P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton has raised concerns over the speed and drivability of F1’s new smaller, lighter cars following a challenging morning at the wheel in Bahrain.
Lewis Hamilton expressed concerns over the speed and handling of Formula 1’s new smaller, lighter cars during a challenging morning in Bahrain, where he struggled with incidents and a 360-degree spin. Despite difficulties, he handed the car to teammate Charles Leclerc for the afternoon session, finishing a second behind Max Verstappen. Hamilton stated the new cars felt dramatically slower with less downforce, making them easier to catch and likening the experience to rallying. Reflecting on wind conditions affecting his performance, he found the new cars more enjoyable to drive but admitted the complexity of the 2026 energy management systems could confuse fans. Overall, Hamilton has yet to fully adapt to the new regulations and is still adjusting to the different characteristics of the cars.
