Former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine expressed warning on the notion that Lewis Hamilton has returned to kind in F1 2026.
Hamilton ended his look ahead to a Ferrari podium on the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, a venue at which he’s a report six-time winner. However, Irvine suggests Charles Leclerc “outclassed” his teammate, prompting the Irishman to carry his horses on declaring that Hamilton is again.
Lewis Hamilton return to kind questioned after China podium
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Hamilton went into F1 2026 with a refreshed mentality following a difficult first season in Ferrari pink.
The Scuderia has been current on each podium this 12 months; Leclerc was third on the Australian and Japanese GPs, whereas Hamilton scored his first Ferrari podium on the Chinese GP.
Irvine, a winner of 4 grands prix with Ferrari, was requested by La Gazzetta dello Sport whether or not he believes Hamilton has discovered his kind once more.
“I wouldn’t take that for granted,” mentioned Irvine.
“In China, he completed on the rostrum for the primary time with Ferrari, however that’s his circuit.
“In Japan, however, he was outclassed by Charles Leclerc throughout the weekend.”
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There is little question that Ferrari, as a collective, is in a stronger place initially of Formula 1’s new period.
While Mercedes has received all three grands prix to this point, Ferrari has utilized stress, and the F1 2026 improvement warfare is anticipated to be fierce.
Irvine was requested whether or not he believes Ferrari may problem for title glory this 12 months.
Ferrari’s 2008 Constructors’ Championship win stays its most up-to-date instance.
“It’s always very difficult for the Scuderia,” mentioned Irvine. “The drawback is the gap from the center of the F1 world, which is the UK.
“Compared to last year, though, I think they can secure at least one victory.”
Time will inform whether or not Lewis Hamilton is again
Irvine raises a legitimate level by highlighting Shanghai as Hamilton’s observe; he received the Chinese GP Sprint race in 2025, one among few highlights in his first Ferrari season.
It can be true that Leclerc had the measure of Hamilton at Suzuka.
But one may return to the season opener in Melbourne, the place Hamilton hounded Leclerc to the chequered flag, for instance of the seven-time World Champion wanting spectacular exterior of Shanghai.
Hamilton felt that he proved in China that he can nonetheless compete on the entrance. It is solely a case of time will inform in F1 2026 how true that’s.
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