Lewis Hamilton secured his first podium in Ferrari red at the Chinese Grand Prix, finishing P3 in a thriller at Shanghai. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finally returned to the Formula One podium after more than a year away, finishing third for Scuderia Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
Hamilton’s result marked his first top three finish since the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2024, ending a frustrating stretch in which the Briton struggled to regularly challenge at the front of the field.
The podium also represented a milestone moment in Hamilton’s Ferrari career. After joining the Italian team ahead of the 2025 season following his long tenure with Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, the early stages of his time in red had been filled with adaptation and rebuilding.
In Shanghai, however, Hamilton finally had the opportunity to celebrate. The veteran driver fought through an intense race that featured close battles throughout the field as the new generation of cars produced tight racing across the grid.
Hamilton described the race as one of the most enjoyable he had experienced in recent years, praising the competitiveness and the challenge of fighting wheel to wheel once again.
“It was one of the most enjoyable races,” Hamilton said after stepping out of the car. “Just battling and pushing all the way through the race.”
The result came in a race dominated by Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who secured a one two finish for Mercedes. Antonelli’s victory was the first of his career and confirmed the Silver Arrows as the early benchmark under Formula One’s new regulations.
Despite missing out on the top step, Hamilton’s podium was still a significant moment for Ferrari. It provided a glimpse that the Scuderia may be capable of consistently fighting near the front as the season develops.
For Hamilton personally, the Shanghai podium was a reminder that after a difficult period and a major career move, he can still compete at the sharp end of Formula One.