Ferrari Backs Hamilton’s Setup Shift While Perez and Bottas Eye Cadillac Seats in F1 2026
Formula 1 is buzzing with significant updates as Ferrari doubles down on supporting Lewis Hamilton’s evolving setup strategy, while former stars Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas emerge as frontrunners for Cadillac’s debut in 2026. With the 2025 season hitting its midpoint, Ferrari deputy team boss Jerome Dambrosio has confirmed that the seven-time world champion will continue adopting Charles Leclerc’s oversteering setup for the SF-25, a move aimed at boosting his performance despite a podium drought. Meanwhile, Perez and Bottas, both ousted from their 2024 seats, are advancing in contract talks with Cadillac, signaling a potential powerhouse lineup for the American newcomer. As the sport gears up for a transformative 2026, these developments are reshaping team dynamics and driver futures.
Hamilton’s adjustment to Leclerc’s setup marks a pivotal shift after a challenging first half of 2025. Despite Ferrari trailing McLaren in the constructors’ standings, Leclerc has secured multiple podiums, including a standout P2 in Monaco, thanks to an oversteering configuration that suits the SF-25’s narrow operating window. Hamilton, who has yet to podium this season but finished fourth in Austria and Silverstone, has embraced this approach, accepting increased tire wear to unlock the car’s potential. Dambrosio, quoted by RacingNews365, emphasized, “To extract the maximum from the car, there is a certain need in terms of balance,” highlighting Hamilton’s progress. This strategic pivot, driven by the current regulations’ demand for handling “nervousness on entry,” positions Hamilton for a potential breakthrough, with experts predicting a podium soon as he closes the gap on Leclerc’s consistency.
Across the paddock, Cadillac’s entry as F1’s 11th team in 2026 is heating up the driver market. Perez, dropped by Red Bull after the 2024 season, and Bottas, now Mercedes’ reserve driver post-Sauber, are in advanced negotiations with the American outfit. Both bring proven pedigree—Perez with multiple Red Bull wins and a constructors’ title contribution in 2021, and Bottas with 10 victories and five constructors’ championships alongside Hamilton. Reports suggest a Perez-Bottas pairing is a “real possibility,” offering Cadillac a wealth of experience to navigate its debut season with Ferrari-sourced power units. Perez has reportedly met Cadillac bosses face-to-face, avoiding the British GP paddock, while Bottas, despite Alpine’s interest, leans toward a long-term Cadillac deal, drawn by the team’s ambitious vision.
This veteran duo could be a masterstroke for Cadillac, a team eager to leverage seasoned drivers amid a rookie-heavy grid. However, some speculate Cadillac might opt for a youth-experience mix, with names like Zhou Guanyu or Jack Doohan in contention. Bottas’s recent private tests with Mercedes and Perez’s proactive negotiations underscore their determination to return, especially as Alpine struggles with its second seat following Franco Colapinto and Jack Doohan’s inconsistent 2025 performances. The 2026 regulation overhaul adds urgency, making experienced hands like Perez and Bottas attractive for Cadillac’s learning curve.
As Ferrari refines its strategy with Hamilton and Cadillac shapes its lineup, F1’s landscape is shifting. Hamilton’s setup tweak could reignite his title challenge, while Perez and Bottas’s potential reunion promises a compelling narrative. With the season resuming at the Hungarian GP on July 20, 2025, fans are eagerly awaiting how these moves will unfold, potentially redefining the sport’s competitive order in the years ahead.
