Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer has rejected suggestions that Lewis Hamilton regrets his move to Ferrari following Kimi Antonelli's maiden victory at the Chinese Grand Prix. The win came in the second round of the 2026 season, with Hamilton achieving his first podium finish for Ferrari.
Jolyon Palmer, a former F1 driver and current F1 TV pundit, addressed claims of potential mixed emotions for Lewis Hamilton after Antonelli's success. Hamilton had left Mercedes for Ferrari at the start of 2025, ending a 12-season stint during which he won six of his seven world championships. His first year with the Maranello team brought challenges: a win in the Chinese sprint race and fourth-place finishes at the Emilia Romagna, Austrian, British, and United States Grands Prix were his highlights. Antonelli, an 18-year-old at the time, took Hamilton's seat at Mercedes and ended the 2025 drivers' championship just six points behind the seven-time champion. In the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, Antonelli secured his first F1 race victory, prompting questions about Hamilton's decision as the Briton joined him on the podium. Palmer dismissed any regret, stating on F1 TV: 'I don't feel like that is the case.' He added, '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.' Palmer noted Ferrari's competitiveness, comparing the race to Melbourne where they led early but were overtaken by Mercedes. He predicted, 'It was another one of those tantalising days... 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.'
