Hamilton thanks Ferrari for his 2026 resurgence and first Scuderia podium

summary: After a winless 2025 debut with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton snapped his podium drought at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, hailing the Scuderia’s support and saying he feels ‘grateful’ and motivated for the rest of the season.

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Lewis Hamilton’s 2026 season with Ferrari is already shaping up as a redemption story. After a barren 2025 that left him off the podium for the first time in his career, the seven‑time champion snapped the streak with a third‑place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, crediting the Scuderia’s “amazing” support for his revival.

Why it matters:

• Hamilton’s podium restores a marketable star to Ferrari, boosting the brand and sponsor appeal.
• A competitive Ferrari reshapes the title fight, challenging Mercedes and Red Bull under the new aero rules.
• The comeback adds a fresh chapter to Hamilton’s legacy, proving his adaptability with a new team.

The details:

• Chinese GP (Shanghai) – P3, 15 pts; shared the podium with George Russell, rookie Kimi Antonelli and race engineer Peter Bonnington.
• Australia – P4, 12 pts; solid start.
• Japan – P6, 8 pts; consistent top‑six.
• Hamilton: “Never had to work this hard for a podium. The team’s support in the garage keeps me motivated.”
• He praised Ferrari’s behind‑the‑scenes focus on millisecond gains and morale during the five‑week break.

What’s next:

• Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races will test if Ferrari can convert early consistency into wins.
• Hamilton expects the break to let the team refine the car and chase more podiums as the season progresses.