Palmer dismisses notion of Hamilton having 'mixed emotions' after Antonelli's win

F1 TV pundit Jolyon Palmer has rejected suggestions that Lewis Hamilton could be having second thoughts about his move to Ferrari, after seeing his Mercedes successor Kimi Antonelli claim a maiden victory in China. Palmer argues Hamilton is focused on the "legendary" final chapter of his career with the Scuderia, which is showing clear signs of progress.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's blockbuster switch from Mercedes to Ferrari was one of the biggest driver moves in F1 history, ending a 12-year partnership that yielded six world titles. Any perceived regret from the seven-time champion would be a major narrative, but Palmer's analysis suggests Hamilton is fully committed to the long-term project of reviving Ferrari, even as his former team continues to win.

The details:

• The speculation arose after the Chinese Grand Prix, where Antonelli took his first F1 win for Mercedes and Hamilton joined him on the podium in third place for Ferrari—his first podium finish with the team.
• Palmer firmly dismissed the idea of Hamilton having mixed emotions, stating on F1 TV: "I don't feel like that is the case. He knew what he was doing, switching to Ferrari after all those years at Mercedes."
• Hamilton's 2025 Season: The Briton's first year with Ferrari was a challenging adjustment. His sole win came in the Chinese Sprint race, with his best Grand Prix results being four fourth-place finishes.
• Antonelli's Rise: The 19-year-old Italian, who replaced Hamilton at Mercedes, finished the 2025 championship just six points behind the veteran, highlighting a seamless transition for the Brackley squad.
• Ferrari's Progress: Palmer pointed to Ferrari's increasing competitiveness, noting China was "another one of those tantalising days like Melbourne, where they're in the lead." He believes it's only a matter of time before they can fight for a full Grand Prix victory.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to whether Ferrari can convert its promising pace into a race win with Hamilton at the wheel.

• Palmer anticipates more circuits where strategic track position could play into Ferrari's hands, offering them a clear path to victory.
• The ongoing development battle between Mercedes and Ferrari will be crucial, as Hamilton seeks to deliver the iconic result both he and the Tifosi are dreaming of: a Ferrari win.