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Ferrari's prospects of challenging for Formula 1 glory this year have dramatically improved. Yet Lewis Hamilton has long suggested better times were coming based on his earlier comments refusing to settle for second best.

It was halfway through the Briton's disappointing first year at Maranello that Hamilton delivered a defiant statement about his Ferrari career. While his arrival in Italy sparked enormous anticipation, it soon became apparent Hamilton's quest for an eighth world championship in Ferrari red would not be plain sailing.

He concluded his maiden Ferrari campaign in sixth position and failed to secure a single podium finish. That's in stark contrast to team-mate Charles Leclerc, who managed six podium finishes to indicate the SF-25, Ferrari's 2025 car, was capable of competing after all.

With the eagerly anticipated 2026 F1 regulations now taking effect, the playing field has shifted for every team heading into the new season. And after recording the fastest time during the first week of testing in Barcelona, there's growing belief this new campaign could spark an imminent U-turn in the team's fortunes this season.

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Rewind to last summer when Hamilton offered a defiant assessment of the situation despite Ferrari's difficulties. And his fighting spirit was evident even then.

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"If you look at the team over the last 20 years, they've had amazing drivers," the 41-year-old said in July 2025. "You've had Kimi [Raikkonen], you've had Fernando [Alonso], you've had Sebastian [Vettel], all world champions, however they didn't win a world championship and I refuse for that to be the case with me, so I'm going the extra mile."

While it may not have delivered results in 2025, much of the groundwork laid last season could still pay dividends for Ferrari. And the initial signs suggest 2026 has the potential to be a far more fruitful year.

Hamilton's previous team, Mercedes, garnered significant attention at Catalunya after completing 500 laps throughout the past week. Yet Ferrari was among the other major talking points thanks to its impressive pace around the circuit.

There has been considerable discussion about the new F1 regulations, primarily concerning modifications to power unit supply and aerodynamics. However, Leclerc expressed optimism regarding Ferrari's showing in Barcelona.

"I think there's a lot of excitement, not only in Ferrari but I think around the whole paddock," said the Monegasque. "It's an exciting time for Formula 1."

Following a fourth-place finish in last year's constructor championship, Ferrari have much to prove as they seek to re-establish themselves as a title contender. And despite his advancing years, Hamilton could still play a crucial role in achieving that objective.

After the worst season of his F1 career, the seven-time champion is under enormous pressure to bring his team up to speed with the front-runners. Despite a dip in results, it's unlikely Hamilton has lost any of the hunger that made him arguably the most successful driver in the history of the sport.