Hamilton confident 'more to come' after first Ferrari podium

Lewis Hamilton has broken his podium drought with a third-place finish for Ferrari in China, marking his best start to a season since 2021 and signaling a significant personal turnaround. The seven-time champion credits a renewed winter training regimen and a car that better suits his style, expressing confidence that he and the team can close the gap to the dominant Mercedes squad.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's return to form is a major boost for Ferrari's championship aspirations and revitalizes one of the sport's biggest stars. After a difficult, podium-less first season with the Scuderia, his improved performance and positive mindset are critical for the team's morale and development race against Mercedes, which has started 2026 with back-to-back one-two finishes.

The details:

• Ending the Drought: Hamilton's podium in Shanghai was his first in 16 months and his first top-three finish since joining Ferrari, ending a career-worst dry spell that defined his challenging 2025 season.
• A New Mindset: The driver initiated a rigorous physical and mental reset starting on Christmas Day, undertaking his "most intense" winter training to prepare for the new season at age 41.
• Car Suitability: Analysts and Hamilton himself note the new 2026 car regulations—moving away from the previous ground-effect era—play to his strengths. He has stated the car "talks to him" and has praised the quality of wheel-to-wheel racing.
• Increased Influence: Now in his second year, Hamilton feels more integrated, noting the team listened to his feedback on car development for the 2026 challenger, creating a stronger sense of unity and direction.
• Team Dynamic: He has matched teammate Charles Leclerc's pace in the opening races, a consistency he lacked last year, though Ferrari's last win remains Carlos Sainz's 2024 victory in Mexico City.

What's next:

While the podium makes a first Ferrari win feel "more in sight," Hamilton is clear about the challenge ahead, estimating Mercedes holds a four-to-five-tenths per lap advantage in race trim. The immediate focus shifts to the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, where Ferrari will look to continue building momentum and chip away at the leaders' early-season advantage.