Hamilton: Maiden Ferrari F1 win "couldn't be closer" after "begging" for changes which are paying off

Lewis Hamilton, 41, is second in the 2026 Formula 1 championship standings after six rounds, crediting a turnaround to changes he 'begged' for including a new race engineer and input into car development under team boss Fred Vasseur. Hamilton endured a podium-less 2025 debut season with Ferrari, finishing 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc, but the 2026 regulation switch to nimbler cars has revitalised him. He has recorded consecutive runner-up finishes behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli and says his maiden Ferrari victory 'couldn't be closer.'