Lewis Hamilton believes Formula One's newest generation of cars are more enjoyable to drive, though questions over Mercedes' interpretation of new engine regulations have caused controversy. 

The 2026 F1 season will be the first to take place under sweeping rule changes, with cars adopting a narrower chassis and conventional floors to reduce downforce.

The previous set of regulations, which ran from 2022 to 2025 and featured ground-effect aerodynamics, coincided with the least successful period of Hamilton's career.

But following a demoralising debut campaign with Ferrari in 2025, the seven-time drivers' champion set the fastest lap time during a week-long testing session in Barcelona.

And Hamilton believes the changes have been refreshing, telling Sky Sports: "The car generation is actually a little bit more fun to drive.

"It's oversteery and snappy and sliding, but it's a little bit easier to catch, and I would definitely say more enjoyable."

Giving the people what they want  pic.twitter.com/Rt0u28OxVP

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 2, 2026

Another change implemented for this year concerns the compression ratio of engines, which have been reduced in order to enable new power unit manufacturers to compete with established providers.

However, several teams have suggested that Mercedes and Red Bull have found means to achieve higher performance when engines are hot, and thus, after the compression ratio is tested.

Ahead of Mercedes' season launch event on Monday, team principal Toto Wolff hit back at suggestions the regulations should be tweaked again.

"When it comes to the engine question, I just don't understand why some teams concentrate more on others and keep arguing a case that is very clear and transparent," Wolff said. 

"Communication with the FIA was very positive all along... and it's not only on compression ratio, but on other things too.

"And specifically in that area, it's very clear what the regulations say. It's very clear what the, let's say, standard procedures are on any motors, even outside of Formula One.

"So just get your s*** together, instead of doing secret meetings and sending secret letters and trying to invent ways of testing that just don't exist. 

"At least from us here, we are trying to minimise distractions and minimising distractions is looking more at us than at everybody else, when it's pretty clear what the regs say."

The Australian Grand Prix will raise the curtain on the 2026 F1 season on March 8, with Shanghai the venue for the second race one week later.