Former F1 world champion Nigel Mansell believes Lewis Hamilton has regained his momentum this season. Hamilton recently ended his 16-month podium drought with a third-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, marking his first rostrum finish since joining Ferrari in 2025.
The 41-year-old driver has also shown significant improvement in pace compared to his teammate Charles Leclerc, after struggling with the previous generation of F1 cars. According to Mansell, the new regulations seem to favor Hamilton's driving style, making him a potential race winner this season.
"Lewis is fired up again, and it's fantastic to see him performing at such a high level," Mansell told Sky Sports News. Hamilton credits his return to form to better preparation and the fact that Ferrari has done an excellent job over the winter. He also feels that the new car suits his driving style, which was not the case with the previous year's model.
Mansell thinks that Hamilton's experience and determination could lead to a strong performance this season. Meanwhile, the F1 Drivers' Championship is shaping up to be an exciting contest, with Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in a tight battle for the top spot. Mansell advises Russell to use his experience and focus to win the intra-team battle and become world champion.