Lewis Hamilton claimed his first podium for Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix, his 203rd career podium, and called it a turning point for him and the team. The result capped a strong start to 2026 for Ferrari at the Shanghai International Circuit. The team sits second in the Constructors’ standings, with Charles Leclerc on 49 points and Hamilton on 41. Ferrari has stood on the podium at all three rounds so far.
The context made the Shanghai rostrum carry weight. Hamilton came off a winless 2025 and a hard first year adapting to a new team. Ferrari also ended last year with an underdeveloped car at the close of a rules phase. Early 2026 form has been firmer. The China finish gave clear proof of progress and showed their winter work is landing on track.
The moment also felt personal. This was Hamilton’s first Sunday podium in Ferrari colors. He shared it with family and former colleagues, including his former race engineer Peter “Bono” Bonnington, George Russell, and Kimi Antonelli. The scene brought a mix of nostalgia and relief after a long stretch without the results he wanted.
Hamilton pointed to a very different second winter with Ferrari as the driver of change. He described a positive culture and a tighter process from factory to track. He took a hands-on role in shaping development, visiting Maranello, meeting departments across the team, and helping focus resources on areas with the best return. He said the group learned from the end of last year, when the car reached the limit of an aging package. That review informed this season’s direction and allowed the team to unlock more performance sooner.
The pace and result in Shanghai have lifted Hamilton’s mood. He said the podium eased pressure and renewed his motivation. He feels more connected to the car and the project. The finish gives him the confidence to keep attacking and keep building with Ferrari as the calendar unfolds. Inside the garage, the team sees the outcome as validation of the off-season plan and of Hamilton’s growing influence on development.
Ferrari’s early run of podiums sets a clear baseline. The points haul from Leclerc and Hamilton places the team in a strong position after three rounds. Hamilton’s China podium stands as a marker of momentum and a sign that the hard work of the winter is starting to pay off on Sundays.