The 41-year-old finished third on Sunday

Lewis Hamilton has fired a warning to his Formula One rivals after declaring he is ‘back to his best’ following a gritty podium finish at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old Brit delivered a combative display in Shanghai to secure third place for Ferrari, holding off teammate Charles Leclerc in a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel that lasted much of the race.

While Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli stormed to a sensational maiden victory ahead of George Russell, Hamilton’s performance marked a major milestone in his Ferrari career.

It was his first podium since the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2024 and a clear signal that the seven-time world champion believes he is returning to peak form.

“I definitely feel like I’m back to my best, both mentally and physically,” Hamilton said after the race.

“I still think there’s room to improve. Training this winter has been the heaviest and most intense I’ve ever had. That probably comes with being older – it takes longer to recover.”

Hamilton admitted the battle for a podium finish felt harder than at any point in his illustrious career but insisted the challenge has only strengthened his determination.

Lewis Hamilton has fired a warning to his Formula One rivals after declaring he is ‘back to his best’ following a gritty podium finish at the Chinese Grand Prix

 | REUTERS

“It’s the hardest thing just to get a podium compared to earlier in my career,” he continued.

“It was a huge challenge and I had to bide my time.

“Coming into this season I really worked on having a positive mental attitude and I’m carrying that forward.”

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The result was particularly satisfying after Hamilton endured a miserable first campaign with Ferrari. His debut season with the Italian team proved far tougher than expected as the car struggled for pace and the Brit battled to adapt to a new environment.

A string of disappointing results and some of the poorest qualifying performances of his career led Hamilton to describe the campaign as a ‘nightmare’, with the veteran appearing increasingly frustrated by the end of the year.

However, a winter reset appears to have transformed both Hamilton and Ferrari.

The team has produced a far more competitive car, one that suits Hamilton’s driving style, while the Brit has rediscovered the aggression and confidence that defined his dominant years.

“I started this journey and this dream of moving to Ferrari to stand on the podium with them,” the veteran said.

“This moment has taken longer than I hoped. After such a difficult year it makes me really proud to be part of developing this car with the team.

Lewis Hamilton celebrates his first podium with Ferrari

 | REUTERS

“I think there is still more performance to find. I’m still learning about the car every time I drive it.”

Hamilton also weighed in on the heated debate surrounding Formula One’s new regulations, which have divided opinion among drivers, with Max Verstappen branding them ‘terrible’ after he was forced to retire from the race with an energy recovery system cooling issue.

“I think it’s the best racing I’ve ever experienced in Formula One,” he said.

“The cars are easier to follow and much better than in past years. You can get really close without losing so much downforce.

“Hopefully it was exciting to watch because it felt amazing in the car.

“It was like go-karting, going back and forth, with barely a piece of paper between us at times.”