Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has insisted that Lewis Hamilton will "without doubt" return to the peak of Formula 1.
Hamilton enters the new power unit regulations on the back of his worst season in F1, which also happened to be his first campaign with Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion failed to secure a single grand prix podium in 2025, with his best results being two sprint rostrums, one of which was a victory in China.
However, much of Hamilton's difficulties last season were down to adjusting to such a different team compared to Mercedes, whom he spent 12 years with.
It was not just the team's setup and culture that required a period of settling in, but also how Ferrari's car behaved and braked.
Hamilton has never liked the ground-effect era, something which made his Ferrari move even more difficult.
At 41 years old, age is not in the Briton's favour, but Bolt is convinced that Hamilton will return to the top of F1.
Discussing whether Hamilton can return to the top and the difficulties of remaining physically and mentally fit as you get older, Bolt exclusively explained to RacingNews365: "For me, it's always going to be tough. But as a person who knows what it takes to get to the top, it's never going to be perfect.
"It's much easier to get back to the top, because you know the work, and you know what you need to do to get back on top.
"So for me, I know it's going to be tough on Lewis. It's going to take him at least two years to really get comfortable, settle in, and get used to Ferrari.
"So I look forward to the upcoming years; he's going to really show up again."
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Hamilton still the GOAT in Bolt's eyes
The new regulations do appear to be a real positive for Hamilton, who spoke very highly of how Ferrari's 2026 car felt following the five-day Barcelona test.
In that test, Hamilton ended up as the quickest driver, and while nothing can be read into the times, it does at least give both him and the Scuderia something to build confidence from.
Hamilton has been pursuing an elusive eighth title since securing his seventh in 2020. Not only does Bolt believe he can achieve it, but the fastest man alive also insists Hamilton is the greatest F1 driver of all time.
Asked if he still believes Hamilton is the greatest F1 driver of all time, Bolt replied: "Yeah, definitely, without doubt.
"I look forward to the moment when he gets back on top, because, as I said, he knows what it takes to get there and to stay there."
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Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes and Nick Golding, as they look back on last week's five-day F1 test in Barcelona. McLaren's upgrade strategy is discussed, as is Aston Martin grabbing much attention with its striking AMR26.
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