Hamilton feels closer to winning again after ending podium drought

SHANGHAI, March 15 : Lewis Hamilton said his first win for Ferrari was looking closer after the seven-times Formula One world champion ended a long wait for a podium with the Italian team at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday.

The most successful driver of all time finished third behind his former team Mercedes in what the 41-year-old said had been possibly his most enjoyable race.

It was his first podium since 2024, when he was at Mercedes.

"I definitely feel like I’m back to my best, both mentally and physically," he said. "I still think there’s room to improve."

Hamilton joined the Italian team in January last year but endured a season without a grand prix podium for the first time in his career.

"I definitely feel that I could say that it’s more in sight than ever before," he said of the chances of a first win since his move to Maranello.

"Last year it couldn’t have been further from view.

"I really do believe in everyone back in Maranello and that it’s not an impossible feat to overcome. So yeah, forza Ferrari, we’ve just got to keep pushing."

ANTONELLI TAKES HIS FIRST WIN

The race was won by Italian Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old who took Hamilton's seat last year savouring a first win, with former teammate George Russell second on a podium that offered a snapshot of Mercedes's past, present and future.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said the podium, with Hamilton's former race engineer and Antonelli's current engineer Peter Bonnington joining the trio to collect the winning constructors' trophy, was one of the best moments of his life and he felt overwhelmed.

Hamilton congratulated Antonelli and the team with which he won six of his seven titles.

"I had so much fun and we had a great start. I wasn't able to keep these guys