After a long wait, Lewis Hamilton finished third in the Shanghai Grand Prix, earning his first podium for Ferrari and ending a 477-day drought since the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. It came after 26 races with the team, making the moment feel truly special. For Lewis Hamilton, this result proved his perseverance and showed he still has the speed to fight at the front. He called it his biggest challenge but also a milestone.
Ferrari Teammates Battle Hard in Thrilling Shanghai Duel
Ferrari fans witnessed an exhilarating intra-team battle in Shanghai as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc fought wheel-to-wheel for third place. The duel lasted from laps 24 to 27 and even included light contact between the cars, making the team principal nervous. Despite the tension, Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc praised the fair racing. The fight finally ended with Hamilton staying ahead, giving fans exciting entertainment and showing strong respect between teammates throughout the dramatic race moment.
Ferrari’s Lightning Start Shows Early Race Strength
Ferrari impressed again with a powerful race start in Shanghai, showing exceptional launch speed off the grid. Starting from third place, Lewis Hamilton quickly surged into the lead within moments of lights out, proving Ferrari can challenge Mercedes at the start. Although Mercedes looked stronger over the full race distance, the early pace highlighted Ferrari’s growing confidence. For Lewis Hamilton, the strong launch showed how competitive the car can be when everything works perfectly together.
Ferrari Still Trails Mercedes Despite Podium Progress
Even after a podium finish, Ferrari still showed a noticeable gap to Mercedes during the race. The SF-26 was around four to five tenths slower in race pace, especially on long, high-speed straights where the Silver Arrows remained dominant. Lewis Hamilton managed a strong result despite this limitation, showing determination and skill. While the car is a clear improvement from 2025, Ferrari still needs development to consistently match Mercedes across an entire race weekend.
Hamilton Regains Confidence as Ferrari Momentum Grows
After a tough beginning with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton showed a refreshed mindset during the China race weekend. He said he finally felt his mojo back, thanks to a positive mental attitude and a strong performance on track. For Lewis Hamilton, this result boosted both his confidence and the team’s belief. The podium finish improved Ferrari’s momentum and confirmed that they can now fight regularly at the front, becoming a consistent challenger for podium places this season.
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