Lewis Hamilton praises Ferrari SF-26 but Mercedes remains unbeatable on the straights | F1 China Sprint. Lewis Hamilton finished third in the Chinese GP Sprint.

Lewis Hamilton secured third place in the Sprint race of the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, showcasing a significantly improved connection with the Ferrari SF-26 while acknowledging that Mercedes remains untouchable on the straights. The seven-time World Champion fought for several laps to challenge George Russell for the lead, but tire degradation eventually forced him to relinquish the position. During the race, Hamilton also engaged in a prolonged duel with his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, before Leclerc managed to extend his gap.

The British driver demonstrated once again his exceptional starting ability, immediately overtaking Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris at the first corners. In the subsequent sequence of turns, Hamilton also launched a successful attack on the race leader George Russell, briefly taking the lead of the Sprint. This performance sends positive signals about Hamilton’s comfort and feedback with the 2026 Ferrari machinery, which seems to offer a far better driving experience than the 2025 SF-26 models.

Hamilton back on the podium in Shanghai Sprint

The Sprint race in Shanghai served as a preview of what Lewis Hamilton and the Ferrari team might deliver in the main Grand Prix. The start of the 2026 season suggests that the SF-26 could perform better in race conditions than in qualifying. A late Safety Car intervention briefly dropped the Briton to fourth position, but he quickly recovered by overtaking Lando Norris, ultimately claiming the final spot on the podium.

After the race, Lewis Hamilton reflected on the team’s performance and strategy. He acknowledged that Ferrari put them in a position to challenge the dominant Mercedes, noting that while the opening laps were extremely close, Mercedes currently has superior speed on the straights. He also admitted that his left front tire suffered from overuse early in the race, which forced him to give up the lead temporarily.

“I have to thank the team for putting us in a position to fight with the Mercedes cars. It was a very close challenge at the start, but they have too much speed on the straights compared to us at the moment. I think I raced well, but I overused my left front tire and had to give up the position,” Hamilton said after leaving the car.

He added that the SF-26 feels significantly better this year in terms of design and drivability. Being involved in the development and testing of the car, Hamilton expressed satisfaction with the improvements. Although finishing third may not be ideal, he remains determined to push harder in upcoming races.

“It feels like a much better car this year in how it has been designed. I have been part of the project and its development, and for that, I am pleased. I even led during the race, so finishing third is not perfect, but I will continue to give my best,” he concluded.

The Shanghai circuit once again proved favorable for Lewis Hamilton, who had previously triumphed there last season. During qualifying, he managed to stay ahead of Charles Leclerc, but in the Sprint race, tire wear affected his pace in the battle with George Russell, causing him to lose a position.