Lewis Hamilton is back on the podium with Ferrari, and he has done it in the most meaningful way possible: by outqualifying Charles Leclerc, beating him in the race, and finishing just behind the two Mercedes cars. In Shanghai, the seven-time world champion delivered his most convincing performance yet in red, while still admitting that the journey is far from complete.
A long-awaited podium after 26 races: Hamilton breaks through with Ferrari
At the Shanghai International Circuit, where he had taken a Sprint victory last year, Lewis Hamilton finally secured his first podium with the Scuderia after a record wait of 26 races. A result that feels like both relief and confirmation.
“I started this journey and this dream of moving to Ferrari and getting on the top step with them, and this podium has taken longer than I hoped.
After a difficult year like the last one, being able to be part of the development with them, working with them over the past year, fills me with pride and it’s a real privilege to be part of this brand. They have given us a really solid car.”
The British driver had the upper hand over Leclerc in both qualifying sessions and throughout the long battle on Sunday, confirming clear progress compared to 2025.
When asked about his form, Hamilton was unequivocal:
“I definitely feel back to my best, both mentally and physically, yes.”
New methods, new engineer, new Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton sees more potential
Despite the podium, Lewis Hamilton is not hiding: there is still work to do, especially in adapting to the team and extracting the maximum from the SF-26.
“I really believe there is still more performance to come. I think I can still extract more from this car. I’m still learning about it as I go, especially when it comes to tyre usage.”
This winter’s preparation has been the most demanding of his career, partly due to age and the need to adapt to a completely new technical environment. In addition, the move to a new race engineer, Carlo Santi, represents another key element of this transition phase:
“This winter’s training has been the hardest and most intense I’ve ever done, and that probably goes hand in hand with getting older. It takes longer to recover. But I’ve managed to put together these new tools.”
Lewis Hamilton also underlined how important it has been to contribute to the development of the 2026 car, after not being able to influence the SF-25.
“Developing the car with them this year and seeing that they listen to me and implement some of the things I asked for makes me incredibly grateful to them. It just makes you feel more united with everyone because we are all moving in the same direction.”
Team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed how this early involvement has made a difference:
“Honestly, I think the second season is always much easier, because you are part of the project from the beginning; he was already in the simulator in mid-2025, when we launched the project.
He also knows everyone a bit better, the relationship is improving more and more. Step by step, we need to make small improvements, because that is how we will close the gap.”
The Shanghai podium is not a finishing point—it is the first real sign that Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari are starting to speak the same language.
The form is gradually returning, confidence is growing, and the potential is there. And if this is only the beginning, the season could become far more interesting than expected.
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