P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine has warned that the apparent Formula 1 resurgence for Lewis Hamilton may be temporary after being “outclassed” by Charles Leclerc in the Japanese Grand Prix.
Former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine has warned of a potential temporary resurgence for Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1 following being “outclassed” by Charles Leclerc at the Japanese Grand Prix. Hamilton has had a positive start in 2026 after a challenging 2025 as a Ferrari driver. Leclerc’s performance in Suzuka, where he finished third, outshone Hamilton’s sixth place finish, indicating a shift in momentum towards the Monegasque driver. Despite Mercedes’ current dominance, Irvine believes Ferrari has a good chance to secure a victory this season. The on-track battle between Hamilton and Leclerc in China showcased the potential for improvement and resurgence in Hamilton’s form, with a new race engineer potentially playing a key role. Time will tell if Ferrari can close the performance gap to Mercedes and if Hamilton can maintain his early-season success up to delivering a race victory as Irvine suggested.
