Jacques Villeneuve: A Positive Lewis Hamilton is 'Almost Unbeatable'

Jacques Villeneuve has highlighted the stark contrast in Lewis Hamilton's performance based on his mindset, warning that the positive and energized version of the seven-time champion seen in the early stages of the 2026 F1 season is a near-unstoppable force. Hamilton, revitalized after a challenging first year with Ferrari, has outperformed teammate Charles Leclerc in qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix, signaling a formidable return to form.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's psychological state has long been considered a critical performance differentiator. His ability to swing from a dominant, positive force to a struggling, negative one impacts not only his own results but the dynamic within Ferrari and the entire championship battle. A consistently upbeat Hamilton could dramatically alter Ferrari's prospects and the competitive hierarchy.

The details:

• Villeneuve identified "two Lewis's," praising the current version as "almost unbeatable" due to his speed and sustained energy despite his age and experience.
• This assessment was reinforced by Sky F1's Simon Lazenby, who relayed insight from Nico Rosberg, Hamilton's former teammate. Rosberg noted that beating a "down" Hamilton was possible, but facing an "up" Hamilton was a completely different and far more difficult task.
• The evidence is on track in Shanghai. Hamilton qualified third, ahead of Leclerc, who is widely regarded as a qualifying specialist.
• This early 2026 form marks a significant shift from 2025, where Hamilton often appeared downbeat and struggled to make a consistent impact alongside Leclerc.

What's next:

The immediate test is the Chinese Grand Prix, where Hamilton holds a record six wins. However, the larger question is whether he can maintain this positive momentum across circuits that may suit Leclerc better.

• Leclerc has admitted Shanghai is a "bogey track" for him, making Hamilton's strong showing here particularly notable but not definitive for their intra-team battle.
• For Ferrari to challenge the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli at the front, they need both drivers operating at their peak. A positive, "unbeatable" version of Hamilton could be the key to unlocking that potential and turning early promise into sustained championship contention.