Jolyon Palmer believes Brazil could give Lewis Hamilton his first Ferrari podium. Lewis Hamilton has yet to secure a podium with Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton has not yet managed to reach the podium with Ferrari in a Grand Prix, but according to former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer, the seven-time world champion could turn the tide in Brazil. Ferrari is currently fighting for second place in the Constructors’ Championship. After briefly dropping to third position, the team regained second in Mexico, although the gap to Mercedes is just one point. Red Bull is also close behind the Maranello squad. In the Austin and Mexico Grands Prix, Ferrari appeared more competitive, both with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, but only Charles Leclerc managed to reach the podium on both occasions.

Missed opportunities in Mexico

In Mexico, Lewis Hamilton was unable to convert his third-place qualifying result into a podium finish, partly due to a penalty received after a battle with Max Verstappen. However, Jolyon Palmer sees positive signs worth considering.

Podium in sight

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Jolyon Palmer commented on Ferrari’s recent performance, noting, “In Austin, they made some significant setup changes overnight, learning from the sprint race, and it revitalized the car. They have always struggled with plank wear, which is quite well known, so perhaps they were cautious during the sprint weekend due to previous disqualifications. But then the car started performing well. Then there’s Mexico, a circuit where they have historically done well.”

In Austin and Mexico, Ferrari made progress, particularly in qualifying. Now, the focus shifts to Brazil. For Jolyon Palmer, Interlagos could be a favorable track for Lewis Hamilton, considering his recent history there. The former driver added, “He has always performed well in Brazil and enjoyed racing there. Even in the legendary 2021 season, when he battled Max [Verstappen], he consistently achieved strong results. Of course, this is his first year with Ferrari, so he hopes this could be an opportunity to surpass his teammate on the grid.”

Closing the gap

Race by race, the gap to Charles Leclerc has decreased significantly, which Palmer believes could restore some confidence for the British driver. “The fact that the car has become slightly more competitive allows him to feel that the podium is not too far away. I think he will do everything possible to surpass Charles Leclerc and finish the year with a podium, and any result beyond that will be a bonus,” Jolyon Palmer concluded.