Lewis Hamilton explains why first Ferrari podium was one of the toughest of his career

Lewis Hamilton opened up on his first podium finish with Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix, claiming he "never had to work so hard to get a podium".

While the seven-time champion secured the Chinese sprint race win with Ferrari in 2025, he failed to reach the podium at a grand prix. Now, after coming back from a rejuvenating winter break and gelling with the new era of regulations, Hamilton ticked off the podium milestone and sits fourth in the drivers' standings.

"Yeah, I mean, obviously, I had the sprint race last year, which was amazing, and my dad was there," Hamilton told F1 of his first podium finish with Ferrari.

"Then to bring my mum to China and then have this amazing week with her and then have my first podium, it made it incredibly special. 

"The whole experience, and I've been trying to get that podium for a long time - it felt like I had never had to work so hard to get a podium. I was very, very grateful. And it felt like the first, even though I've been fortunate to have had quite a few.

"And it felt even more special to be in red, but also to be up there with Bono and Kimi with his first win, and George, so it was very nostalgic."

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

Detailing what the mood was like with his close team following the milestone moment, he added, "Honestly, it was huge. The team have been amazing for the past year, particularly in the garage. The support has been immense.

"So, every weekend I fell short last year, and I'd come back, and you feel gutted, and you feel bad that you've ultimately not been able to deliver for the team. But they're always like, 'Next time, next time.'

"And they're always so positive and supportive. So to finally have the podium and come back and see how happy and how grateful they were to be a part of it, and for us to have that result, really warmed my heart.

"So that just encourages me to continue to push even harder and continue to dig deep and continue to build with the team."