Lewis Hamilton's first Ferrari GP podium "one of the vital satisfying F1 races ever"

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton stated the Chinese language Grand Prix was ‘one of the vital satisfying F1 races ever’ as he snared his first grand prix podium for the Scuderia.

Hamilton gained China’s dash race from pole final yr, however that was a uncommon spotlight in a tricky debut marketing campaign as he struggled to gel along with his scarlet equipment.

However following a brief winter to recharge his batteries, the seven-time world champion seems to be revitalised as he has discovered F1’s new-for-2026 automobiles way more to his liking, qualifying forward of team-mate Charles Leclerc in China earlier than happening to take his first correct grand prix podium for the Maranello squad.

Lewis Hamilton congratulates his Mercedes successor Kimi Antonelli on his maiden grand prix win.

Picture by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Pictures

After battling Leclerc and each Mercedes automobiles wheel-to-wheel for almost all of the race, Hamilton claimed the Chinese language Grand Prix had been one of the vital entertaining races he has been part of, whereas additionally saluting his Mercedes successor Kimi Antonelli.

“Properly, firstly I’ve to say an enormous congratulations to Kimi. I am so so glad for you, buddy, and I am so honoured to have the ability to share this second with him,” Hamilton stated. “He took my seat clearly at this nice workforce, so massive congratulations to Mercedes.

“We have got numerous work to do to attempt to sustain however I had a lot enjoyable. It is one of the vital satisfying races that I’ve had in a protracted, very long time, if ever. The truth that the automobiles are the way in which they’re this yr and that battle with Charles on the finish was superior, nice wheel-to-wheel battle, particularly reasonable and simply what we wish.

“I feel there was one second we did contact, but it surely was only a kiss so it is okay. However that is what it is about. It is about powerful racing.”

“I feel there was one second we did contact, but it surely was only a kiss so it is okay.”

Picture by: Andy Hone/ LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures

Hamilton briefly catapulted into the lead because the Ferrari’s superior begins once more proved a priceless benefit. However because the race went on, Mercedes’ actual benefit emerged, with the Ferraris having taken an excessive amount of life out of their tyres of their determined battle to take the battle to Mercedes, which they paid the worth for afterward.

“They’re actually pulling forward in the meanwhile,” he added. “I’ve acquired to say an enormous thanks to everybody at Ferrari, everybody again at Maranello for getting us into this place. I do know it isn’t precisely the place we wish to be. We wish to be up entrance the place these guys are, however we have an ideal platform to work off and we have simply acquired to go actually full gasoline.”

Photographs from Chinese language GP – Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes