Lewis Hamilton has stood on more podiums than any driver in Formula One history, yet the one he climbed in Shanghai last weekend carried a special weight as he finished on the rostrum for the first time as a Ferrari driver.
It was his first podium in Ferrari red — a moment that symbolised not just competitive progress, but a deeper personal resurgence after a challenging transition year and an intense winter of self‑reconstruction.
Hamilton’s reflections after the race revealed just how much this result meant to him. Far from being just another top‑three finish, the Shanghai podium represented validation, renewal, and a sense of unity with his new team that he has been working tirelessly to build.
“I think I came into the season with the confidence that I’ve used to have, and I think I’ve stuck at it,” he said when asked what the podium meant to him.
The weekend’s atmosphere amplified that feeling. “This is the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen here in Shanghai. When we were doing the drivers’ parade, we went up to Turn 11, 12, and that grandstand has been closed for, I think, almost 20 years, and it was amazing. I was so shocked to see it completely full.”
Hamilton made a point of thanking the fans who lifted him throughout the weekend. “I really have to say a huge thank you to everyone in Shanghai that came out to support our sport. And then Team LH China are unbelievable. They’re just the sweetest and most incredible supporters. My mum got to see it this weekend, which I think was really cool for her to witness the sincerity and the amazing support. So, they lift me up.”
That emotional boost mattered, because the road back to the podium has been far from easy. “I’ve been pushing for a podium. It’s the hardest thing just to get a podium compared to a lot through my career and it was the biggest challenge to get that, and I just had to bide my time,” he admitted.
“I think coming into the season I really cultivated that really positive mental attitude and I’m taking that forward with me,” Hamilton continued.
When asked whether this result signalled a return to his peak form, Hamilton was unequivocal. “I definitely feel like I’m back to my best, both mentally and physically, yes. I still think there’s room to improve.”
He explained that his winter preparation was the most demanding of his career: “Training this winter has been the heaviest and the most intense that I’ve ever had, and that probably comes hand in hand with being older. It takes longer to recover. But I’ve managed to pull these new tools together.”
A key part of that resurgence has been the environment he has found at Ferrari. “I’ve got a great trainer that I’ve been working with in the past, but we worked together since Christmas Day. Then the time at the factory, obviously new engineer, and that’s obviously been a real good boost as well. Great morale within the team.”
Hamilton revealed that his mental reset began long before the season started. “I just decided on Christmas Day how I was going to start this season. I decided what I was going to do mentally and I’m going to continue to tweak that.
“I do think there’s more to come. I think I can still eke out more performance from this car. I’m still learning about it as I go, particularly with deployment and that.”
He also highlighted how meaningful it has been to contribute directly to Ferrari’s development direction. “Mid to end of last year, digging deep with the engineers and talking to them about the things that I wanted from a car that I didn’t have any part of developing last year, to then develop the car with them this year and to see them listen and put some of those things that I’d asked for on the car, I’m incredibly grateful to them for listening on that side of things.
“It just makes you feel more united with everyone because you’re moving in the same direction,” the seven-time world champion continued.
That sense of unity is something Hamilton has long valued — and something he believes will only grow stronger. “I’m looking forward to getting back next week to Maranello and seeing everybody. Yeah, big, big push.”
