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Fittipaldi Backs Hamilton for Title Fight as Ferrari Turnaround Takes Shape
Two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi believes smaller 2026 cars and technical familiarity have re-energised Lewis Hamilton's championship challenge at Ferrari.
By Lesley Bakker - 2026-08-11T10:07:38.000Z - 2 min read
Early skepticism regarding Lewis Hamilton's transition to Ferrari has steadily faded, with two-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi pointing to the Briton's strong first half of the 2026 season as clear evidence of his enduring speed. Holding second place in the drivers' championship, Hamilton has built a far firmer foundation in Maranello following a demanding debut campaign alongside Charles Leclerc.
Watching Hamilton re-establish his authority at the front of the grid carries personal weight for Fittipaldi. Questions about an older driver's sharpness are familiar territory for the Brazilian, who experienced similar external criticism during the closing chapters of his own racing career across Formula 1 and IndyCar.
Speaking to F1.com, Fittipaldi voiced his pleasure at seeing both Hamilton and Ferrari operating at competitive speeds once again. He highlighted how quickly public perception turns when a veteran driver endures a difficult stretch, noting that critics often rush to write off proven winners before full context is considered.
A major factor in Hamilton's momentum, Fittipaldi explained, stems from the physical and aerodynamic traits of the 2026 car generation. With smaller chassis dimensions and lower overall downforce levels than previous iterations, the current machinery presents a trickier handling balance that demands raw driving sensitivity.
Fittipaldi believes these technical demands play directly to Hamilton's natural car control and refined instincts. Coupled with a full year of familiarity with Ferrari's engineering staff and internal processes, that driver feel has enabled the seven-time champion to unlock greater consistency.
Looking toward the second half of the year, Fittipaldi hopes Hamilton can maintain his championship pressure and force a genuine title duel between Ferrari and his former team, Mercedes. A sustained battle at the front would, in his assessment, provide an ideal showcase for the sport.
Fittipaldi also credited Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, recalling their past working relationship when Vasseur's ART Grand Prix team ran Fittipaldi's A1 Team Brazil entry. Having witnessed Vasseur's management style firsthand, the Brazilian remains confident in the team principal's ability to guide Maranello through a high-stakes championship run.