Lewis Hamilton celebrated his first podium finish with Ferrari at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, finishing behind race winner Kimi Antonelli and runner-up George Russell. While the seven-time world champion praised the Italian for a flawless victory, he also highlighted that Ferrari still needs to address key performance issues to remain competitive throughout the season.
The most striking moment of the race was Hamilton’s intense on-track battle with teammate Charles Leclerc. The duel showcased Hamilton’s returning sharpness and racecraft, demonstrating the veteran driver’s ability to push the limits of the SF-26. Despite the excitement this battle created for fans, Hamilton emphasized that Ferrari’s car still has areas requiring attention, particularly during the mid-stint phase of races.
Hamilton admits podium required “a hell of a push”
After the Shanghai Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton reflected on the challenges he faced en route to his first top-three finish with Ferrari. He acknowledged that while the team had prepared well, he experienced difficulties in the middle of the race, losing ground to George Russell and Charles Leclerc before mounting a recovery to secure third place.
The Briton explained that while the SF-26 showed strong race pace on hard tyres in the opening rounds of the season, there is room for improvement on medium tyres and during certain race stints. He described the effort to climb back to the podium as “a hell of a push” and stressed the importance of continuing to refine the car to maximize performance in all conditions.
He also took a moment to thank the Ferrari team, noting that this podium represents a major milestone in his ongoing journey with the Scuderia. Lewis Hamilton described the result as “a huge moment” for him personally, underlining the significance of achieving top-three success in the iconic red livery.
Behind the scenes: Hamilton’s preparation impressed even his mother
Lewis Hamilton revealed that he brought his mother to the Chinese Grand Prix and gave her an insight into the extensive preparation required to race at the highest level. He admitted that she was shocked by the amount of work he puts in daily, likening it to “studying for a test every day” and highlighting the discipline and focus needed to perform at the elite level.
Lewis Hamilton’s mother was reportedly amazed by the dedication involved, and the Briton suggested that seeing the results on race day, with him returning to peak form in the Ferrari SF-26, made all the preparation worthwhile. The veteran driver’s resurgence has not only bolstered his confidence but also positioned him as a potential pace-setter alongside Charles Leclerc early in the 2026 season.
Hamilton and Leclerc set the tone for Ferrari’s 2026 campaign
With both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc showing strong early-season form, Ferrari looks better equipped to challenge Mercedes for the top spots in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s podium finish demonstrates that the SF-26 has potential, but addressing mid-race performance gaps will be critical for Ferrari to maintain consistency and extract maximum results from both drivers as the season progresses.
Overall, Lewis Hamilton’s combination of experience, determination, and technical feedback is proving invaluable for Ferrari as they aim to compete at the front of the grid in 2026, providing the Scuderia with a strong platform for both podiums and potential race wins.
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