In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where every tenth of a second is scrutinized and every word is weighed, Lewis Hamilton’s confession of feeling “useless” sent shockwaves through the paddock. The seven-time world champion, now donning the iconic Ferrari red, has had a tumultuous start to his tenure with the Italian team. But just as the whispers of his decline began to grow louder, Flavio Briatore, a man whose instincts have shaped F1 history, dropped a bombshell prediction that has turned the narrative on its head. Is Hamilton’s struggle a sign of the end, or is it the quiet before a storm that will redefine his legacy?

The 2025 season has been a far cry from the fairytale debut that fans had envisioned for Hamilton at Ferrari. His voice, once a calm and calculating presence on the team radio, has become a soundtrack of frustration. The admission of feeling “useless” after a miscommunication on tire strategy in Australia was a rare glimpse into the psyche of a champion under pressure. On paper, his performance has been underwhelming, with his average qualifying position lagging behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc, and a noticeable deficit in race pace. The SF25, with its inconsistent rear stability, has clashed with Hamilton’s driving style, forcing him to fight the car rather than flow with it.

For any other driver, such a start might signal a career in its twilight. But for Hamilton, history suggests that moments of profound struggle are often the precursors to his greatest triumphs. This is where Briatore’s prediction gains its weight. Speaking on Italian radio, the former Renault team boss, who orchestrated Fernando Alonso’s back-to-back championships, declared that “next year, everything will change.” He believes that Hamilton’s current issues are not a permanent decline but a temporary mismatch between man and machine—a mismatch that the radical 2026 regulation changes are set to correct.

The 2026 season will usher in the most significant technical reset since the dawn of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014. The new power units will shift to 50% electric power, with sustainable fuels and simplified turbocharging systems. This change could level the playing field, closing the gap to the dominant teams and playing directly into Hamilton’s strengths. His mastery has always been in energy deployment, braking efficiency, and tire preservation—qualities that will become paramount in this new era of energy-limited racing.

Aerodynamically, the cars will be smaller, with reduced downforce and drag, placing a greater emphasis on driver feel and adaptability. These are the exact conditions where Hamilton has historically excelled. His ability to balance an unstable car was the foundation of his dominance in the wet at Silverstone, in the chaos of Istanbul, and during Mercedes’s early struggles in 2014. The cars may be slower in outright pace, but they will demand a driver who can improvise and adapt mid-corner—Hamilton’s signature skillset.

This isn’t the first time Hamilton has faced such a challenge. In 2013, his first year at Mercedes, he was a driver adrift. He managed a single victory and finished fourth in the championship, frustrated by a car that was harsh on its tires. The paddock consensus was that he had made a career-ending mistake by leaving McLaren for a midfield team. Yet, one year later, with the introduction of the turbo-hybrid power units, the narrative flipped. Hamilton’s adaptability and precision turned Mercedes’s technical advantage into dynastic dominance, and the decision that once seemed reckless was suddenly hailed as prophetic.

The parallels to his current situation at Ferrari are striking. His qualifying deficit to Leclerc is eerily similar to his deficit to Nico Rosberg in 2013. The whispers about whether he fits his new team are growing louder, just as they did back then. But history has shown that Hamilton is a driver who thrives when the rulebook is rewritten. Briatore’s shift in tone, from questioning Hamilton’s signing to predicting his resurgence, suggests that those in the corridors of power are recalibrating their expectations for his Ferrari tenure.

Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton was always about more than just lap times. It was a gamble on a legend, a belief that his experience and star power could elevate the team to championship glory. It was a move reminiscent of their pursuit of Michael Schumacher in 1996 and Fernando Alonso in 2010. But the gamble has come at a cost, forcing Leclerc into the role of a benchmark and creating a tense intra-team dynamic. If the 2026 reset doesn’t go their way, the decision could backfire spectacularly.

However, if Briatore is right and Ferrari can deliver a car that suits Hamilton’s strengths, the championship picture could change dramatically. At 41 years old, this represents Hamilton’s final realistic window to chase an eighth world title and move beyond Schumacher’s record. The mathematics are compelling. If Hamilton can return to regular podium contention, Ferrari could significantly increase their points haul, closing the gap to their rivals. In a compressed field, a driver with Hamilton’s tactical awareness becomes a multiplier, turning marginal gains into decisive results.

The entire paddock is watching with bated breath. McLaren, the current front-runners, are cautiously aware that the 2026 reset could undo their dominance. Red Bull, facing their own internal turbulence, knows that the new regulations could expose them. Even the FIA is watching closely, as political maneuvering could determine who adapts first. The perception in the paddock is that Hamilton is the driver most capable of maximizing a regulation reset. If Ferrari gives him a competitive car, his racecraft could swing the balance of a championship.

Briatore’s prediction is more than just commentary; it’s a warning shot to the rest of the grid. The order of 2025 cannot be assumed in 2026. Hamilton’s struggles may be real, but his psychology is that of a champion who has faced adversity and emerged stronger. His admission of feeling “useless” may not be a verdict but a diagnosis—the starting point of a process that has historically led to breakthroughs. The final question remains: is this optimism grounded in reality, or is it the last great gamble of a legendary career? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the world will be watching.