Lewis Hamilton Excited By 'Differences Between Ferrari And Mercedes' After Chinese GP Sprint Podium

Last Updated:March 14, 2026, 13:54 IST

Hamilton, however, opted to look at the positives from the sprint and sought to make some adjustments as the drivers and teams get into the groove of the new regulations.

Lewis Hamilton managed to find a place on the podium at the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint on Saturday as he finished behind George Russell of Mercedes and teammate Charles Leclerc.

The first 100km dash of Formula One’s new era witnessed the lead change hands multiple times before the Merc racer edged out both the Ferraris to the finish line.

Hamilton, however, opted to look at the positives from the sprint and sought to make some adjustments as the drivers and teams get into the groove of the new regulations.

“I had so much fun! I mean these cars are a lot of fun to drive."

“The fact that there are the differences between us and Mercedes, make it challenging in the race, we’re able to be a little bit closer, which is fun."

“Obviously, not the result I wanted in the end but a lot learned. Gonna go and see if we make some changes."

A safety car on lap 13 of the 19-lap race caused the entire field to pit for fresh tyres, with Russell maintaining his lead upon rejoining the track.

Kimi Antonelli, driving the second Mercedes, had been third, but a 10-second penalty for an earlier collision saw him drop to seventh before he eventually finished fifth.

World champion Lando Norris placed fourth in his McLaren, followed by his teammate Oscar Piastri in sixth.

Liam Lawson, in his RB, and Oliver Bearman, in the Haas, completed the points scorers, finishing seventh and eighth.

Hamilton’s Ferrari had a spectacular start, moving from fourth to second and exchanging the lead with Russell twice on the opening lap.

Hamilton took the lead early in the second lap as Leclerc pressured Russell. Antonelli had a disastrous start, dropping from the front row alongside pole-sitter Russell to seventh.

A fierce battle ensued between Russell and Hamilton, with multiple lead changes in the first five laps, while Leclerc remained close in third.

Russell eventually pulled away, leaving the Ferrari duo to contest for second place. Hamilton’s tyres suffered from early skirmishes, allowing Leclerc to overtake him late on lap nine. Norris and Piastri settled into fourth and fifth but were distanced from the top three.

Antonelli started recovering from his poor start but was penalised 10 seconds for a lap one collision. By lap 11, he had overtaken Hamilton before the safety car and his subsequent penalty.

News sports formula-one Lewis Hamilton Excited By 'Differences Between Ferrari And Mercedes' After Chinese GP Sprint Podium

Read More