Lewis Hamilton Faces Ferrari Camp Reshuffle as 2026 Developments Take Shape
Lewis Hamilton’s transition into a new phase of his Formula 1 career continues to gather momentum, with fresh changes emerging from within the seven-time world champion’s inner circle. As Hamilton prepares for the evolving landscape of Formula 1 and his long-term ambitions with Ferrari, reports indicate that his management and communications setup has undergone another notable shake-up.
It has emerged that Hamilton has parted ways with long-time manager Marc Hynes for a second time. The pair initially worked together from 2015 to 2021, a period that coincided with some of the most successful years of Hamilton’s illustrious career, including multiple world championships with Mercedes. Hynes later returned to Hamilton’s camp in a senior role linked to Project 44, but their professional relationship has now reportedly come to an end once again.
Sources close to the situation suggest that the split was amicable, with no public fallout or dispute between the two parties. However, the decision highlights Hamilton’s ongoing efforts to recalibrate his support structure as he navigates the latter stages of his career and adapts to Ferrari’s environment. Alongside the separation from Hynes, Hamilton is also believed to have made adjustments to his public relations team as he heads toward the 2025 season, signalling a broader strategic reset off the track.
The reshuffle comes at a pivotal time for Hamilton, who is balancing life at Ferrari with preparations for the sport’s major regulation overhaul in 2026. That season is expected to redefine Formula 1, with sweeping changes to power units, aerodynamics, and energy deployment. For a driver of Hamilton’s stature, ensuring stability and clarity behind the scenes could prove just as important as performance on the circuit.
While Hamilton fine-tunes his personal setup, the wider Formula 1 paddock is embroiled in fresh controversy surrounding the 2026 engine regulations. Red Bull and Mercedes have both found themselves at the centre of debate after claims surfaced suggesting the two powerhouses may be exploiting a potential loophole in the new rules.
At the heart of the issue lies the compression ratio of the internal combustion engine. Under the current regulations, engines operate with a compression ratio of 18:1, but this figure has been reduced to 16:1 for the upcoming rule cycle. Allegations have circulated that Mercedes and Red Bull could be pushing the boundaries of these limits through innovative interpretations of the regulations.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was quick to respond to the accusations, strongly rejecting any suggestion of wrongdoing. Horner emphasised that both Mercedes High Performance Powertrains and Red Bull Powertrains are operating fully within the framework set out by the FIA. According to Horner, all static tests conducted so far show compliance with the mandated 16:1 compression ratio, as required by the regulations.
He further explained that the complexity of modern hybrid power units inevitably leads to misunderstandings when technical details emerge in the public domain. Horner argued that innovation has always been a cornerstone of Formula 1, and that creative engineering should not automatically be conflated with cheating.
The FIA has not indicated that any rules have been broken, and there is currently no formal investigation into either manufacturer. Nonetheless, the controversy underlines just how fiercely competitive the development race has already become, despite the 2026 regulations still being over a year away from full implementation.
As teams push the limits of what is possible under the new rules, scrutiny from rivals and fans alike is only expected to intensify. For Hamilton, the convergence of internal changes and external technical debates sets the backdrop for what could be one of the most defining periods of his career—both on and off the track.
