Hamilton says first Ferrari win 'more in sight' after maiden podium in China

Lewis Hamilton believes his first victory with Ferrari is now a tangible target after securing his maiden podium for the team at the Chinese Grand Prix. The seven-time champion finished third in Shanghai, marking his first top-three finish since joining the Scuderia and his first podium overall since last year's Las Vegas GP, providing a significant confidence boost for the team's ongoing development.

Why it matters:

For Hamilton and Ferrari, a podium was the crucial first step needed to validate their partnership and development direction after a challenging start. This result shifts the narrative from mere potential to proven progress, building momentum within the team and putting immediate pressure on their rivals. It demonstrates that Ferrari's early-season car concept can deliver results, making the ultimate goal of a win feel achievable rather than aspirational.

The details:

• Hamilton's podium broke a personal drought, marking his first top-three finish since the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix and his first ever with Ferrari.
• When asked if a win was now in sight, he stated, "I definitely feel that I could say that it’s more in sight than ever before. Last year it couldn’t have been further from view."
• He provided a clear technical assessment of the gap to the front, noting Mercedes still holds a significant race-pace advantage: "in the race trim I think they’ve got four or five tenths on us at the moment."
• Hamilton identified the key areas for improvement as downforce, efficiency, and power, calling it a "huge upgrade" they need to pursue.
• Separately, he rejected the narrative that new F1 technical rules have failed, arguing the turbulent air effect is less severe and has produced some of the best wheel-to-wheel racing he's experienced.

What's next:

The immediate challenge for Ferrari is to convert this podium momentum into a sustained performance leap. Hamilton's acknowledgment of a straight-line speed deficit to Mercedes highlights a clear development target. The team must now accelerate upgrades to close the four-to-five-tenths gap in race trim that Hamilton identified. His public faith in the team—"I really do believe in everyone back in Maranello"—sets the stage for an intensified development push, with the next races serving as a critical test of their ability to hunt for that elusive first win together.