Lewis Hamilton believes Formula 1 has become “much more fun” this season, describing the current racing as the most enjoyable of his career.
Now driving for Ferrari, the seven-time world champion pointed to his recent battle with team-mate Charles Leclerc in China as a highlight. He called it his best on-track duel since racing against Nico Rosberg back in 2014.
According to Hamilton, the back-and-forth nature of racing this season is how Formula 1 should feel, with drivers able to challenge repeatedly rather than races being decided in a single move.
New rules changing racing style
The shift comes after major regulation changes this season, particularly with engines now split evenly between combustion and electric power.
This has introduced energy management as a key factor, leading to what many describe as “yo-yo racing” — where drivers overtake and re-overtake due to varying energy levels across a lap.
Hamilton compared it to karting, saying such close and continuous battles represent the purest form of racing. He also highlighted that the current cars allow drivers to follow each other more closely at high speed without losing grip, something that was difficult in previous eras.
Mixed reactions across the grid
Not all drivers share Hamilton’s enthusiasm. Max Verstappen has been less convinced, pointing out that while minor tweaks may help, the fundamental issues remain.
Meanwhile, world champion Lando Norris acknowledged that iconic tracks like Suzuka Circuit may lose some of their traditional challenge due to energy-saving requirements.
Drivers now need to carefully manage throttle input and energy recovery, particularly during qualifying laps, which has slightly reduced the intensity of pushing cars to their absolute limits.
FIA tweaks and future changes
In response to concerns, FIA has already introduced minor adjustments, reducing the energy recovery limit for the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
The aim is to allow drivers to push harder during qualifying without excessive energy-saving compromises. Further discussions are ongoing, with potential improvements expected later in the season.
Hamilton confident and motivated
Beyond the technical debate, Hamilton also addressed his own form. After a challenging previous season, he credited a change in mindset for his improved performances this year.
He dismissed outside criticism and emphasised his commitment, revealing he has been training harder than ever — even clocking extensive running sessions between races.
The British driver insisted he has not lost his edge and remains fully focused on competing at the highest level. With renewed motivation and a competitive car, Hamilton believes both he and the sport are entering an exciting phase.
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