Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton Achieves Podium Finish in Shanghai

“I definitely feel like I’m back to my best, both mentally and physically,” Lewis Hamilton stated after securing a third-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix on March 15, 2026. This race, held at the Shanghai International Circuit, marked a significant milestone for Hamilton, as it was his first podium with Ferrari.

The race featured a thrilling battle between Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc for the final podium position. Hamilton described the experience as one of the most enjoyable races he has had, highlighting the competitive spirit that defined the event.

Hamilton’s podium finish comes after a challenging debut season with Ferrari, which he previously referred to as a “nightmare”. His performance in Shanghai indicates a potential turnaround, as he expressed confidence in his ability to extract more performance from the car.

The race was won by Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, with Hamilton finishing 25.27 seconds behind the winner. Leclerc, who also competed fiercely for the podium, finished just 28.89 seconds off the pace.

During the race, Hamilton and Leclerc had a brief moment of contact, which Hamilton referred to as “just a kiss”. This incident, however, did not overshadow their competitive camaraderie on the track.

Hamilton’s third-place finish is notable as it marks his first podium since the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2024. He currently holds 33 points in the championship standings, while Leclerc has 34 points, and George Russell leads with 51 points.

The race also featured an early Safety Car, which significantly affected the order and strategy of the race. This added an element of unpredictability, making the battle for positions even more intense.

As the season progresses, Hamilton’s performance in Shanghai suggests that he may be regaining his form, and fans are eager to see how he and Ferrari will perform in the upcoming races.

With the season still unfolding, Hamilton’s statement about feeling at his best raises expectations for future races. “I do think there’s more to come. I think I can still eke out more performance from this car,” he remarked, indicating his determination to improve further.

As the team looks ahead, the focus will be on building on this momentum and continuing to challenge for podiums in the remaining races of the season.