Hamilton's Ferrari Move: What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond
As Formula 1 prepares for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, fans are eager to understand what Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari could mean for the Scuderia's competitiveness. BBC Sport's F1 correspondent Andrew Benson addresses the key questions surrounding the seven-time world champion's highly anticipated arrival at Maranello.

With the Australian Grand Prix marking the start of the 2026 season, there is widespread intrigue about one of motorsport's most significant transfers: Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari. To help fans navigate the expectations and possibilities surrounding this landmark partnership, BBC Sport's Andrew Benson, the corporation's lead Formula 1 correspondent, has fielded reader questions ahead of the opening round.
The Hamilton-Ferrari pairing has captured the imagination of the global F1 community, prompting numerous inquiries about the realistic outlook for the partnership. Benson's Q&A format provides insight into the factors that will likely determine whether this union can deliver championship success or face the challenges that have plagued the Scuderia in recent years.
From performance projections to team dynamics, the correspondent tackles the questions that matter most to Formula 1 enthusiasts as they look ahead to what could prove to be a defining chapter in both Hamilton's illustrious career and Ferrari's quest for sustained success at the sport's highest level. The Australian Grand Prix presents the perfect vantage point from which to assess the early signs of this momentous partnership.
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BBC Sport F1
Related Regulations
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Full Regulation Text
Article C1.1
Formula One World Championship
Chapter: ARTICLE C1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
In Simple Terms
The FIA (motorsport's governing body) runs the Formula 1 World Championship, which is their property. The championship awards two titles each year: one to the best driver and one to the best team (constructor). It's made up of all the races on the F1 calendar throughout the season.
- The FIA owns and organizes the entire F1 World Championship
- Two world titles are awarded annually: Driver's Championship and Constructor's Championship
- The championship consists of all official Formula One Grand Prix races scheduled on the F1 calendar
- F1 is a competition between both individual drivers and their teams
Official FIA Text
The FIA will organise the FIA Formula One World Championship which is the property of the FIA and comprises two titles of World Champion, one for drivers and one for constructors. It consists of the Formula One Grand Prix races included in the Formula One calendar.
Article B8.2.3
Additional Power Unit Units
Chapter: B8
In Simple Terms
In 2026, drivers get one extra Power Unit component for free if their engine manufacturer is brand new to F1 that season. This is a one-time allowance to help new manufacturers get up to speed without penalty concerns.
- New Power Unit manufacturers in 2026 get one additional allocation of each engine component
- This concession only applies to manufacturers in their first year of supplying F1 engines
- The extra unit applies to all Power Unit elements defined in Article B8.2.2
- This is a regulatory allowance, not a penalty relief measure
Official FIA Text
Each driver will be permitted to use an additional unit for each of the Power Unit elements in Article B8.2.2 in the 2026 Championship if the Power Unit is supplied by a PU Manufacturer in its first year of supplying Power Units.
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