Former Formula 1 champion Nigel Mansell has praised Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence this season, describing the seven‑time world champion as "re‑energised" and eager to fight at the front of the grid. Hamilton broke a 16‑month spell without a podium by finishing third at the Chinese Grand Prix – his first top‑three result since moving to Ferrari in 2025 – and the veteran driver appears to be closing the gap to his teammate Charles Leclerc after a difficult 2024 campaign in the older spec car. Mansell, who clinched his own title in 1992, told Sky Sports News that the new technical regulations introduced for the 2025 season seem to suit Hamilton’s driving style better than the previous year’s machinery.
"Lewis is fired up again. He has had a brilliant career and it’s fantastic what he’s doing now," the former champion said, adding that the Italian team’s winter development work has been "fabulous". He noted that while Ferrari has made great strides, the competition remains tight with Mercedes still leading the pack and McLaren also showing signs of progress.
Hamilton himself has spoken openly about the mental and physical preparation that helped him rediscover his form. After the Japanese Grand Prix, he said he had "prepared my mind and body better than ever", a regimen that he believes has been crucial to his recent performances. The British driver also reflected on his first year with Ferrari, acknowledging that the car he inherited was an evolution of the 2024 model and not originally built around his driving preferences. "When I joined Ferrari last year, I had nothing to do with the build of that car.
It was an evolution of the previous year’s chassis, so it didn’t really suit me," he explained. He went on to detail the budget‑cap constraints that limited the team’s ability to introduce certain upgrades, such as a new suspension package, during the 2024 season. "There were elements I was asking for that we couldn’t fit in because they were too expensive under the cap," Hamilton said. "It was a really hard season.
We didn’t develop the car throughout the year because we decided to focus on this year’s car. I spent a lot of time in the simulator, learning and engaging with the engineers." Hamilton emphasized that his persistence paid off when the team finally incorporated several of his suggestions into the 2025 car. "We come to this year’s car and it’s a completely new start for everybody, but we have a couple of things I asked for, which I’m grateful they listened to. Charles and I tested them and we both love it," he added.
Mansell’s own career was marked by fierce battles, most notably his duels with Nelson Piquet at Williams in the 1980s before he finally secured the championship in 1992. He drew a parallel between his experiences and the current intra‑team rivalry at Ferrari, suggesting that Hamilton’s renewed confidence could translate into race victories if the car continues to develop.
Looking ahead, the 2025 Drivers’ Championship appears to be shaping up as a potential two‑horse race. Mercedes is expected to maintain, or even extend, its lead over the rest of the field, giving George Russell a realistic shot at the title.
Meanwhile, rookie Kimi Antonelli has surged to the front of the standings, currently sitting nine points ahead of Russell after back‑to‑back wins in China and Japan. Mansell believes Russell must lean on his experience to win the internal battle with his teammate. "George is a great driver.
Sometimes it’s how the chips fall, sometimes you have a bit of luck, and sometimes you don’t. It’s a long season but you have to lead with incredible focus," he said.
Mansell also recalled a memorable anecdote from his own 1992 season, when teammate Riccardo Patrese thought he had a special car. After swapping qualifying cars at São Paulo, Mansell was able to demonstrate a significant pace advantage, prompting team boss Frank Williams and technical director Patrick Head to recognize the performance gap. "The point is, you have to stamp the authority," he warned, noting that Antonelli’s rapid rise has generated excitement across the paddock.
"Kimi has done a great job. He’s young, everyone’s pulling for him, so it’s going to be exciting to watch." The Formula 1 calendar will continue with the Miami Grand Prix from May 1‑3, which will also host the season’s second Sprint weekend.
The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and fans can stream the coverage via NOW with a flexible, no‑contract subscription. As the season progresses, Hamilton’s revived enthusiasm, combined with Ferrari’s technical improvements, could see the former champion add more podiums – and perhaps a win – to his already illustrious résumé.