Davide Valsecchi says Lewis Hamilton is finally acting like a ‘great champion’ again

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Davide Valsecchi has welcomed the change in Lewis Hamilton’s attitude at Ferrari after an encouraging start to the 2026 F1 season. Hamilton finished fourth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix last weekend, matching his best result in red.

Hamilton’s self-belief and enthusiasm visibly deteriorated during a miserable 2025 season as he failed to score a single podium. But in Australia, with many of his fellow drivers grumbling about the new cars, his positivity stood out.

F1’s most successful driver qualified a disappointing seventh but fought teammate Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell for the lead after a rapid start. On the back of that performance, pundits like Jolyon Palmer have expressed confidence that Hamilton will win a race this year.

Davide Valsecchi praises transformation in Lewis Hamilton’s mentality

Speaking on the ‘Chiacchiere da box‘ podcast, Valsecchi said Hamilton was unrecognisable in 2025. He no longer looked like a ‘champion’, transmitting a reluctance to continue in the sport.

Hamilton says he would have overtaken Leclerc in Melbourne had the race had been slightly longer. He narrowed the gap from six seconds to 0.8 during an impressive second stint.

Valsecchi still doesn’t think Hamilton will be the lead Ferrari driver, but he applauded the 41-year-old’s healthy winter reset.

“Last year, his judgment was all black,” said Valsecchi. “He was all demoralised, ‘I don’t want to do it anymore’.

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“This year, everything is rosy: ‘I had fun, I wanted the race to continue for another 10 or 15 laps, I would have overtaken Leclerc, I would have made the podium.’ I liked the attitude.

“Maybe he won’t beat Leclerc, but it’s the right attitude to stay competitive all year. Last year, he went into a mental decline, and basically after five races we stopped seeing Lewis Hamilton, or at least the great champion.

“We were like, ‘Come on, he’s not a champion after all.’ Accidents that weren’t like him, performance at the end. He worked on this character and this mental attitude over the winter.”

‘Those who dream of Lewis Hamilton as world champion’ may be disappointed

By leading a Mercedes one-two at Albert Park, Russell cemented his status as the title favourite. But Ferrari displayed impressive race pace, which suggests they are a genuine threat.

Still, Valsecchi doubts that Hamilton can win another world championship, largely due to his age. No driver in their 40s has won a title since Jack Brabham in 1996.

Michael Schumacher was 35 when he won his last title at Ferrari, and Hamilton was only a few months older when he lifted his seventh trophy in 2020. The average age of an F1 world champion across the sport’s history is 31.5.

“After the age of 35, it’s been a while since anyone won the world championship,” said Valsecchi. “Those who dream of Hamilton as world champion or Alonso risen really have the statistics against them.

“Unfortunately, Hamilton won his last title at 35, Schumacher before him had gone the distance at 35. For many years now, people over 35 have been unable to make a difference in the world championship.”