Lewis Hamilton sent clear message over intense pressure to perform in 2026

With F1 edging closer to one of the biggest rule changes in its history, RacingNews365 readers were asked a simple but revealing question: which driver will face the most pressure in the 2026 season?

After three heats and a decisive grand final, the verdict is in — and Lewis Hamilton has been voted as the driver carrying the greatest weight of expectation.

Hamilton’s place at the top of the poll, in what is an overwhelming result, reflects how his much-anticipated switch to Ferrari was meant to deliver a late-career renaissance, but his first season with the Scuderia fell well short of the lofty standards he has set across nearly two decades and seven F1 drivers' championships.

At this stage of Hamilton's career, questions over form, age and legacy ensure that anything less than a clear step forward will be heavily judged.

Franco Colapinto’s presence in the final highlights a very different kind of pressure. The Alpine driver enters 2026 knowing it is no longer enough to simply show promise.

With Team Enstone undergoing major structural and technical change ahead of its switch to Mercedes power, Colapinto must establish himself as a long-term solution rather than a short-term gamble. Consistency, points finishes, and clear development will be essential if he is to secure his place in Alpine’s rebuild.

Also drawing significant attention is Isack Hadjar, whose rapid rise has brought him into one of the most unforgiving environments on the grid. A seat at Red Bull is both an opportunity and a test, especially alongside Max Verstappen.

Hadjar will be under pressure to adapt immediately, contribute meaningful results and avoid the fate of previous team-mates who struggled under constant comparison to relentless Dutchman.

Check out the full results from the Grand Final of which F1 driver is under the most pressure in 2026 below!