: “My approach is full attack, full commitment and constantly trying to energize the team and push them in the right direction.
“I think we have a North Star. We know where to go.
“It takes a lot of hard work to get there and it’s not as easy as fixing something next week and you just have to adjust everything and keep pushing.
“I think if we all row in the same direction with the same force, we can go to magical places.”
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Lewis Hamilton inspects Kimi Antonelli’s W17 Mercedes car after winning the Monaco GP.
But despite all of Ferrari’s progress, Mercedes has remained an unwavering force at the top of the grid with six wins so far, as many as pole positions.
“It’s going to be difficult to beat Mercedes, but we’re trying to focus on ourselves and improve every weekend,” Hamilton said.
“But this is just the beginning for our team. It’s really positive to see the change this season from what was obviously a difficult year (2025) and I think we’re moving in the right direction. But this isn’t it.
“We have more work to do and more improvements to come.
“Hopefully we can prepare for that scenario, but I think we’re there to win and we’re not there to win by default. It’s about winning through pure performance and dedication, and that’s what we’re striving for.”
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After standing on the Monaco podium alongside Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar, Lewis Hamilton joked that he was older than them both combined.
‘Never say never’ – Will Ferrari keep their world title hopes alive?
With George Russell failing to score in the last two races, Hamilton sits second in the drivers’ championship ahead of his former Mercedes team-mate ahead of this weekend’s race in Barcelona.
But the seven-time champion’s points deficit over leader Antonelli, who has won the last five races, is significant at 66 points.
Hamilton downplayed the chances of Ferrari quickly fixing its engine deficits despite receiving two development upgrades this year under the sport’s ADUO regulations, but believed it could build on the Rubals aerodynamically.
“On title alone, we can still outperform people in the way we develop the car. Our car is very good. The downforce package we have is really good.
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In Paddock Uncut, Craig Slater, Ted Kravitz and Harry Benjamin react to the news that the FIA admitted Monaco’s punishment was likely inaccurate after Alpine’s appeal was upheld.
“We need to double down on progress and make sure we are always one step ahead in terms of progress, so we can get through corners faster and catch up on any deficits we might lose on the straights, and improve efficiency – for example, improving drag to close the speed gap.
“There are so many different things happening on all these different tracks. Never say never. We’ll keep pushing and give it absolutely everything.”
Sky Sports F1 Barcelona-Catalunya GP Schedule
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Ahead of this weekend’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, we look back at some of the most dramatic moments from previous races on the circuit.
Friday, June 12th
8:50 AM: F3 practice
10am: F2 practice
12:00 PM: Barcelona-Catalunya GP Practice 1 (session starts at 12:30 PM)
1:55 PM: F3 qualifying
2.50pm: F2 qualifying
3.35pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP practice 2 (session starts at 4pm)*
5:30 PM: F1 Show
6:30 PM: Team leader press conference
Saturday, June 13th
9 AM: F3 Sprint
11:15 a.m.: Barcelona-Catalunya GP practice 3 (session starts at 11:30 a.m.)
1:10 PM: F2 Sprint*
2.15pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP qualifying build-up*
3pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP Qualifying*
5 p.m.: Ted’s Qualifying Notes
Sunday, June 14th
7:35 AM: F3 Feature Race
9:05 a.m.: Porsche Supercup
10:20 AM: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP build-up: Sunday Grand Prix*
2 p.m.: Barcelona-Catalonia Grand Prix*
4pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP reaction: Checkered flag
5 p.m.: Ted’s Notes
*Applies to Sky Sports main event as well
Formula 1 is in Spain for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No Commitment, Cancel Anytime
