Lewis Hamilton declares first Ferrari victory ‘couldn’t be closer’
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton believes his first grand prix victory for Ferrari is imminent after securing consecutive second-place finishes to move up to second in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship.
The 41-year-old endured a difficult debut campaign with the Scuderia in 2025 but has experienced a remarkable resurgence this season.
Following a maiden podium in red in China, the British driver has claimed back-to-back runner-up spots in Canada and Monaco.
These impressive results leave the Formula 1 veteran trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 66 points.
“I mean, it couldn’t be closer,” he admitted following the Monaco Grand Prix.
“But it’s still 66 points. I can’t believe that I’m second in the championship and I’m really happy and thankful for that.”
Praise for Mercedes successor Antonelli
Antonelli replaced the sport’s most successful driver at Mercedes last year and has dominated the early stages of the current campaign.
The 19-year-old Italian has secured victory in the last five consecutive races for the Silver Arrows.
He is currently thriving under the guidance of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and former race engineer Peter Bonnington.
“He is doing a phenomenal job,” stated Hamilton.
“He’s got an amazing team around him with Bono, with Toto and the whole team. And I’m really happy to see them doing what they do best.”
Chasing down the championship leader
Despite the significant points deficit, the record-breaking centurion remains highly motivated by his younger rival.
“It just encourages me to want to level up, and I think encourages everybody wanting to level up,” he explained.
“I’m going to do my best to try and chase him down for the rest of the year.”
The former McLaren star likened Antonelli’s meteoric rise to his own breakout rookie season in 2007.
“It’s a real privilege to witness it, be on the podium with two of the youngest guys here,” he added.
