Hamilton's Revival: Former Champion Mansell Sees a Rejuvenated Driver

According to Nigel Mansell, a former Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton has regained his momentum this season. Hamilton recently ended his 16-month drought without a podium finish in F1, securing third place at the Chinese Grand Prix, which marked his first time on the rostrum since joining Ferrari in 2025. The 41-year-old has also been more competitive with his teammate Charles Leclerc in terms of pace, a significant improvement from the previous year when he struggled with the earlier generation of F1 cars. The new regulations this year seem to favor Hamilton's driving style, and Mansell believes the seven-time world champion could potentially win a race this season. Mansell stated, 'Lewis is fired up again, and it's fantastic to see him doing so well.' He attributed Hamilton's resurgence to the excellent work done by Ferrari over the winter, making them a strong contender. Hamilton himself attributed his return to form to better preparation, both mentally and physically. When he joined Ferrari last year, the car was not tailored to his driving style, and there were limitations due to budget caps that prevented certain requested changes. However, with the new car this year, Hamilton feels it's a fresh start, and he's grateful that some of his requested modifications were incorporated. Mansell, who was involved in several title fights before becoming a world champion, thinks this year's F1 Drivers' Championship could turn into a two-horse race between Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli if they maintain their lead. Mansell advises Russell to use his experience to win the intra-team battle, emphasizing the importance of focus and sometimes a bit of luck. The F1 season continues on May 1-3 with the Miami Grand Prix.