Hamilton achieves podium finish in Shanghai
Lewis Hamilton secured his first Formula One podium finish since joining Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, collecting 15 points for the Scuderia, with Charles Leclerc completing the top four, reports BritPanorama.
Kimi Antonelli claimed victory, becoming the first Italian driver to win a race in nearly 20 years. The young Mercedes driver crossed the finish line at the Shanghai International Circuit with a commanding lead of over seven seconds ahead of teammate George Russell.
Upon crossing the line, Antonelli exclaimed “YEEEEEES. We did it, we did it!” over team radio. His race engineer, Pete Bonnington, responded: “That’s one you’re going to remember forever.” The race was marked by chaos from the opening moments, with Hamilton seizing the lead at turn one before Antonelli reclaimed first position by the start of lap two. Both McLaren cars failed to make the start due to separate electrical issues, leaving Oscar Piastri still awaiting his first race start of the 2026 season.
A safety car period was triggered on lap eleven when Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin stopped on track, believed to be caused by a battery failure. Max Verstappen endured a difficult afternoon, dropping six places on the opening lap before eventually retiring with what appeared to be an electronics problem on lap 47. In total, seven drivers failed to finish, including Fernando Alonso, who withdrew due to discomfort from vibrations.
The battle between Ferrari teammates provided much of the race’s entertainment, with Hamilton and Leclerc exchanging positions on multiple occasions throughout the 56-lap contest. The pair came close to contact on several instances, engaging in wheel-to-wheel racing as both drivers deployed their overtake boost buttons at different points. Hamilton complained repeatedly about power issues, stating, “I have no power. Give me something. I can’t run the last corner with no power.” Despite these concerns, he managed to repel Leclerc’s advances in the closing stages.
Russell capitalised on the Ferrari infighting to move into second place, allowing Antonelli to build an unassailable advantage at the front. Hamilton’s mother, Carmen, was present in the Ferrari garage to witness her son’s historic podium finish, coinciding with Mother’s Day. The seven-time champion had not stood on the podium in Ferrari red since his move to the Italian team ahead of the current campaign.
The atmosphere in the Mercedes garage was tense but jubilant, with Antonelli’s father, Marco, seen pacing nervously as his son navigated the final laps towards victory. A heart-stopping moment occurred with three laps remaining when the young Italian locked up and ran off circuit, reducing his advantage from over nine seconds to just over seven. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff appeared delighted as his team secured a dominant one-two finish, demonstrating superior pace throughout the weekend in Shanghai.
As motorsport enthusiasts recall the significance of Italian talent’s revival, the day’s results also illustrate how unpredictability shapes even the most anticipated races. Just as heroes forge their destinies on the track, the unfolding narratives continue to surprise and engage with each passing season.
