Ferrari’s 2026 Chinese Grand Prix weekend delivered the strongest indication yet that the Scuderia is emerging as Mercedes’ closest challenger in Formula 1’s new era.
After a 2025 season in which Lewis Hamilton’s sprint win in Shanghai stood as his only highlight in red, the seven‑time world champion finally claimed his first Grand Prix podium for Ferrari — and the team underlined their progress with the fastest pit stop of the entire weekend.
The momentum began on Saturday, when Ferrari finished directly behind George Russell in the sprint race. Charles Leclerc and Hamilton crossed the line second and third, confirming that the SF‑26 had the pace to stay with the Silver Arrows over a short run.
Hamilton carried that confidence into Sunday’s Grand Prix, launching superbly to take the lead into Turn 1. Mercedes, however, still held the upper hand in race trim. Within two laps, Kimi Antonelli reclaimed the top spot, and Russell soon followed. A lap‑10 safety car brought the field back together and set up a strategic battle between the two teams.
When the pit window opened, both Mercedes drivers stopped before Hamilton. Ferrari seized the moment — and executed it with absolute precision. Hamilton’s switch to hard tyres was completed in 2.29 seconds, the quickest pit stop of the entire Shanghai weekend.
It was not just marginally faster than the competition; it was the standout performance in a tightly packed field. Racing Bulls were next best at 2.34 seconds, followed by Alpine’s 2.54 and Red Bull’s 2.58.
Further down the order, Alpine’s second stop came in at 2.82, with Haas and Racing Bulls both recording 2.86. Mercedes’ best effort — 2.87 seconds — left them a full second slower than Ferrari’s benchmark. Williams followed at 2.89, while Aston Martin rounded out the top ten with 2.99 seconds.
Ferrari’s execution earned them the DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award and demonstrated that, at least operationally, they are capable of matching or even outperforming Mercedes under pressure.
Even with Mercedes’ superior long‑run pace, Ferrari refused to let the race settle. Leclerc and Hamilton delivered one of the most exhilarating wheel‑to‑wheel duels in recent years, fighting cleanly and fiercely for position. Hamilton ultimately prevailed, securing his first podium in 26 races for Ferrari — the longest wait for a maiden podium by any driver in the team’s storied history.
The emotion was clear in Hamilton’s voice afterward: “I started this voyage and this dream of moving to Ferrari and being on the top step with them, and this podium has taken longer than I hoped. But it is a very special day. It was one of the most enjoyable races that I have had in a long time, if ever.”