Lewis Hamilton’s first podium with Ferrari arrived at the Chinese GP. Now, the seven-time Formula 1 champion believes his first victory with the Maranello team is closer than ever.
Read more F1: Norris sees McLaren out of the fight for podiums at the start of 2026
In Shanghai, the driver finally broke the curse by finishing the race in third place, behind only Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. This is his first podium since the 2024 Las Vegas GP.

Asked if a victory would be close after the result, the seven-time champion replied that “definitely, I feel I can say it’s more within our reach than ever. Last year, it seemed impossible, but I think, as you saw, those guys [Mercedes] in qualifying – somehow, we were a bit closer in yesterday’s qualifying – but in race pace, I think they have a four or five-tenths of a second advantage over us at the moment.”
Read more Gademan and Felbermayr win in F1 Academy in China
“It’s a big step to take, both in downforce and efficiency as well as in power. It’s a big upgrade we need to seek. But I really believe in everyone in Maranello and that it’s not an impossible feat to overcome. So, forza Ferrari, we just need to keep pushing,” he added.
Read more F1: Wolff on Antonelli: “As a youngster, he just needs to mature”