Bottas: Wolff 'happy' with Hamilton's Ferrari podium in China

Valtteri Bottas believes former Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will have been pleased to see Lewis Hamilton secure his first podium for Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix, suggesting a unique perspective on their past partnership and current rivalry. Hamilton's third-place finish in Shanghai marked a significant personal milestone after a difficult debut season with the Scuderia in 2025, signaling a potential resurgence for the seven-time champion.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's successful transition to Ferrari and return to competitive form has major implications for the F1 landscape. After years of Mercedes dominance with Hamilton and Bottas, seeing a key figure from that era thrive elsewhere tests the dynamics of loyalty and competition in the sport's top echelon. Bottas's insight offers a rare glimpse into the personal reactions behind the team rivalries.

The details:

• A Unique Prediction: Bottas, who partnered with Hamilton at Mercedes from 2017-2021, stated he thinks Toto Wolff will be "happy" with Hamilton's podium, noting Ferrari and Mercedes are "not that far" apart in performance.
• Hamilton's Rejuvenation: The 2025 season was a struggle for Hamilton at Ferrari, leading to doubts about his future. The 2026 season has shown a marked improvement, with the driver appearing "rejuvenated" and "much happier behind the wheel."
• Bottas's Analysis: The Finnish driver was unsurprised by Hamilton's progress, attributing it to the natural settling-in period of a second season with a new team. He cited increased familiarity with team operations and reduced pressure as key factors.
  • "I always knew that the second year would be way easier for him," Bottas said. "He knows how everything works, there's less pressure."
• Historical Context: The Chinese GP was a fitting venue for the milestone, as Ferrari showed strong performance there in the previous season, hinting at a car well-suited to the circuit.

What's next:

Hamilton's podium is a positive signal for Ferrari's 2026 campaign and his own career longevity. If this form continues, it could ignite a more sustained challenge from the Italian team and reshape the narrative around Hamilton's final years in F1. All eyes will be on whether this result is a circuit-specific success or the start of a genuine comeback trend for the veteran driver and his new team.