Lewis Hamilton achieved a major milestone by securing his first podium with Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix, and the moment was highlighted by an enthusiastic radio reaction from Ferrari Academy driver Oliver Bearman. Until Sunday, Hamilton had failed to finish in the top three in his first 25 races for Ferrari—the longest such streak in the team’s storied history.
Hamilton had dominated Formula 1 between 2014 and 2020, capturing six world championships in seven seasons. However, his opening season with Ferrari left him as an underdog. Morale suffered so significantly in 2025 that he publicly described himself as “useless” and even suggested that Ferrari might consider a replacement driver. Yet the winter rule changes for 2026 appear to have revitalized him, enabling him to match his best qualifying and race results from 2025 before finally breaking into the top three on Sunday.
The race was a rollercoaster for Lewis Hamilton. He led during the opening laps, dropped as low as fourth, but ultimately fought back in a thrilling on-track battle with teammate Charles Leclerc to claim the podium finish. The result marked a turning point in Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari career and underscored his adaptation to the team’s 2026 SF-26 chassis and new regulations.
Oliver Bearman praises Hamilton’s Ferrari milestone
Another standout performer in China was Oliver Bearman, who scored one of the strongest results of his young career by finishing P5 for Haas. Bearman benefited from the absence of the two McLarens, who were due to start on the third row, but his consistent midfield performances since the start of the season have already showcased his potential as a rising star within the Ferrari Driver Academy.
Ironically, Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence could slow Ollie Bearman’s path to a Formula 1 seat with the Maranello team. At just 20 years old, the Ferrari junior is effectively waiting for the veteran to finish his contract before he can make his dream move to the Scuderia. With Hamilton demonstrating strong form in the first two rounds, it appears likely that the British driver will remain with Ferrari for at least another year, completing his current contract.
After the race, Ollie Bearman expressed his excitement upon learning from Haas engineer Ronan O’Hara that Lewis Hamilton had reached a significant milestone. His reaction over team radio was simple but genuine: he remarked that it was “cool” that Hamilton had achieved his first podium with Ferrari, showing the admiration young drivers have for the seven-time world champion.
Charles Leclerc acknowledges Hamilton’s pace
Last season, Charles Leclerc comfortably outperformed Lewis Hamilton, beating him in 18 of the 21 races they both finished. However, Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix suggested that a more genuine rivalry could be developing between the two Ferrari drivers in 2026. While Leclerc was frustrated during their battle in the Sprint Race on Saturday, he described the Grand Prix encounter as “fun,” even while actively racing against Hamilton.
Unbroadcast radio messages captured Charles Leclerc praising his teammate’s pace once the British driver had moved ahead for good. Ferrari strategist Bryan Bozzi provided real-time feedback on lap times, informing Leclerc that he was three-tenths slower than Lewis Hamilton. The Monegasque acknowledged the gap and admitted that Lewis Hamilton was “very fast at the moment,” demonstrating respect for his teammate’s speed while hinting at the competitive battles to come.
Historic podium for Hamilton and key figures
Joining Lewis Hamilton on the podium were Andrea Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, and Peter Bonnington—representing a mix of current rivals, former teammates, and key technical allies. Toto Wolff described Hamilton’s podium as one of the most memorable moments of his Formula 1 career, highlighting both the personal and professional significance of the result. For Ferrari, the milestone signals a potentially strong partnership between Hamilton and Leclerc as they continue to adapt to the 2026 regulations and push for victories throughout the season.
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