According to Nigel Mansell, a former Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton has regained his competitive edge this season. Hamilton recently broke 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 significantly closed the gap with his teammate Charles Leclerc in terms of pace, a notable improvement from the previous year when he struggled with the older generation of F1 cars. The new regulations for 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 performing so well.' Hamilton attributed his return to form to better preparation, both mentally and physically, which he achieved by working on the simulator and engaging with the engineers. He noted that the previous year's car was not suited to his driving style, but the new car incorporates some of the changes he requested. With the new season underway, Mansell thinks George Russell needs to utilize his experience to win the intra-team battle against Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads Russell by nine points. The F1 Drivers' Championship could become a two-horse race if Mercedes maintains its advantage, and Mansell advises Russell to maintain incredible focus to come out on top.