Ahead of his sophomore season as a Ferrari driver, Lewis Hamilton has a spring in his step once again. A dreadful first year in red has been cast from the seven-time Formula 1 world champion's mind as he looks to truly kick-start his Scuderia career.

As one former F1 driver has told Express Sport, the 41-year-old is "full of enthusiasm". But that same ex-racer has also expressed doubts over Hamilton's chances of being able to finally fight for the eighth title he is looking for before he retires.

Ferrari looked strong in pre-season testing, especially off the line. It is suspected that they have used a smaller turbocharger in their new engines which may sacrifice some speed, but has led to them being able to jump off the start line much quicker than their rivals.

Yet, they are not the bookies' pre-season favourites. Hamilton's former employer Mercedes and his old team-mate George Russell are the ones being tipped for title glory this year, while the likes of defending champion Lando Norris and four-time title winner Max Verstappen are also strong candidates.

And former F1 racer Christian Danner thinks it's "rather unlikely" we'll see Hamilton secure a fairytale success in 2026. Speaking to Express Sport via Stake, he said of Ferrari: "From what I've seen in testing, I don't think they're in a position to make any serious impression on the opposition.

"Therefore, [Hamilton] might win a race or two, but I don't think he's in a position to go for the title, simply because he doesn't have a car that gives them a chance to actually win consistently, which is necessary if you want to win the championship.

"So I think it's rather unlikely. Is he going to throw the towel in? At the moment, I get the impression that he's full of enthusiasm. However, the way he expresses himself, that the car has got his own DNA and so forth, I found that quite remarkable."

Danner was referring to quotes from Hamilton from last month which gave the impression the Brit is delighted to finally be driving a Ferrari car in the development of which he has had some say.

He said: "Last year we were locked into a car that ultimately I inherited. This is a car that I've been able to be a part of developing on the simulator for the last 10 months and so a bit of my DNA is within it. I'm more connected to this one for sure."

But Danner has his doubts over how much of a say Hamilton would have actually had. He added: "Being a driver, you let the engineers know what you want, but it's usually the engineers and the chief engineer, or the chief designer, or the technical director, whoever, who initiates the DNA of a Formula 1 racing car.

"The driver has influence, and I'm sure that he could implement his ideas of what he wanted as a result in balance and drivability and all the rest of the things, yes. But is it his own DNA? I have my doubts.

"So he's very enthusiastic, which I think is fantastic. He has clearly decided for himself to get rid of 2025. It's as if it had never happened, which is the right approach. New regulations, new season.

"I think he's done the right things as far as motivation is concerned and the psychological situation within the team and within himself. Don't get me wrong, he's done that perfectly right. He can start from scratch, and he's going to do that full of enthusiasm."

And Danner also believe this might be the last we see of Hamilton in F1 if it proves to be another challenging year. He said: "The question is, where is the border between, 'No, thank you, I've finally had enough', and, 'It's looking really good, and if I hang in there, I might get the success I'm after in the following year'?

"We can only find out during the season. I think Lewis is actually hoping that success is going to come, and therefore he can continue. I'm pretty sure he loves racing, and he's going to hang in there if it's sensible."