According to Nigel Mansell, a former Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton has regained his competitive edge this season. Hamilton recently ended his 16-month drought without an F1 podium by finishing third at the Chinese Grand Prix, marking his first rostrum finish since joining Ferrari in 2025. The 41-year-old has also been consistently closer to his teammate Charles Leclerc in terms of pace, a significant improvement from his struggles with the previous generation of F1 cars.
Mansell attributes Hamilton's resurgence to the new regulations, which seem to suit his driving style, and believes the seven-time world champion could potentially win a race this season. "Lewis is fired up again, and it's fantastic to see him performing at such a high level," Mansell said in an interview with Sky Sports News. Hamilton credits his improved mental and physical preparation for his return to form, stating that he "prepared my mind and body better than ever" for the current season. The British driver also expressed his satisfaction with the new car, which was built with his input, and is grateful that the team listened to his requests.
As the season progresses, Mansell thinks the F1 Drivers' Championship could become a two-horse race between Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, with the British driver needing to leverage his experience to win the intra-team battle. With Formula 1 returning on May 1-3 with the Miami Grand Prix, the stage is set for an exciting competition.