Nearly everyone anticipated what Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari in 2025 would bring, especially with high expectations surrounding his move from Mercedes. It was viewed as a fresh opportunity for the seven-time champion, hoping to reinvigorate his career and help Ferrari reclaim glory in Formula 1.
Contrary to predictions, the 2025 season turned out to be a nightmare for the Scuderia. Ferrari failed to secure a single victory, and Hamilton experienced a podium drought for the first time in his entire Formula 1 career, raising serious concerns about the team’s direction.
Challenges and Frustrations During Hamilton’s Initial Year
Hamilton openly expressed resentment over his limited role in shaping the team’s strategy during 2025. Despite submitting detailed feedback and sending technical documents to the factory twice, his advice was largely ignored. Instead of collaboration, he faced public criticism from Ferrari chairman John Elkann, which strained his relationship with the team.
However, going into 2026, Hamilton appears rejuvenated and more involved. With the new regulations offering a reset, the 41-year-old driver has been more influential in shaping the development of Ferrari’s SF-26 car, providing extensive input on numerous elements. This elevated involvement has sparked hopes that Hamilton’s best form can return.
Nigel Mansell Predicts a Strong Comeback for Hamilton in 2026
Nigel Mansell, the 1992 Formula 1 World Champion, remains confident that Hamilton can still compete for the title if Ferrari delivers a competitive car. Mansell dismisses concerns about Hamilton’s age, emphasizing his physical fitness and resilience.
Speaking to The Observer, Mansell said,
“I don’t want to put any pressure on him but I think Lewis is going to have a fantastic year. He’s a young 41. He’s strong as an ox and super fit.”
If Ferrari put the car underneath him that he deserves, he can do the business still and get that magical eighth world title. I don’t think it’s over yet.
This prediction mirrors Mansell’s optimism ahead of the 2025 season, where he expected Hamilton to surprise the field. Instead, it turned out to be arguably Hamilton’s worst season, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding Mansell’s current forecast.
Concerns Surrounding Ferrari’s Prospects in 2026
Despite Mansell’s positive outlook, Ferrari’s recent performance data has raised alarm bells. The team is worried about managing energy efficiently, based on telemetry collected by Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc during testing in Barcelona. Expert analyst Gary Anderson suggests Ferrari currently lags behind leading teams in development progress, which is not a promising sign this early in the year.
With ongoing doubts about the competitiveness of the SF-26, there is a risk that Mansell’s hopeful prediction for Hamilton might once again prove too optimistic, especially as the team struggles to meet expectations.
Anticipation Builds for a Competitive 2026 Championship Fight
Looking beyond Ferrari’s challenges, Nigel Mansell expects an exciting championship battle in 2026. Lando Norris, the young McLaren driver, will be defending his 2025 title, having narrowly edged out Max Verstappen by a mere two points.
Mansell believes Norris’s confidence and skill will continue to grow, possibly allowing him to gain an additional “half a second” in performance this season. He said,
He’s so young, he’s got the world at his feet,
adding,
“He’s going to get better, he’s going to be more confident this year. He’s going to have another half a second in his pocket when he wants to push.”
Mansell also highlighted the significance of being a reigning world champion with,
“He’s the world champion, when anybody wears that mantle, it puts a stride in your step. You’ve done it; you’ve achieved it. It’s the most momentous thing to achieve, the world champion of anything.”
All power to his elbow, I think 2026 is going to be a fantastic championship. Mercedes are hot favourites, McLaren are there and Ferrari are there, which is incredibly exciting.
With strong contenders from Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari, the stage is set for a fiercely competitive season, although questions remain about Hamilton’s true potential as he embarks on his second year with Ferrari.
