- Lewis Hamilton secures third on the grid in Shanghai for his best Ferrari start.
- The 7-time champion overcame tricky wind conditions to challenge Mercedes.
- Ferrari’s improved straight-line speed offers Hamilton a chance of a podium.
At the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, Lewis Hamilton will start Sunday’s race from third on the grid after a strong qualifying session at the Shanghai International Circuit.
The Ferrari driver finished just behind the two Mercedes cars of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. The result matches Hamilton’s best starting position since joining Ferrari. It also gives the seven-time world champion his best chance yet to secure a first podium with the Italian team.
Hamilton achieved the result despite difficult wind conditions that disrupted several laps. Gusts across the track forced him to catch the car more than once during qualifying.
Still, he stayed close to the Mercedes pace. The performance suggests Ferrari may be closing the gap to the early-season leaders.
Speaking during post-qualifying interviews, the Briton said the session tested every driver on the grid. He told the media that the wind made it hard to piece together a clean lap. Hamilton said he felt pleased to end the session near the front and alongside strong rivals.
A tough qualifying, but a strong outcome
Hamilton described qualifying as one of the more difficult sessions of the season so far. Wind swept across the circuit and unsettled the car through several corners. He battled oversteer during parts of the session but still secured third place.
“It was actually a really tough qualifying,” Hamilton said via RacingNews365. “A bit harder this one, with the wind, it’s so gusty today, so putting the lap together was challenging. Charles put in great laps; these guys put in great laps. So I’m really happy to be up here, and grateful to be up here with these guys.”
Hamilton also praised Ferrari’s progress since the opening round in Australia. Engineers spent the break improving the car, and the changes helped close the performance gap to Mercedes. “They’ve been rapid so far this season, but we did some good work,” he said. “The engineers did some great work over the break. We managed to get a little bit closer to these guys. So that’s a real positive.”
Ferrari also holds an advantage in straight-line speed at the start of races this season. The team’s strong turbo efficiency could help Lewis Hamilton attack when the lights go out. From third on the grid, he will have a clear chance to challenge into the first corner.
Hamilton’s goal: break the gap to Mercedes
Hamilton said his aim for Sunday’s race is simple. He wants to break the hold Mercedes currently have at the front of the field. The Sprint Race earlier in the weekend gave him confidence that he can fight them directly.
“It’s still gonna be a challenge, but I’m sure we’ll have some fun,” Hamilton said. “We learned a lot in the sprint race. Our goal is to try and break the gap between these guys somehow.”
The Sprint race offered a clear preview of that fight. Hamilton started third but quickly moved to second after a strong launch that passed Lando Norris at the first corner. A few corners later, he dived past Russell at Turn 9 to take the lead.
The two drivers then traded positions in an intense early battle. Hamilton pushed hard but damaged his left-front tyre during the fight. That problem allowed his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and Norris to move ahead.
Hamilton later recovered to finish third after a safety car period and a pit stop. Even so, he admitted the early tyre damage cost him a real shot at victory. “I killed my left tyre, so I wasn’t able to hold on to the position,” he said.
A driver reborn under new regulations
The opening rounds of the 2026 season suggest Hamilton has adapted well to the new power unit regulations. He played a key role in developing the current Ferrari car. That involvement has helped him feel more comfortable behind the wheel.
“I don’t know, it’s just a much better car that we designed and that I have been a part of developing,” Hamilton said. “So I’m definitely a lot happier in it.”
That confidence shows during races and interviews. His radio messages have sounded calm and positive. His racecraft during the Sprint battle with Russell also showed sharp form.
Hamilton still waits for his first podium since joining Ferrari. Sunday’s race in Shanghai may offer his best chance yet. Starting third, with strong pace off the line and a car that looks more competitive each weekend, Hamilton believes he can challenge the Mercedes pair when the race begins.
