F1 LIVE | Hamilton eyes first Ferrari victory, Verstappen scolded over F1 2026 criticism
Photo: Race Pictures
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
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Hamilton says victory 'more in sight than ever before' after first Ferrari podium
Lewis Hamilton finally managed to break his Ferrari curse during the Shanghai weekend, by securing his first podium with the Maranello-based team. Now though, the seven time world champion sets his sights on his first Grand Prix victory in Ferrari red.
After the Chinese GP, Hamilton said: "I definitely feel that I could say that it’s more in sight than ever before.
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"Last year it couldn’t have been further from view, but I think as you’ve seen, these guys (Mercedes) in qualifying - somehow we were a little bit closer in qualifying yesterday - but in the race trim I think they’ve got four or five tenths on us at the moment.
Photo: Race Pictures
Max Verstappen scolded for 2026 F1 criticism
Hamilton has been one of several drivers and pundits to share opposing views to Max Verstappen's disdain for the 2026 F1 rules.
Capping off a poor race weekend in Shanghai, mostly battling traditional midfield competitors, Verstappen retired on Lap 45 of the Chinese GP with an ERS failure, before launching another scathing criticism of F1's new 'Mario Kart' rules.
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While Hamilton said 2026 has already seen "the best racing that I’ve ever experienced in Formula 1," others have honed in more harshly on Verstappen's criticism.
Speaking to Sky Deutschland, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher said Verstappen should "stop whining," while former Haas boss Guenther Steiner accused the Dutchman of "throwing the toys out of the pram."
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
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