The Chinese Grand Prix this season could mark Lewis Hamilton’s first full race win with Ferrari in the 2026 Formula 1 campaign, according to former Renault driver and Sky Sports analyst Jolyon Palmer. Palmer noted that Ferrari’s SF-26 showed promising speed in the opening Australian round, suggesting Hamilton might replicate the strong performance he delivered during last year’s Chinese Grand Prix Sprint.
Hamilton’s only success with Ferrari so far came at the 2025 Shanghai Sprint race, where he dominated the event. Now, as Formula 1 returns to China and Ferrari builds on its competitive pace from Melbourne, Palmer foresees that both Hamilton and his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc could capitalize on favorable conditions to challenge for top positions once again.
Ferrari’s Remarkable Race Starts Draw Wide Attention
One of the standout features of Ferrari’s new SF-26 is its outstanding launch at the start of races. During the Australian Grand Prix, both Hamilton and Leclerc exploited the car’s rapid acceleration off the line, a benefit tied to Ferrari’s distinctive turbocharger design. Unlike many rivals, Ferrari uses a smaller turbo unit, granting them a notable edge during race starts by delivering stronger initial power and helping drivers gain early positions.
Although Hamilton began the Australian race in seventh place, he quickly advanced through the field, positioning himself close to the podium early on thanks to this swift launch. Meanwhile, Leclerc, starting third, surged ahead to lead the pack at Turn 1 before engaging in an intense battle with George Russell, who mounted a strong challenge after losing positions initially.
Despite Ferrari’s inability to turn this initial advantage into a race win—due partly to strategic choices and the timing of a Virtual Safety Car period—the explosive starts confirmed that the SF-26 holds a critical advantage in wheel-to-wheel duels.
Short Race Formats Could Play to Hamilton and Leclerc’s Strengths
Although Ferrari’s smaller turbocharger didn’t translate into dominant race pace throughout the full Grand Prix distance in Melbourne, experts believe this advantage could be even more pronounced during Sprint races. Shorter race formats place a premium on gaining positions at the start, since there is less time for opponents to recover through tire management or strategy adjustments.
Jolyon Palmer recently shared his insights on Ferrari’s capabilities during an F1 Nation podcast, emphasizing that the SF-26’s explosive launches could strongly benefit both Hamilton and Leclerc in sprint events. If both drivers qualify near the front, their start performance could allow them to rapidly seize leading positions before competitors have a chance to respond.
Palmer also highlighted the challenges presented by the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, where battery management complicates overtaking and energy recharge. He noted that on tracks with fewer such restrictions, Ferrari’s pace might become even more formidable, turning races into strategic contests involving precise energy deployment.
Maintaining Track Position Could Become Ferrari’s Key Advantage
As the 2026 season unfolds, the likelihood of fewer race disruptions due to improved reliability may further amplify the value of strong track position. With fewer Safety Car interventions and less strategic upheaval, seizing and defending an early lead could allow drivers to dictate race tempo and maintain control.
Jolyon Palmer believes this trend could work heavily in favor of Hamilton and Leclerc, since even without being consistently the fastest car, Ferrari’s quick starts combined with tactical acumen might secure race victories.
Rival Teams Strive to Understand Ferrari’s Turbocharger Innovation
Ferrari’s clever turbocharger approach has caught the attention of rival teams, who are eager to uncover the secrets behind the SF-26’s launch advantage. However, replicating Ferrari’s success is proving to be a complex challenge. Modern Formula 1 power units are intricate systems requiring flawless integration of all components, so simply downsizing the turbocharger may not yield similar benefits without comprehensive design alignment.
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya suggested that competing manufacturers, including Mercedes, could face significant hurdles in adopting Ferrari’s turbo solution. Any modifications must seamlessly work with the combustion engine, energy recovery mechanisms, cooling systems, and car aerodynamics, often demanding extensive reengineering rather than mere parts replacement.
Jolyon Palmer Anticipates Victory for Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari Before Season’s End
Despite falling short of victory in Australia, Jolyon Palmer remains highly confident about Ferrari’s chances to claim wins throughout the 2026 season. He pointed out that Hamilton and Leclerc felt their qualifying results underestimated the SF-26’s potential, both believing they could have achieved higher grid positions.
While Mercedes appeared to hold a pace advantage in Melbourne, Palmer noted that this gap might narrow at different circuits, where track characteristics could favor Ferrari more. For example, the Bahrain track’s distinct layout may produce a reshuffled competitive hierarchy and reduce the performance disparity between Ferrari and Mercedes.
With Hamilton adapting swiftly to his new team and Leclerc maintaining consistent form, Ferrari looks poised to be a strong contender for race wins as the 2026 championship progresses.
