Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer declared Ferrari’s handling of Lewis Hamilton’s recent race penalties “pretty sloppy”, timing the critique after Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli built a 50‑point cushion early in the championship.
Sleuthing Ferrari’s Missed Opportunities
Palmer, caught on the F1 Nation podcast with host Tom Clarkson and IndyCar veteran James Hinchcliffe, said Ferrari should exploit every moment that wrench its rival. He cited the wheel‑cover problem at the British Grand Prix as a prime example, noting that “the wheel cover stuff at Silverstone was a really lucky strike for Ferrari.” That moment, he added, let Hamilton et al. trim Antonelli’s lead, yet the Red Bull‑Ferrari duo did not convert the advantage.
Palmer also highlighted penalties at the same race and in Hungary. “Unlatching the pit‑lane speed limiter a fraction early in Hungary” and “the impeding penalty there” are “pretty sloppy” omissions, he argued, and he attributes a portion of the loss to both Hamilton and the race engineer’s oversight.
Hamilton’s Driving versus Inattention
“He’s driving brilliantly,” Palmer admitted, describing Hamilton’s pace as “exceptionally high” and on par with Charles‑Leclerc on several occasions. Nonetheless, the ex‑driver blamed Hamilton’s sub‑optimal concentration for three of the most costly errors, noting that “these mistakes… are not to do with skill. They’re a lack of concentration, or I don’t know, attention or something.”
Palmer argued that Hamilton’s current performance, which “has the glory of the best he ever did,” now merits capitalising on the Lola‑regulation race structure. He wants Ferrari to “maximise every point—team orders already mentioned—and keep the pressure on the gap.”
Implications for the Championship Chase
With six victories added to Verstappen’s title tally and 12 races left, Mercedes’ Antonelli seeks to close on the already substantial points yardstick. Palmer’s assessment points to a Ferrari deficit that could prove decisive when points are withheld by penalties rather than outright race victories.
Palmer’s candour underscores the fine line between triumph and disappointment in the fierce battle for the 2026 crown, whilst reminding Ferrari that flawless on‑track discipline remains the gateway to championship glory.
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