Fresh from claiming his maiden Formula 1 World Championship, Lando Norris has expressed unwavering confidence in Lewis Hamilton’s ability to bounce back from a difficult debut season at Ferrari. The McLaren driver, who became Britain’s latest F1 champion in Abu Dhabi, believes the 2026 season will provide Hamilton with the opportunity to prove his move to the Scuderia was the right decision.

Faith in Hamilton’s Comeback

« We’ve had a good amount of battles already. I would love to race a bit more with Lewis, » Norris told Sky Sports F1. « Obviously, Ferrari struggled a lot more this year than I think everyone was expecting. »

The 26-year-old didn’t mince words in his assessment of Hamilton’s capabilities, offering perhaps the strongest endorsement possible from a reigning world champion.

Hamilton’s Challenging Ferrari Debut

The 2025 season marked an unprecedented low point in Hamilton’s illustrious career. For the first time since entering Formula 1 in 2007, the seven-time world champion failed to secure a single podium finish throughout an entire campaign.

Hamilton’s best results came with four fourth-place finishes, while he ended the season sixth in the Drivers’ Championship with 156 points—his lowest total since the current points system was introduced in 2010. The 40-year-old crossed the line eighth in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a stark contrast to Norris’s celebratory third-place finish that sealed the championship.

Ferrari’s struggles extended beyond Hamilton. The team finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship and failed to win a single race all season, marking one of the most disappointing campaigns in recent Scuderia history. The SF-25 proved fundamentally uncompetitive, leaving both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc unable to fight consistently at the front.

Privilege of Racing Against Greatness

Despite Hamilton’s struggles in 2025, Norris made clear his profound respect for the opportunity to compete against one of Formula 1’s all-time greats. The reigning champion emphasized how special it is to share the grid with drivers of Hamilton’s caliber.

The McLaren driver acknowledged that a generation of younger drivers, including himself, are working to follow in the footsteps of these established champions.

« There’s a lot of us that want to climb in the footsteps of these other guys. George [Russell] and Oscar [Piastri] are two of those and there’s so many guys on the grid. »

Reflecting on Past Comments

Norris also took the opportunity to address some controversial statements he’s made about his rivals in the heat of competition. Most notably, he referenced his comment from the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix cooldown room, where he told Hamilton: « You had a fast car seven years ago. You had a quick car and now it’s us. »

Speaking after winning the 2025 title, Norris expressed regret over such remarks made in the moment.

This mature reflection from Norris demonstrates growth not just as a driver but as a public figure. The reigning champion recognizes that comments made in the immediate aftermath of intense competition don’t always reflect his true feelings or appreciation for his rivals’ achievements.

The 2026 Reset Opportunity

The introduction of sweeping new technical regulations for 2026 presents a genuine reset opportunity for all teams and drivers. The simultaneous changes to chassis and power unit rules represent the most significant overhaul Formula 1 has seen in years, potentially reshuffling the competitive order entirely.

For Hamilton and Ferrari, this represents a clean slate—a chance to start fresh with new concepts and philosophies. The struggles of 2025 could become irrelevant if Ferrari produces a competitive package under the new regulations.

Norris acknowledges this uncertainty while embracing the challenge it presents for his title defense.

Hamilton’s Birthday Message

Supporting Norris’s optimistic assessment, Hamilton himself has signaled renewed determination heading into 2026. On his 41st birthday on January 7, the seven-time champion shared a reflective message with fans via Instagram.

Hamilton acknowledged the difficulties of 2025 while expressing a reinvigorated mindset for the season ahead. He described feeling resourced and ready to approach the new year with renewed energy—a marked contrast to the dejected figure who struggled through much of the previous campaign.

The Desire for More Battles

Central to Norris’s comments is a genuine desire to race Hamilton more frequently. The Ferrari struggles in 2025 meant the two British drivers rarely found themselves fighting wheel-to-wheel, depriving fans and competitors alike of what could have been compelling battles.

« I would love to race a bit more with Lewis, » Norris emphasized, making clear his hope that 2026 will provide more opportunities for direct competition.

This sentiment reflects not just sporting ambition but appreciation for what Hamilton represents in Formula 1. For Norris, defeating Hamilton in fair combat would validate his championship credentials in a way that winning while Hamilton struggles at the back cannot.

Historical Context

Norris became McLaren’s first Drivers’ Champion since Hamilton won the 2008 title for the team, creating a direct historical link between the two British champions. This connection adds emotional weight to Norris’s comments—he has now achieved what Hamilton last accomplished for McLaren 17 years earlier.

The parallel also highlights how Hamilton’s career has spanned multiple generations of drivers. He was winning championships when Norris was still in primary school; now they compete as peers, with Norris having achieved his own championship breakthrough.

Conclusion

Lando Norris’s backing of Lewis Hamilton for a 2026 comeback reflects both sporting respect and genuine anticipation for renewed competition. The reigning champion recognizes that Hamilton’s difficult 2025 season says more about Ferrari’s struggles than the seven-time world champion’s diminishing abilities.

The 2026 technical reset provides the perfect opportunity for Hamilton to demonstrate the qualities that made him one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers. If Ferrari can produce a competitive package—and Norris clearly believes they can—Hamilton has the talent and experience to fight at the front once again.

For Norris, the prospect of defending his championship against a resurgent Hamilton represents exactly the kind of challenge he welcomes. Racing against « the best of all time » validates his own achievements and provides the ultimate test of his championship credentials.

Whether Hamilton can indeed bounce back as Norris predicts remains to be seen. But the reigning champion’s faith in « Mr Hamilton » provides a powerful endorsement from someone who knows what it takes to win at the highest level of motorsport.