The Ferrari duo were competitive against the two Mercedes cars in front, which was a positive sign for what lies ahead. Hamilton’s fourth-place finish, having started the race in seventh, was a feat he only managed on four occasions last year. The 2025 campaign was a miserable debut season for the seven-time world champion. Despite securing his first victory in the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race, the Brit’s Grand Prix finishes failed to match that accomplishment and he grew increasingly agitated as the year went on.

Along with outbursts directed at his race engineer on the team radio, Hamilton repeatedly complained about the SF-25 and carried an air of negativity, branding himself as “useless” and suggesting that Ferrari should replace him. The 41-year-old’s behaviour was criticised by the passionate Italian media, including news outlet Corriere della Sera.

But the same publication followed Sunday’s race with a headline which read: “Hamilton is back, he got the Ferrari he wanted.” They claimed the early signs indicate Hamilton finally has a Ferrari capable of contending for the title. They even went as far as to backtrack on their words, having said Hamilton “is a champion who can’t behave like a champion” last year and that the “honeymoon is already over” post-Brazil Grand Prix.

The recently published article in question read: “We know everything about Leclerc: when he needs to be taken out, he’s always ready. But the most surprising development in this first viewing was Hamilton.

“We criticised him, we thought he was ready for retirement, and now it’s time to start making amends while he’s started acting like a champion again. Eventually, it seems Hamilton has got it [a car capable of challenging for the championship] and magically, the old fox has regained his shine.”

But the outlet went on to highlight a potential problem for Ferrari if a new title-worthy car leads to both Hamilton and Leclerc fighting for the drivers’ championship this year. It claimed the pair’s relationship could sour if they become direct rivals, starting with this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

The publication said: “To the point of wanting to get some revenge on Leclerc himself, perhaps in China, where he won the Sprint in 2025. A potentially problematic issue to manage; a major problem if Ferrari wins.”

It suggests Fred Vasseur may need to manage any potential tensions well to avoid a situation remeniscent of Hamilton’s bitter falling out with Nico Rosberg, despite the two Ferrari drivers having been very friendly until now.