Dear Gossips,

We are now just four sleeps away (fewer if you’re in Australia) from the start of the new Formula 1 season and it’s a gamechanger because we’re about to see the impact of “the biggest regulation change” in F1 history which, in theory, is supposed to make races that much more competitive.

For Lewis Hamilton, 2025 was pretty much rock bottom – his first year with Ferrari, driving what he calls an “inherited” car that he never looked all that comfortable in, resulting in no podiums, the worst of his entire career. Ferrari has been impressing with the new car during testing though. Both Charles Leclerc (who also underperformed in 2025) and Lewis have been fast during training sessions, particularly with their starts, so there’s a lot of optimism as the F1 community descends on Melbourne for the weekend.

Right now, after practice sessions, Mercedes and George Russell are currently sitting #1 on the prediction lists, with Max Verstappen in second. This is a bit surprising since McLaren has had the fastest car two years in a row, with Lando Norris the reigning champion. As for Lewis, Charles, and Ferrari – good results in testing don’t necessarily translate to winning laps, but Lewis is sounding a lot more optimistic than he has in months, as he said on Instagram that:

“I’m re-set and refreshed. I’m not going anywhere, so stick with me. For a moment, I forgot who I was, but thanks to you and your support you’re not going to see that mindset again.”

I love Lewis and I love how honest he is during the highs and the lows. “For a moment, I forgot who I was” is so vulnerable and endearing…

But of course, where the gossip is concerned, that hasn’t been what anyone’s been talking about. He and Kim Kardashian were sighted in Arizona earlier this week. And now people are calling it a soft launch because they both posted similar scenic photos from their trip on IG stories.

Will Kim be in the paddock this weekend? Curious to know your thoughts on this so we’re polling it over at The Squawk today. Come join us! (App link here)

Here’s Lewis at the Lululemon store in Melbourne today. You’ll recall, weeks ago I said that it would be unlikely that he shows up in a SKIMS campaign – and this is the reason.

Yours in gossip,

Lainey

Lewis Hamilton at the Lululemon Melbourne CBD store, March 3, 2026

Photo credits: Backgrid

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