Jolyon Palmer on F1 2026: Kimi's Rise, Max's Future, and the Season's Biggest Questions

• FROM THE COCKPIT TO THE COMMENTARY BOX
• KIMI ANTONELLI: A FUTURE CHAMPION IN THE MAKING?
• MAX VERSTAPPEN: THE EXIT QUESTION
• LEWIS HAMILTON AT FERRARI: A FALSE DAWN OR A GENUINE RETURN?
• THE CHAMPIONSHIP VERDICT: GEORGE TO TAKE IT?
• A GOLDEN ERA FOR BRITISH TALENT

FROM THE COCKPIT TO THE COMMENTARY BOX

Jolyon Palmer spent two seasons racing in Formula One before making the transition to broadcasting with Sky Sports. He is now one of the sport's most respected analysts, and it is a role he believes his time on the grid prepared him well for.

"Until you've actually been inside the paddock, you've been inside a team, especially as a driver, you realise the pressures that people are under," Palmer told Lottoland's UK sports betting site. "I think it gives you a different and probably a better perspective."

His own F1 career had its moments, including a sixth-place finish in Singapore in 2017, a race made bittersweet by the fact he had already been told his seat was gone. The result, he says, still gave him some satisfaction.

"Just the amount of things that had gone wrong that year for me already. And it was my first points of the year. So it took a long time. But to get over the line in probably one of the trickiest races of the year was good."

KIMI ANTONELLI: A FUTURE CHAMPION IN THE MAKING?

One of the biggest stories of the 2026 season has been the rapid rise of teenage Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli. Palmer is in no doubt about the scale of the Italian's talent.

"His raw talent is absolutely clear to see. Some of his wet-weather performances have been really strong, and that is usually a great indicator for a natural feel for grip," Palmer said.

He pointed to Antonelli's debut race in Australia in 2025 as an early sign of what was to come, when the teenager came through to fourth place from the back of the grid while more experienced names were crashing out. For Palmer, performances on low-grip circuits are the clearest mark of Antonelli's ability.

"George Russell is now starting to say low-grip circuits are not so much his thing. But that is where Kimi is good. Having that feel for grip, I think it's innate in him. And at his age to be doing what he's doing, I do think is a sign of greatness."

Palmer also highlighted the role played by race engineer Pete 'Bono' Bonnington, who built his reputation across more than a decade working with Lewis Hamilton. He believes the relationship between Bono and Antonelli is already one of the defining partnerships in the paddock.

"When you look at Bono and Kimi, they have a really great working relationship. And look at Kimi, I think he has a huge respect for Bono, which you don't necessarily have that relationship the other way, where the driver has a massive respect for their race engineer to this level."

MAX VERSTAPPEN: THE EXIT QUESTION

Verstappen's future at Red Bull has dominated the off-track conversation, and Palmer believes the departure of race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase could be the deciding factor in whether Max stays or goes.

"GP, he is so intertwined with Max. They understand each other really well. There's always been an exodus of Red Bull personnel. Chief designer, head of race strategy, team manager, sporting director, and now your race engineer. I think GP leaving will be the biggest loss for Max."

Palmer also noted the broader picture at Red Bull, including whether the power unit can genuinely compete for titles in the coming years. He believes the team faces a significant period of rebuilding, which Verstappen will factor into any decision about his future.

On the title picture itself, Palmer says Verstappen looked reinvigorated in Miami and remains a force when the car allows him to fight at the front. But he is clear about what drives the four-time world champion.

"You get a feeling that he really doesn't care about minor points. He is here to win races, if not championships."

LEWIS HAMILTON AT FERRARI: A FALSE DAWN OR A GENUINE RETURN?

Hamilton started 2026 with renewed energy, and Palmer saw a marked change in the seven-time world champion's demeanour in the early races.

"We saw a reinvigorated Lewis in Melbourne and China. He was super happy, he had a spring in his step. Last year you could see he was just struggling to live with the performance he was putting in."

But Palmer is cautious about reading too much into the early season form. He pointed out that Hamilton also started well in his first year at Ferrari before the gap to Charles Leclerc grew again, and he is watching closely to see whether 2026 follows a similar pattern.

Ferrari are a genuine threat for race wins, Palmer believes, particularly as the calendar moves towards twistier circuits where their chassis advantage matters more and the power unit deficit is less exposed.

"Ferrari will definitely win a race this year. Circuits such as Zandvoort, maybe Budapest, or Canada. They can be really competitive. These early races have been a bad mix for Ferrari because there have been a lot of power-sensitive circuits, which is not their strong suit."

THE CHAMPIONSHIP VERDICT: GEORGE TO TAKE IT?

When asked to name his championship favourite, Palmer comes down on the side of George Russell, drawing comparisons with Lando Norris's title-winning run for McLaren in 2025.

"I see the parallels between him and Lando last year very clearly. George has got huge confidence. His experience and consistency will out over 20-plus races. Kimi still has plenty to prove. And if he does prove it, then he is sensational."

Mercedes, Palmer says, remain the team to beat. Upgrades expected imminently could extend that advantage further, and for anyone looking to challenge them for the constructors' title, the window may be narrowing.

A GOLDEN ERA FOR BRITISH TALENT

Palmer reserved some genuine enthusiasm for the wave of British talent currently coming through the ranks of Formula One, with rookies Arvid Lindblad and Ollie Bearman both making their marks in 2026.

"It is actually crazy how many Brits are doing so well. Arvid has come in and had a great debut and looks like he has a huge amount of talent. Ollie Bearman as well, it is a matter of time before he finds himself in a top seat."

Palmer recalled that during his own time on the grid, it was often just him and Lewis Hamilton flying the flag. Now, with a pipeline of young British drivers from Formula 2 and Formula 3 pushing through, the picture looks very different.

"There was a year where Lewis was on his own. And all of a sudden, the talent is coming through. No doubt it is a pretty amazing time for the Brits."