Lewis Hamilton has finally secured his first podium finish with Ferrari in the 2026 season, ending a long 16-month wait. After finishing third in China, Hamilton is feeling confident about the rest of the season. He has had a strong start to the year, with a fourth-place finish in Melbourne and a third-place finish in Shanghai, marking his best start since 2021.
After a tough 2025 season, Hamilton has shown a more positive attitude this year, both mentally and physically. He feels like he’s back to his best and still believes there is room for improvement, especially with the new Ferrari car. He’s learning more about the car’s energy deployment and is determined to get the most out of it as the season progresses.
Hamilton’s approach to this season has been influenced by a reset during the winter break. He worked hard in training over the off-season, focusing on physical fitness and mental preparation. This new mindset, along with a new engineer and good morale within the Ferrari team, has made a big difference.
The 2026 F1 cars, which are narrower and lighter, seem to suit Hamilton’s driving style better than the previous ground-effect cars. While the new cars have received mixed opinions from drivers, Hamilton enjoys the improved racing and feels more comfortable behind the wheel. He has been involved in exciting battles on track, including with his teammate Charles Leclerc, which he describes as some of the best racing he’s ever experienced.
Overall, Hamilton’s return to form with Ferrari has lifted his spirits, and he’s eager to continue improving throughout the season. His recent results show that the changes he’s made, both in terms of physical training and mental approach, are paying off as he looks to challenge for more podiums and possibly a championship.
From Podium to Victory: Hamilton Feels Ferrari Win is Near
After securing his first podium finish with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton is more confident than ever about achieving his first race victory with the Scuderia. While it took time for Hamilton to reach the top-three in a Ferrari car, his podium finish in China is a sign that a race win could be on the horizon.
Despite Ferrari’s struggles in 2025, the team managed multiple top-three finishes, including a third-place finish for Charles Leclerc in Melbourne to open the 2026 season. However, it’s Grand Prix victories that have continued to elude Ferrari, with their last win coming from Carlos Sainz at the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix.
For Hamilton, securing a podium finish has made his first win with Ferrari feel closer than it did in the previous year. But he acknowledges that there is still significant work to be done to close the gap to Mercedes, who have dominated with consistent one-two finishes since the start of the new F1 era.
“I definitely feel that it’s more in sight than ever before. Last year it couldn’t have been further away,” Hamilton said. “We were closer in qualifying in China, but in race conditions, Mercedes still have four or five tenths on us.”
Hamilton highlighted the challenge ahead, noting that Mercedes’ advantage comes from better downforce, efficiency, and power. Overcoming these differences will require substantial upgrades for Ferrari, but Hamilton remains optimistic.
“I believe in everyone back in Maranello. It’s not an impossible feat to overcome,” he added. “We just have to keep pushing. Forza Ferrari!”
With a podium secured and the belief that a win is within reach, Hamilton’s focus remains on the continuous development needed to challenge Mercedes and secure his first victory with Ferrari.
