Shanghai, China : Lewis Hamilton secured his first podium with Ferrari on Sunday, finishing third at the Chinese Grand Prix after an intense battle with teammate Charles Leclerc.
The race at the Shanghai International Circuit was won by 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who replaced Hamilton at Mercedes last season. Championship leader George Russell finished second, completing a strong result for the team.
For Hamilton, the podium ended a long wait after joining Ferrari in 2025 and going through a full season without a grand prix podium for the first time in his career.
“I have to say a huge congrats to Kimi. I’m so happy for you buddy, and I’m honoured to share this moment with him,” Hamilton told fans after the race.
The podium symbolised Mercedes’ past, present and future, with former Hamilton race engineer Peter Bonnington—now Antonelli’s engineer—collecting the constructors’ trophy alongside the drivers. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the moment as one of the most emotional of his career.
Hamilton briefly led early in the race and later fought hard with Leclerc, their cars even touching during a close duel.
“To fight back and get to third was a hell of a push,” Hamilton said. “A massive thank you to Ferrari for my first podium with them. It’s a huge moment for me.”
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said the result was an important step for the team but admitted they still had ground to make up on Mercedes.
“It’s a good weekend overall but we are still far away from the Mercs,” he said. “We still have four or five tenths to find, and that’s a lot.”
