Lewis Hamilton 'Back to His Best' at Ferrari, Says Hinchcliffe

Former IndyCar driver and analyst James Hinchcliffe has declared that 'Lewis Hamilton is back,' pointing to the seven-time champion's strong start to the 2026 season with Ferrari as proof. After a difficult first year adapting to the Scuderia, Hamilton now appears re-energized and is going 'toe-to-toe' with teammate Charles Leclerc, fulfilling the hopes of Ferrari fans who longed for his return to form.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's resurgence is a pivotal storyline for Formula 1. After his high-profile move from Mercedes, a struggling Hamilton was a major narrative in 2025. His apparent return to competitive performance validates Ferrari's long-term project, revitalizes the championship battle, and delivers on the immense promise of one of the sport's most anticipated driver-team pairings.

The details:

• Hinchcliffe made the comments on the F1 Nation podcast, arguing this is the scenario "all the Ferrari fans were hoping for at the start of 2025."
• Hamilton's 2025 season was marked by struggle, with only a single Sprint race win in China and a best Grand Prix finish of fourth as he adapted to the new team.
• The analyst links Hamilton's previous difficulties to the 2022-era ground effect regulations, which he believes never suited the Briton's driving style.
• Hinchcliffe suggests the new 2026 technical regulations have created a car more to Hamilton's liking, a factor combined with Ferrari's competitive power unit and chassis.
• The proof is in the results: Hamilton is currently fourth in the Drivers' Championship with 33 points and scored his first podium for the team at the Chinese Grand Prix, performing at a level even with Leclerc after being "systematically trounced" by him last year.

What's next:

The early signs suggest Hamilton could be a consistent podium threat and a key player in the championship. If Ferrari can maintain its development pace, this partnership may finally begin contending for victories, transforming the team's prospects and adding a legendary name back into the fight at the front of the grid.