Lewis Hamilton identifies the key performance gap between Ferrari SF-26 and Mercedes W17. Hamilton highlights the crucial distinction between Ferrari and Mercedes’ 2026 F1 machines.

Lewis Hamilton finally returned to the podium with Ferrari at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, ending a frustrating streak without a top-three finish. Despite his strong performance, the seven-time world champion could not overcome his former team as Mercedes claimed another dominant 1-2 result.

Driving the Ferrari SF-26, Hamilton achieved a third-place finish on just his 26th race in red. After a brilliant launch off the line, Lewis Hamilton initially took the lead but was eventually overtaken by Kimi Antonelli, who secured his first-ever Formula 1 victory. The young Italian became the second-youngest Grand Prix winner in history, immediately earning congratulations from Lewis Hamilton on the podium.

Throughout the race, Lewis Hamilton engaged in a fierce battle with his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. The intra-team rivalry allowed George Russell to slip through and claim second place, but the Briton ultimately proved the stronger of the two Ferrari drivers to secure a well-earned podium finish.

Hamilton highlights Ferrari’s power deficit against Mercedes

Speaking to the Italian version of the Motorsport website after the Chinese GP, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that the SF-26 is competitive in corners but admitted that Ferrari still lag behind Mercedes on the straights. He noted that the Silver Arrows enjoy a significant advantage in engine power, which makes defending difficult at high-speed sections of the circuit.

Lewis Hamilton explained that Mercedes’ power unit seems to have been developed earlier in the offseason, giving them an edge in top-end speed. While the Ferrari SF-26 can match the W17 in cornering performance, it is struggling to keep pace down the straights. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion suggested that the team may need to focus not only on engine performance but also on straight-line aerodynamic efficiency to close the gap.

He added that catching Mercedes will require a combination of incremental engine upgrades and improved aerodynamic solutions, expressing cautious optimism that Ferrari can eventually challenge for victories.

Chinese GP shows Hamilton is back to peak form

The first two races of the 2026 season have demonstrated that Lewis Hamilton is fully comfortable with the new regulations and the SF-26. The 41-year-old driver has regained confidence in his driving style, showing a more positive attitude both on and off the track. His performance in Shanghai confirmed that he is closing the gap to teammate Charles Leclerc, reversing the dynamic from the 2025 season when he was often outpaced by the Monegasque star.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur praised Lewis Hamilton’s form, noting that the seven-time world champion is now pushing Leclerc harder than ever in the SF-26. While Hamilton’s renewed pace is encouraging for Ferrari, the team faces the ongoing challenge of reducing Mercedes’ advantage on the straights if they are to convert podiums into race wins and mount a serious challenge for the 2026 championship.

Looking ahead

With Lewis Hamilton demonstrating his competitiveness and resilience, Ferrari now has a clear roadmap: continue refining the SF-26’s straight-line performance, capitalize on cornering strength, and maintain internal competition between the Briton and his Maranello teammate. If the team can successfully address these areas, they may finally close the gap to Mercedes and start converting strong qualifying and podium results into race victories.