Lewis Hamilton Concentrates on Ferrari's Fight for Second in F1 Constructors Championship
In Mexico City, Lewis Hamilton acknowledges that winning the Formula One drivers’ title this season is no longer possible. Instead, his attention has shifted to helping Ferrari claim second place in the constructors’ championship—a step up from last year and a foundation for future success.
With five races left in the 2026 season, including the Mexico Grand Prix, Hamilton sits just behind his rival George Russell of Mercedes, holding 241 points compared to Russell’s 242. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli has nearly sealed the championship with 365 points.
"Second place is not something I focus on. Winning the championship is the only thing I care about," Hamilton said on Thursday.
After spending 12 years at Mercedes and winning six world titles there, Hamilton joined Ferrari last year aiming to bring the team back to the top. The team finished fourth in 2025.
"There’s a good vibe and more energy this season," Hamilton remarked. "Last year wasn’t much fun for any of us. We’ve come a long way."
Ferrari currently holds a 119-point lead over Red Bull and McLaren in the battle for second place, thanks to strong finishes in recent races. Hamilton earned third place at the Bahrain Grand Prix, while his teammate Charles Leclerc secured third in Singapore and the United States.
"In the Constructors Championship, both drivers have reached the podium over the last three races—between Charles and me, we’ve come a long way. And this is just the beginning; there’s more to come," Hamilton said.
Historically, Ferrari has had 16 world champion drivers and won 15 Constructors Championships. Their last drivers’ champion was Kimi Räikkönen in 2007, and the last Constructors title came in 2008.
Hamilton emphasized his commitment to securing second place this year: "My sole focus is making sure to secure second place in the Constructors Championship—the team deserves it. It’s a huge improvement over last year and something we can build on for next year."
The remaining races after Mexico are Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
"After this weekend, I will use the races as a test for next year’s championship—looking at how we can improve the car," Hamilton added. "That is my sole focus: ensuring we have the right brakes for next year and confirming that our engine outperforms the others."
