Antonelli and Hamilton’s shared firsts hint at bright futures

There was something apt about the podium at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday. Three drivers who had stood on them a combined 234 times, and yet there was a first for each of the three.

While George Russell wasn’t standing on the top step for the first time this year (granted from a small sample set), Kimi Antonelli was, and next to him was the driver who vacated the seat alongside Russell a year earlier: Lewis Hamilton.

RACE REPORT: Antonelli claims first grand prix win in China

It was a popular trio in Shanghai, in no small part due to Russell’s viral fame in China that meant he enjoyed huge support throughout his visit. But for Antonelli, the infectious positivity and love for motorsport that he has arrived in F1 with has made him many fans already, as has his almost constant attacking driving style.

And Hamilton is a superstar wherever he goes, a standing that has not been diminished by the struggles of his Ferrari tenure so far.

For the former Mercedes teammates to be flanking Antonelli on the podium only elevated what was already a life changing achievement for the Italian.

“It’s incredible to be sharing the podium with George and Lewis because George came through the junior academy like me and he’s part of the family,” Antonelli said. “Lewis has made history with Mercedes and obviously it’s great for Mercedes. I think it was a very special moment for all of us.”

Russell might have had to play second fiddle in the Mercedes storyline on Sunday, but he too felt the podium carried that little bit more weight given who he was alongside.

The poignant podium celebration featured Hamilton alongside his long-time race engineer, his former teammate, and the driver that replaced him at Mercedes. Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

“If we could probably all choose who we’d share the podium with, probably with each other to be honest,” Russell said. “Obviously, I had the pleasure of being teammates with Lewis for those years and learned so much, and then obviously being teammates with Kimi for the past year and a bit and seeing his growth.

“He’s such a talented driver and he’s going to be giving me a hard time this year, no doubt. So that was really special and it was nice just to be with each other up there.”

For Antonelli, the actual result felt inevitable, Not just in the way highlighted on Saturday, but also in the way he handled the situation once the lights went out. Unflustered by Hamilton sweeping past into the lead, he retained second place and utilized his car’s performance advantage in clinical style to work his way back into the lead and then break away.

Hamilton, by contrast, was engaged in a thrilling fight with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc for much of the race, before his own first was achieved as he finally stood on a grand prix podium in Ferrari red.

There was never a sense that Hamilton was downplaying that achievement, but he has higher aims at Ferrari. So it was the fact that he stood with the two Mercedes drivers and the race engineer with whom he became synonymous – Peter Bonnington – that became just as significant.

“Obviously to have been such a part of Mercedes through my career — they supported me from almost day one, 1997, I was 13 — so to then go through that journey with them and have the success with them, and obviously George and I had some difficult years in that past era, so it’s really special to see them back at the front because it’s a phenomenal team,” Hamilton said. “And I know we’ve got our work cut out to beat them because when they’re on form like this it’s not easy to beat.

“To see George come through the sport and then get to Formula 1, and now see Kimi come through and to be able to be here with them, especially as Kimi took my seat. And then Bono, I’ve worked with for so long, so it’s like sitting here with my whole family. So that’s great.”

Antonelli looked more experienced than his years suggest in his battles with the Ferraris in Shanghai. Lintao Zhang/LAT Images

Antonelli couldn’t resist a joke at Hamilton’s age when the seven-time world champion reminisced about how special his own first victory was – “I was one year old, by the way,” came the quip – in a sign of just how comfortable the Italian feels in such company. As much as he idolizes Hamilton and is a student of the sport, he knows he has all of the ability required to compete with anyone.

To that end, the victory was just the next step in Antonelli’s development, and the first of many that are on the cards. For Hamilton, the Ferrari podium was never really in question, but it was far more surprising how long he had to wait after joining the team in 2025.

“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 had hoped,” Hamilton admitted. “After a difficult year last year, to be able to be a part of developing with them, working with them over the past year, gives me huge pride and it’s such a privilege to be a part of this brand.

“They provided us a really solid car. We’ve got a great package, particularly through corners, just got to step it up to be able to keep up with them on the straights. But it’s a very special day, and especially as it’s Mother’s Day [in the UK]. My mum’s here, and it’s been an awesome week.”

There’s been a spring in Hamilton’s step ever since he jumped in the 2026 car, as F1 moved away from ground effect regulations that he did not gel with as well as he’d have liked. But there was a spring in his step when he won the Sprint in China a year ago, too, and we all now know how last season turned out.

Hamilton admits there were times that a victory for Ferrari felt further away than ever, but now that it’s as close as it has ever been. The winter reset has done him the world of good, while Ferrari has also provided a platform that appears capable of competing near the front regularly.

Even at this stage of his career, the signs are positive for Hamilton that better times are ahead. Yet, perhaps ironically, the biggest obstacle between himself and victories or a title challenge are the two young talents who are currently enjoying the fruits of his former team’s labors.