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Hamilton and Ferrari Serious Title Contenders, Russell Hails Surge
Following his victory in Barcelona, George Russell views former teammate Lewis Hamilton as a major title threat, while Fernando Alonso's F1 future is also brought into focus.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-06-25T16:56:17.000Z - 2 min read
Following his recent victory at Barcelona-Catalunya, Lewis Hamilton is being billed as a serious title contender for the current Formula 1 season. At least according to Mercedes driver George Russell, who has admired Hamilton's performances in recent races. The seven-time world champion has found his footing at Ferrari after a difficult start.
Russell stresses that those who previously wrote Hamilton off—some even branding him too old—are now being proven wrong. According to the Mercedes driver, raw skill does not simply evaporate; it is all about alignment between driver, team, and car. Hamilton himself confirms that a title fight is not out of the question, though it will require maximum effort from everyone within the team.
From a technical perspective, Ferrari boasts an excellent chassis this year, even if the engine still lags behind rivals. An initial engine upgrade scheduled for the upcoming race weekend in Austria will partially bridge the gap, but Hamilton notes it will not close it entirely. Hamilton's recent surge is all the more impressive considering he suffered a severe neck injury during testing last year, when a herniated disc pressed against a nerve.
Elsewhere in the paddock, Fernando Alonso reaffirmed his commitment to Aston Martin. Despite rumors of interest from rival teams, his ambition remains unmistakable: he wants to win a world championship with Aston Martin, whether behind the wheel or in another role. The arrival of Adrian Newey and the partnership with Honda give him confidence that the team will eventually challenge for titles. Meanwhile, Red Bull hopes to rejoin the fight at the front this weekend with a significant chassis upgrade following a less competitive start to the campaign.
Regarding his own racing future beyond this season, the Spaniard has yet to make a final call. A decision is expected around the August summer break, potentially following the races at Zandvoort and Monza. The motivation and pace are still there, Alonso emphasizes, but whether that translates into extending his Formula 1 career depends on various factors, including his enjoyment of the current regulations and power units.