Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix: Hamilton returns to scene of his first and only Ferrari win
Seven-time world champion, who won the sprint in Shanghai last year, sounds optimistic after making a decent start last week in Melbourne
Ferrari have won nothing in Formula 1 since Lewis Hamilton’s Saturday sprint victory in Shanghai a year ago and this weekend’s return to China is a chance for both to close a circle.
Ferrari, who last won a grand prix in 2024, were Mercedes’ closest rivals in the Australian season-opener last weekend, with Charles Leclerc third and Hamilton fourth behind the one-two of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
“For me, the prevailing feeling is now we have a fight on our hands with Ferrari,” Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, said after Melbourne.
Mercedes will still be the team to beat, with Russell again the hot favourite, but after the worst season of his stellar career – without even a grand prix podium in 2025 – seven-time world champion Hamilton is sounding more optimistic ahead of round two.
Could a first Hamilton podium for Ferrari be on the cards?
The team have a loyal following in China, where the colour red symbolises happiness and good fortune, and Hamilton is also the most successful driver there with six wins from previous stints at McLaren and Mercedes.