A New Milestone for Hamilton
After securing his first podium finish with Ferrari at the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has expressed confidence that he is back to his best form. Despite this personal milestone, the British driver maintains that there is still significant room for further development and refinement.
Returning to the Shanghai International Circuit—a track where he achieved a rare sprint victory last season—Hamilton outperformed his teammate Charles Leclerc throughout the weekend. After a competitive Sunday battle, he successfully clinched third place, trailing only the dominant Mercedes duo.
This result marks the end of a long-awaited goal for the veteran driver. «I started this voyage and this dream of moving to Ferrari and being on the top step with them, and this podium has taken longer than I had hoped,» Hamilton noted, highlighting the pride he feels in contributing to the development of the team’s current machine.
Physical and Technical Evolution
When asked if he had rediscovered his peak form following a challenging inaugural season in Maranello, the 41-year-old was unequivocal: «I definitely feel like I’m back to my best, both mentally and physically, yes.»
Hamilton attributed this resurgence to an intense training regimen over the winter, noting the demands of balancing aging with elite-level fitness. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of his new working relationship with race engineer Carlo Santi, which has provided a fresh perspective within his garage.
The Path to Further Improvement
Looking ahead, Hamilton insists that his performance ceiling has not yet been reached. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with the engineering team, noting that his ability to influence the car's direction has grown significantly compared to his first year.
«To then develop the car with them this year and to see them listen and put some of those things that I’d asked for on the car, I’m incredibly grateful to them for listening on that side of things. It just makes you feel more united with everyone because you’re moving in the same direction,» he explained.
Team Perspective on Integration
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur believes that Hamilton's progress is a natural outcome of deeper integration. Because Hamilton joined the team late ahead of the 2025 season, his influence on initial development was limited. Vasseur noted that the dynamic has shifted significantly now that the driver has been involved in the project from its inception.
«I think it's always much easier the second season, because you are part of the project from the beginning,» Vasseur remarked. «He knows everybody a little bit better, the relationship is getting better and better, and it's easier for him to deal with people. Step by step, we have to achieve marginal gains, because it's like this that we’ll close the gap.»