According to Nigel Mansell, a former Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton has regained his competitive edge this season. Hamilton recently ended a 16-month podium drought with a third-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, marking his first rostrum finish since joining Ferrari in 2025. Notably, Hamilton has been closer to his teammate Charles Leclerc in terms of pace, a significant improvement from the previous year.
The new regulations seem to favor Hamilton's driving style, and Mansell believes the seven-time world champion could win a race this season. Mansell stated, 'Lewis is fired up again, and it's fantastic to see him performing at this level.' Hamilton attributes his resurgence to better mental and physical preparation, which has contributed to his return to form.
When he joined Ferrari last year, the car wasn't tailored to his driving style, but this year's car has incorporated some of the changes he requested. The F1 season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with Mercedes currently leading the pack and George Russell and Kimi Antonelli vying for the top spot. Mansell thinks Russell needs to utilize his experience to outperform his teammate and become the world champion. The F1 Drivers' Championship could become a two-horse race if Mercedes maintain their advantage, and Mansell is eager to see how the season unfolds.