Hamilton's Inconsistent Form Draws Criticism Despite Ferrari Podium

Lewis Hamilton secured his first podium for Ferrari in China, but a subdued performance in Japan where he was consistently outpaced by teammate Charles Leclerc has led to renewed skepticism about his true form. Former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine suggests the seven-time champion's return to top-level competitiveness is not yet guaranteed, highlighting a weekend in Suzuka where he was "outclassed." Meanwhile, Ferrari itself shows promising signs of becoming Mercedes' closest challenger in 2026.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's move to Ferrari was meant to reignite a title challenge, making his adaptation and performance critical for the team's ambitions. Inconsistent results between circuits raise questions about whether he can consistently extract the maximum from the car and lead the team, which is essential if Ferrari is to capitalize on its improved position and challenge for wins.

The details:

• Hamilton's Chinese Grand Prix was a strong statement, delivering a convincing first podium for Ferrari at a track he historically excels at.
• The Japanese Grand Prix presented a stark contrast, with Hamilton trailing Leclerc's pace throughout the entire weekend in both qualifying and the race.
• Charles Leclerc managed to secure a podium in Japan, successfully defending against the faster Mercedes of George Russell, underscoring the car's potential and his own strong performance.
• Eddie Irvine pointed to this inconsistency, noting Hamilton's success in China "is his track," but warned against assuming a full return to form after being outperformed in Suzuka.

The big picture:

The focus isn't solely on Hamilton. Ferrari's overall project appears to be on an upward trajectory, establishing itself as the primary threat to Mercedes after a disappointing 2025 season. When asked about Ferrari's chances to win again, Irvine acknowledged the perennial challenge of operating far from F1's UK hub but believes the team is positioned to take "at least one win" this season, a significant step forward.

What's next:

Hamilton has stated the team is already focused on regrouping and analyzing data from the first three races to find improvements. The April break provides a crucial reset window before the championship resumes in Miami. The key narrative to watch is whether Hamilton and Ferrari can build consistent momentum and convert their promising pace into regular podium challenges and that elusive first victory of the new partnership.