Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton believes he has returned to his best form after securing his first podium with Ferrari at the start of the 2026 season.
Hamilton finally stepped onto the podium for the Scuderia after 26 races with the Maranello-based team. The result came during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai, marking a strong turnaround following a difficult debut season with Ferrari in 2025.
The 41-year-old began the new campaign with improved results. He finished fourth in the season-opening race in Melbourne, just behind team-mate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton then secured two third-place finishes at the Shanghai International Circuit, taking podiums in both the sprint race and the grand prix.
Reflecting on his return to competitive form after the Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton explained that a combination of improved mental preparation, physical conditioning, and a better understanding of the Ferrari package had contributed to the strong start.
“I definitely feel like I’m back to my best, both mentally and physically,” said Lewis Hamilton when speaking to media including RacingNews365.
Despite the encouraging results, Hamilton believes there is still further performance to unlock throughout the season.
“I still think there’s room to improve,” he added.
The British driver revealed that his winter training programme was the most demanding of his career. At 41 years old, Hamilton explained that maintaining peak performance now requires an even greater focus on preparation and recovery.
“Training this winter has been the heaviest and the most intense that I’ve ever had. That probably comes with being older because it takes longer to recover,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton also highlighted a key personal decision he made during the off-season regarding his mental approach to the new campaign.
“I decided on Christmas Day how I was going to start this season mentally, and I’m going to continue to tweak that,” he explained.
Another important factor behind his improved performance has been the strengthening relationship with Ferrari’s engineering team. Hamilton is currently working with a new race engineer, Carlo Santi, who has temporarily taken on the role.
The driver noted that deeper involvement in the development direction of the car has helped him feel more integrated within the team.
“Toward the middle and end of last year I spent a lot of time digging deep with the engineers and talking about the things I wanted from a car that I didn’t have any part in developing previously,” Hamilton said.
According to Hamilton, Ferrari responded positively by incorporating several of his suggestions into the current car design.
“To see them listen and put some of those things I asked for on the car, I’m incredibly grateful. It makes you feel more united with everyone because you’re moving in the same direction,” he explained.
Hamilton also noted that he is still learning more about the behaviour of the Ferrari under the new Formula 1 regulations, particularly regarding energy deployment and race management strategies.
He believes there is still additional performance to extract from the car as he continues to adapt throughout the season.
Looking ahead, Hamilton expressed enthusiasm about returning to Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello to continue working closely with the team on further improvements.
“I’m looking forward to getting back next week to Maranello and seeing everybody. There’s going to be a big push,” he said.
Hamilton’s strong start to the 2026 campaign signals that the most successful driver in Formula 1 history may once again become a major contender as the season progresses, sending a clear message to his rivals that further progress could still come.
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