Lewis Hamilton's Podium Drought: Palmer Sees 'Mojo Back'

Jolyon Palmer believes Lewis Hamilton has regained his "mojo" following a recent uptick in form, suggesting a podium finish with Ferrari might be within reach. Hamilton, who joined Ferrari after a stellar 12-year run with Mercedes, has faced a challenging maiden season, yet glimmers of his past brilliance are emerging.

Why it matters:

After a largely difficult season without a podium, any sign of renewed form from the seven-time champion is significant. For Hamilton, securing a podium finish would not only be a personal milestone with Ferrari but also a much-needed morale boost for both driver and team as they look to build momentum for future seasons. It could signal a turning point after a tough transitional year.

The Details:

• Hamilton is still chasing his first podium finish with Ferrari, despite a move that was expected to reignite his career.
• Recent races have shown promise: a fourth-place finish in the USA and strong contention for a top-three spot in Mexico before a 10-second penalty dashed his hopes.
• Qualifying Performance: Jolyon Palmer noted on the F1 Nation podcast that the gap between Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc in qualifying has significantly narrowed throughout the year, with Mexico being a particularly close battle.
• Driver Confidence: Palmer attributes this improvement to Hamilton finding his "mojo back" after a tough period, suggesting that the car's improved competitiveness is allowing him to sense a podium is not far off.
• Upcoming Race: Hamilton heads to Brazil this weekend, a circuit where he has won three times previously and enjoys immense local support.
  • Palmer believes Hamilton's affinity for Interlagos could provide the ideal setting for a strong performance and potentially his first podium with Ferrari.

What's next:

As the season draws to a close, Hamilton will be "desperately" trying to finish the year with a podium, with anything more being a bonus. His performance in Brazil, a track he historically excels at, will be a key indicator of whether this newfound "mojo" can translate into a tangible result before the focus fully shifts to 2025 and beyond. A strong end to the season could lay crucial groundwork for Ferrari's ambitions and Hamilton's continued quest for an eighth title.