When Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and even Grand Prix Drivers’ Association directors George Russell and Carlos Sainz criticised Formula 1 new 2026 regulations following a chaotic season opener at the Australian Grand Prix, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton stood out as one of the few voices defending them.
Hamilton, who finished fourth in Melbourne, is perhaps the biggest figure in the sport to publicly support the 2026 engine overhaul. Despite missing out on a podium spot to his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in a race won by Russell, the 41-year-old said he thoroughly enjoyed driving under the new rules.
“I personally loved it,” Hamilton said about the regulations while speaking to the media ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.
“I thought the race was really fun to drive. I thought the car was really, really fun to drive.”
For around 12 laps during the Australian Grand Prix, Ferrari appeared to be in control as Hamilton and Leclerc held the top two positions and seemed to have the upper hand over Mercedes. However, the race turned after Ferrari missed the opportunity to pit during the Virtual Safety Car period. That mistake allowed Russell and Kimi Antonelli to reclaim the lead and eventually secure a dominant 1–2 finish.
Round one done. Positive first race. We’ve got much more in the locker …. Bring on China ✌🏾🛫 pic.twitter.com/kOPqP6cOn4
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) March 8, 2026
“I watched the cars ahead; there was good battling back and forth. So yeah, so far, so good,” Hamilton added.
Lewis Hamilton vs Others on F1 2026 New Rules
Hamilton’s view goes totally against the reaction of four-time world champion Verstappen, who had a disastrous qualifying session in Melbourne after crashing before completing a lap.
“We just want the best for the sport. It’s not that we are critical just for the sake of being critical. We are critical for a reason,” Verstappen said.
“We want it to be Formula 1—proper Formula 1 on steroids—but today, again, that was not the case.”
The criticism is not limited to Verstappen. Defending champion Norris has also raised safety concerns about the new regulations.
Also Read: Lewis Hamilton Finds ‘Positives’ For Ferrari Despite Mercedes’ 1–2 Finish at Australian GP 2026
“Depending on what drivers do, you can have closing speeds of 30–50 kph, and when someone hits another driver at that speed you are going to fly and go over the fence and do a lot of damage to yourself and maybe to others,” Norris said.
“That’s a pretty horrible thing to think about.”
Despite hearing these concerns from fellow drivers, Hamilton remained firm in his support for the new era of Formula 1.
“I don’t know,” the 105-time Grand Prix winner said when asked about the criticism. “You’d have to ask them. For me, I thought it was awesome.”
“But again, they were all further down the field. With 20 cars ahead of you it may have seemed different, but in my position I thought it was great.”
The Chinese Grand Prix will be held this weekend, March 15 and will have the first Sprint race of the season on Saturday, March 14.
