Former System 1 driver and F1 TV pundit Jolyon Palmer has shot down claims that Lewis Hamilton could have combined feelings after Kimi Antonelli’s Chinese language Grand Prix win.
The seven-time champion made the blockbuster transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari initially of 2025, forsaking the group he had spent 12 seasons with and claimed six of his seven championship titles to fulfil a lifelong dream of racing in crimson.
Hamilton confronted difficulties in his first season with the Maranello outfit as he adjusted to the brand new group. Apart from a victory within the Chinese language dash race, his finest end in 2025 was fourth place on the Emilia Romagna, Austrian, British and United States Grands Prix.
Taking his place on the Brackley outfit was then-18-year-old Antonelli, who completed the 2025 drivers’ championship simply six factors behind Hamilton.
Now, on the second spherical of the 2026 season, the Italian driver claimed his maiden F1 victory on the Chinese language Grand Prix. As Hamilton celebrated on the rostrum along with his successor, many questioned whether or not the Briton may need regretted his profession transfer.
“I do not really feel like that’s the case,” Palmer instructed F1 TV when requested if Hamilton may have combined feelings after Antonelli’s win and his first podium end with Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Picture by: Lars Baron / Getty Photos
“I imply, he knew what he was doing, switching to Ferrari in spite of everything these years at Mercedes. It is in all probability the final chapter of his profession, and he is doing one thing legendary, driving for Ferrari and getting them again to the rostrum. And he is aware of as nicely that they are within the struggle, Ferrari.
“It was one other a type of tantalising days like Melbourne, the place they’re within the lead. Can they do one thing? After which, simply over time, the juggernaut Mercedes comes again by means of and passes them. However I really feel prefer it’s not going to be too lengthy earlier than they will take the struggle all the way in which to the chequered flag within the race.
“There will probably be extra tracks developing as nicely, the place monitor place, in the event that they get it initially, may win them the race.”
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