Lewis Hamilton doesn't see Formula 1 brand affected by negativity surrounding 2026 cars

Formula 1 has introduced a raft of changes in 2026 affecting both the chassis and power unit sides of the cars, and while the new cars have dropped ground effect and have become lighter and smaller, their power units have turned out to be a massive flop.

Delivering power on a 50-50 basis from an internal combustion engine and an electric component, the new power units have turned out to be power deprived, with their battery packs unable to deliver the required power over the course of a full lap, which means drivers will have to overly manage while driving.

That means corners are no longer taken at the limit as they become "charging stations", according to Fernando Alonso, with the full power of the power unit reserved for the straights.

The racing is not better, as aside from Yoyo overtakes based on battery charge status, things haven't been looking good. There were some overtakes in the season-opening race in Melbourne when teams were still finding ways to be efficient with their battery management, but then numbers dropped in Shanghai and Suzuka.

As such, the new regulations have come under attack from drivers, aside from Mercedes', and the fans, aside from the Drive to Survive ones who know nothing about racing, as the sport's management continues to be in denial, with CEO Stefano Domenicali sticking his head in the sand.

But how will this negativity affect the Formula 1 brand? Hamilton explains: "Visually, brand-wise, it has the most income it's ever had.

"The F1 movie has done amazingly with an Oscar," he pointed out about the flick he helped produce. "It's just in a really good time where lots of people are watching, and we're actually having some battles as opposed to the sessions where you're just watching cars going around each time.

"Everyone's going to have an opinion every time you change a car," the Briton went on. "Some people don't like it; you can't please everybody.

"If our car all of a sudden turns to a nightmare to drive, maybe it won't be as enjoyable, but the fact is we're having a good fight with the chance to fight for wins.

"That's always a part of it," Hamilton, who is enjoying an encouraging start to his second season with Ferrari, concluded. (Reporting by Agnes Carlier)