Lewis Hamilton Sets New Records at 2026 Chinese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton made a remarkable comeback at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, finishing third and setting multiple records. This achievement marks his first podium since joining Ferrari and his 203rd overall, surpassing Michael Schumacher's record. Hamilton's performance highlights his unique ability to achieve podiums across different teams, making history in the process. Discover more about his record-breaking journey and the significance of this milestone in the world of Formula 1.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 17, 2026, 18:14 IST

Hamilton's Historic Podium Finish

After a year-long wait, Lewis Hamilton made a triumphant return to the podium at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, securing a third-place finish. This achievement marked the first time the 41-year-old driver reached the top three since he joined Ferrari at the beginning of the 2025 season. His last podium appearance was in 2024 when he finished second at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. With this latest result, Hamilton has now stood on the podium 203 times, setting a new record in Formula 1 history, far surpassing Michael Schumacher's 155 podium finishes.

A Day of Records in Shanghai

Lewis Hamilton Creates History

In Shanghai, the spotlight shone on both 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli and Hamilton, who are at opposite ends of the age spectrum. Hamilton's podium finish in China was his 10th, making him the first driver to achieve this milestone since the race's inception in 2004. No other driver has managed to finish in the top three more than six times at this venue.

F1 Drivers Most Podiums In Chinese GP History

Driver	Podiums In Chinese GP
Lewis Hamilton	10
Kimi Räikkönen	6
Sebastian Vettel	6
Fernando Alonso	5
Nico Rosberg	5

Hamilton's podium finish in Shanghai also marks the 10th different circuit where he has achieved a podium in 10 different years, a feat unmatched in the 76-year history of Formula 1. Only Michael Schumacher has finished in the top three at a single race 10 or more times, with five such instances.

Hamilton Breaks Ferrari's Longstanding Record

Lewis Hamilton Breaks Ferrari's 43-Year-Old F1 Record

Hamilton has made history as the first driver in Ferrari's long-standing history to take over 20 races before achieving his first podium with the team. This record-breaking achievement surpasses Didier Pironi's previous record of 44 years. The Italian team has been a part of Formula 1 since 1950, and Hamilton's journey to the podium has been unprecedented.

Most Races Before First Podium For Ferrari

Driver	Races	Year
Lewis Hamilton	26	2026
Didier Pironi	19	1982
Gilles Villeneuve	14	1978
Gerhard Berger	11	1993
Felipe Massa	5	2006

With his third-place finish in China, Hamilton has also reclaimed the record for the most races (14) without a podium for Ferrari. At 41 years and 67 days, he is now the sixth-oldest Ferrari driver to finish on the podium, and he is the first to do so after turning 40 in the 21st century. Since 2000, only Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso have achieved top-three finishes at an older age than Hamilton. Furthermore, he has become the first driver to secure podiums while racing for McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari.