Hamilton Fires Back at Critics After First Ferrari Podium
After a winless 2025 debut with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton finally stood on the podium in China. He’s now fourth in the standings and tells doubters his career isn’t over, praising the new 50‑50 hybrid era.
Lewis Hamilton has taken a swipe at the pundits who wrote him off after a bleak debut with Ferrari in 2025. The seven‑time champion broke his podium drought in China and now sits fourth in the drivers’ standings, eight points behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
Why it matters:
- Silencing the doubters boosts Hamilton’s marketability and reinforces Ferrari’s narrative of resurgence.
- It underscores how the new 50‑50 hybrid regulations level the playing field, rewarding driver skill and rapid development.
- His resurgence also gives Mercedes a marquee driver to lose, reshaping the sport’s market dynamics.
The details:
- Hamilton’s first Ferrari podium arrived at the Chinese Grand Prix – his 26th race for the team.
- He currently holds fourth place with 138 points, eight behind Leclerc and 25 behind leader Max Verstappen.
- Hamilton praised the 2026 rule set for eliminating the ‘bouncing’ of the ground‑effect era, saying the season now hinges on development speed.
What's next:
- The next race is Miami, where Hamilton will aim to add another podium and keep pressure on Leclerc.
- A sustained comeback could reshape the championship battle and influence his future contract talks.
Don't miss the next lap
Get the deep dives and technical analysis from the world of F1 delivered to your inbox twice a week.
Zero spam. Only high-octane analysis. Unsubscribe anytime.
Join the inner circle
Get the deep dives and technical analysis from the world of F1 delivered to your inbox twice a week.
Zero spam. Only high-octane analysis. Unsubscribe anytime.
