Lewis Hamilton finally celebrated his first podium finish with Ferrari after an intense and entertaining race at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. The seven-time world champion finished third after a dramatic race that saw him fight both the Mercedes drivers and his own teammate Charles Leclerc in several thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles.
The podium marked Hamilton’s 203rd career podium in Formula 1, but it carried extra meaning as it was his first since joining Ferrari. The achievement came during his 26th race with the Italian team and ended a frustrating drought that stretched back to the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2024, when he was still racing for Mercedes.
Hamilton started the race strongly, launching off the grid from third position and briefly taking the lead thanks to Ferrari’s impressive race start performance. However, the early advantage did not last long as Mercedes’ rising star Kimi Antonelli soon reclaimed the position and eventually went on to win the race. George Russell also managed to get ahead, leaving Hamilton battling to secure the final podium spot.
Despite losing ground to the Mercedes drivers, Hamilton delivered a determined performance to hold off teammate Charles Leclerc in a tense battle for third place. The two Ferrari drivers fought hard throughout the latter stages of the race, exchanging positions multiple times and even making slight contact during one of their close encounters.
Hamilton later described the moment humorously, saying the cars “did touch… just a kiss,” emphasizing that the duel remained fair and competitive. Both drivers appeared to enjoy the fight, showcasing the competitive spirit within the Ferrari team.
After the race, Hamilton admitted that achieving a podium with Ferrari had been one of the toughest challenges of his career. He explained that patience and a strong mental approach helped him remain focused during a difficult debut season with the team.
Ferrari struggled for performance last year, finishing fourth in the championship standings, but the team appears to have made significant progress under the new regulations. In the opening races of the season, Ferrari has emerged as Mercedes’ closest challenger.
Hamilton believes a race victory with Ferrari may not be far away. While he acknowledged that Mercedes still holds a pace advantage of several tenths per lap, he remains confident that the team in Maranello can close the gap.
For Hamilton, the Shanghai podium was more than just another trophy—it was a sign that his long-awaited dream of winning with Ferrari might finally be within reach.
