Hamilton hails 'most enjoyable' race after first Ferrari podium in China

Lewis Hamilton secured his first grand prix podium for Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix, describing the intense battle as "one of the most enjoyable races" he's ever had. The seven-time champion, who qualified ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, engaged in a fierce wheel-to-wheel fight with both Ferraris and Mercedes throughout the race. He also took a moment to congratulate his Mercedes successor, Kimi Antonelli, on scoring his maiden F1 victory.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's strong performance and clear enjoyment signal a successful adaptation to Ferrari and a revitalization with the new 2026 car regulations. After a challenging debut season with the Scuderia, this podium represents a significant mental and competitive milestone, proving the team has a "great platform to work off" in its quest to catch the dominant Mercedes squad.

The details:

• Hamilton's race was defined by a prolonged and thrilling battle, primarily with teammate Charles Leclerc and the two Mercedes cars, which he called "awesome" and "very fair."
• He acknowledged a minor touch with Leclerc during their fight, humorously referring to it as "just a kiss."
• Ferrari's trademark strong starts initially propelled Hamilton into the lead, but the team's aggressive early pace took a toll on tire life, costing them performance later in the race compared to Mercedes.
• Despite finishing behind the winning Mercedes, Hamilton was effusive in his praise for the Ferrari team's efforts to bring him to a competitive position.

What's next:

The Chinese GP result provides Ferrari and Hamilton with tangible proof of progress. Hamilton's comments indicate he is now much more comfortable with the car, which could translate to more consistent challenges for podiums. The team's immediate focus will be on understanding its tire management issues to convert strong qualifying and race starts into sustained race-long performance capable of challenging for wins.