Shanghai, China – Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration with the straight-line speed deficit between his Ferrari and the dominant Mercedes team following the Chinese Grand Prix, stating the Silver Arrows appear to be “flying” past on the straights. While Ferrari showed promising pace at the Shanghai International Circuit, launching strong attacks on Mercedes early in the race, both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc ultimately finished well behind the leading Mercedes drivers, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
Hamilton finished 25 seconds behind Antonelli, with Leclerc 28 seconds back, highlighting the performance gap. The result underscores the challenge Ferrari faces in closing the gap to Mercedes, particularly in terms of raw power, as the 2026 Formula 1 season unfolds. The next race on the calendar is the Japanese Grand Prix in two weeks, followed by a break in April due to geopolitical considerations in the Middle East.
The Ferrari SF-26 demonstrated strong launch performance and the ability to bring its hard tires up to temperature quickly, allowing for two initial challenges against the Mercedes cars. Yet, once the tires reached optimal temperature, the Mercedes W17’s superior speed became apparent. According to Hamilton, the difference is particularly noticeable on the straights.
“Compared to Mercedes, we are lacking power,” Hamilton told Sky, as reported by multiple sources. “I think they started developing a bit earlier than us, but I think we have a good engine. Simply, in a straight line, they overtake us like they are flying, and You can’t do anything to stop them. In the corners, we are as fast as them.”
Hamilton’s comments come after a thrilling battle with teammate Charles Leclerc throughout the race, with the pair exchanging positions several times. The new 2026 regulations, designed to promote closer racing with overtake mode and reduced dirty air, allowed for extended wheel-to-wheel combat. Leclerc acknowledged Hamilton’s stronger performance throughout the weekend, conceding that the seven-time World Champion deserved the podium finish.
“I actually really enjoyed the race,” Leclerc said. “Of course, a little bit disappointed to lose out on the podium but on the other side I’m happy for Lewis and I think he deserves it more than I do on a weekend like this where he’s been more on top of things than me. He’s just been stronger since FP1 to now, but it was a remarkably nice race. I enjoyed the fight.”
The gap to Mercedes is a significant concern for Ferrari, as it indicates a substantial advantage for the German team. Hamilton emphasized that Ferrari’s focus will be on improving the engine’s power and efficiency to close the gap. “We will work on the engine and the efficiency to try to catch up and beat them,” he stated.
Telemetry data suggests the Ferrari’s smaller turbocharger provides strong launch performance, allowing for quicker acceleration and earlier engagement of the electric motor boost. However, this advantage is not enough to overcome the Mercedes’ superior top speed. Hamilton upshifts to second gear and reaches 50 km/h sooner than the Mercedes drivers, but the W17 ultimately pulls away on the straights.
The Chinese Grand Prix marked Hamilton’s first podium finish since joining Ferrari, a milestone he described as “one of the most enjoyable races I’ve had.” Despite the positive result, the performance gap to Mercedes highlights the work that remains for the Italian team. Ferrari is planning to bring significant upgrades to the Miami Grand Prix, hoping to further enhance the car’s performance and challenge Mercedes for the championship lead.
Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 World Champion, offered a critical assessment of the race, claiming that the battle between Hamilton and Leclerc ultimately “destroyed Ferrari’s race.” While the wheel-to-wheel action was entertaining for fans, Villeneuve believes it allowed Mercedes to extend their lead unchallenged.
The next few races will be crucial for Ferrari as they attempt to close the gap to Mercedes. The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka will provide another opportunity to assess the car’s performance and gather data for further development. The team will be looking to capitalize on the upgrades planned for Miami to mount a stronger challenge to the dominant Mercedes team.
What’s Next: The Formula 1 season continues with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka International Racing Course from April 19-21. The race is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM JST (7:00 AM GMT, 3:00 AM EDT).
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