Lewis Hamilton now has a ‘spring in his step’ in the F1 paddock after 2026 Ferrari changes

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Jolyon Palmer has noticed that Lewis Hamilton has a new ‘spring in his step’ in the paddock as Ferrari finally look like title-challengers following a difficult 2025 campaign.

Lewis Hamilton looked delighted after joining his own race engineer, Peter Bonnington, on the podium at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Bonnington had helped lead Andrea Kimi Antonelli to his maiden Formula 1 win for Mercedes, and he was joined by teammate and championship leader George Russell on the rostrum.

Some sensational performances in Shanghai 🔥 Who is your pick for Driver of the Day at the Chinese Grand Prix?

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Hamilton can put any talk about his inability to score a podium for Ferrari behind him, although he’s still searching for that elusive Grand Prix victory.

Last season, the seven-time world champion had to endure talk about his potential retirement and whether he was still fast enough to compete during a torrid maiden campaign with the Scuderia.

Now, Jolyon Palmer has noticed a completely different Hamilton in the F1 paddock, and thinks his ‘legendary’ move to Ferrari is re-energising him for the upcoming campaign.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Jolyon Palmer has noticed a completely new Lewis Hamilton in the F1 paddock

Palmer was asked during F1’s official post-race show whether Hamilton would be upset seeing Antonelli win the Chinese Grand Prix in the Mercedes seat he gave up, and he said: “I don’t feel like that is the case.

“I mean, he knew what he was doing, switching to Ferrari after all those years at Mercedes.

“It’s probably the last chapter of his career, and he’s doing something legendary, driving for Ferrari and getting them back to the podium.

“But I feel like it’s not going to be too long before they can take the fight all the way to the chequered flag in the race. There will be more tracks coming up as well, where, track position, if they get it at the start, could win them the race. And the fight between Lewis and Charles, I mean DC [David Coulthard] and I, we are literally cowering in the corner of the commentary box.

“I lose count of the amount of times because we’re just thinking there’s contact coming between the two Ferraris.

“So, the fact that they managed to race that hard for so long, not hit each other, put on an amazing show, it was wonderful.”

Palmer went on to say: “He’s rejuvenated. He’s got a spring in his step. He is smiling all the time.

“You see him around the paddock. He’s really enjoying these new cars, and now he’s thinking, ‘OK, I have signed for Ferrari. Remember, I’m Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion. Let’s remember, this is both of us in this fight.’

“And so I think that’s why you are seeing an aggressive Lewis showing us what he’s made of. And again it’s really good to see him back to his best.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Ferrari could now benefit from 2026 FIA rule change as Lewis Hamilton chases his next win

Hamilton sits one point behind Leclerc in the drivers’ championship after the first two rounds, and the gap to Russell has already been stretched to 18 points.

However, Hamilton and Vasseur are both targeting Ferrari updates, and the development race between themselves and Mercedes will likely decide the winner of the constructors’ championship.

The FIA could change the ADUO deadlines, which might allow Ferrari to update their power unit to try and close the gap to Mercedes.

If Ferrari’s power unit can be improved, then all of a sudden, their deficit during races to Mercedes could disappear.

That could hand Vasseur a far bigger issue, with Jacques Villeneuve suggesting Leclerc and Hamilton’s battle in China cost Ferrari the opportunity to fight for P2 or even the win.