Former Formula 1 champion Nigel Mansell has praised Lewis Hamilton for sounding like a different driver this year, describing the seven‑time world champion as "reinvigorated" and clearly fired up again. After a 16‑month stretch without a podium, Hamilton snapped the drought with a third‑place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix – his first top‑three result since he switched to Ferrari in 2025.
The 41‑year‑old Briton has also narrowed the performance gap to his teammate Charles Leclerc, a stark contrast to the difficulties he endured last season with the previous generation of Ferrari machinery. Mansell believes the new technical regulations introduced for this campaign play to Hamilton’s strengths, and he refuses to rule out the possibility that the veteran could capture a race win before the season ends. "Lewis is fired up again. He’s had an extraordinary career and it’s fantastic to see what he’s doing now," the 1992 champion told Sky Sports News.
"He’s truly reinvigorated. Ferrari have done a brilliant job over the winter, and while Mercedes still lead the pack, McLaren are closing the gap as well." 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 he credits for his recent resurgence.
When asked about his first year with Ferrari, Hamilton admitted the car initially felt like an ill‑fitted suit. "When I joined Ferrari last year, I had nothing to do with the development of that car. It was essentially an evolution of the previous model, a machine that didn’t suit my driving style," he explained. He added that budget‑cap restrictions prevented the team from fitting certain components, such as a more advanced suspension system, during the season.
The Briton described the 2024 campaign as a turning point. "It was a very tough year.
We chose not to develop the car throughout the season because we wanted to focus on the next one. I spent a lot of time in the simulator, learning and working closely with the engineers," Hamilton said. He emphasized that he had been vocal about the upgrades he wanted for the following year, pushing relentlessly for changes that would better align the car with his preferences.
"We come to this year’s car with a clean slate, and a few of the things I asked for have finally been incorporated. Charles and I tested them and we both love the result." Mansell, who battled fiercely with the likes of Nelson Piquet in the 1980s before clinching his own title in 1992, also weighed in on the broader championship picture. He warned that the 2025 Drivers’ Championship could evolve into a two‑horse race if Mercedes manage to extend their lead over the rest of the grid.
In that scenario, George Russell and the young Italian Kimi Antonelli could find themselves in contention for the ultimate prize. Antonelli currently sits nine points ahead of Russell after back‑to‑back victories in China and Japan, and Mansell believes Russell’s experience will be crucial in the intra‑team showdown.
"George is a great driver," Mansell said. "Sometimes the chips fall one way, sometimes another, and luck plays a part. It’s a long season, but you need incredible focus to stay ahead.
I’ll never forget when my teammate Riccardo Patrese and I swapped cars in 1992 at São Paulo. I was two seconds per lap quicker in his car, and the team instantly recognised I had a special feel for the machinery. The lesson is you have to assert your authority on the track." He added a nod to Antonelli’s rising star status: "Kimi has done a fantastic job.
He’s young, everyone’s rooting for him, and it’s going to be exciting to watch his development." Looking ahead, the F1 calendar returns on May 1‑3 with the Miami Grand Prix, which will also host the season’s second Sprint weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can stream the action through NOW without a contract, canceling at any time.
As the season unfolds, Hamilton’s renewed confidence, coupled with Ferrari’s winter improvements and Mansell’s seasoned perspective, promises plenty of intrigue for supporters of the sport.