'Like sitting here with my whole family' – Hamilton overjoyed to share China podium with Antonelli, Bonnington and Russell

Lewis Hamilton has described sharing his first Ferrari podium with Mercedes as "like sitting here with my whole family", with the seven-time World Champion joined by Kimi Antonelli, George Russell and former Race Engineer Pete Bonnington on the rostrum.

Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix proved to be special in more ways than one for Hamilton, as he finally secured his first podium for the Scuderia after leaving the Silver Arrows for Ferrari in a blockbuster move ahead of the 2025 season.

But what made the moment more emotional was the presence of former team mate Russell, 19-year-old Antonelli – who took his maiden F1 win in China and had replaced Hamilton at Mercedes – as well as Bonnington (often known as 'Bono'), the Race Engineer who had worked alongside the Briton for so long at the Brackley-based outfit.

Speaking after the race on Sunday, Hamilton was quick to congratulate Antonelli on becoming F1's second-youngest race winner in history, although their respective age gap of 22 years left the Briton more than a little bemused.

“I’ve already said it, but a huge congratulations to this one here [Antonelli] because it was amazing yesterday to be up here with him whilst he got his first pole, and now to get the first win... It’s truly special getting your first Grand Prix win, I remember getting my first,” Hamilton said, with his own maiden win taken at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix.

“I was one year old, by the way,” Antonelli retorted, sitting next to the Briton in the post-race press conference.

“Ha! You were born in 2006, right?" Hamilton responded. "That’s ridiculous! So, it’s amazing to see that. After so many years and then seeing him come through and seeing talented young people who truly deserve it get to the top, it’s really awesome.”

The two drivers had shared a touching moment after the race, with Hamilton quick to hug and congratulate his Mercedes rival, but what made the entire experience more special was the presence of the seven-time World Champion's former Race Engineer on the podium.

Bonnington guided Hamilton to all his titles with Mercedes, and was the voice so many fans heard calling for ‘Hammertime’ over the years. Now he is the calm voice on the end of the radio for Antonelli, as the teenager navigates his way in the world of F1.

As a result, it was fitting that Mercedes chose their Head of Race Engineering to pick up the Constructors’ trophy in China alongside both his former and current drivers.

Hamilton added: “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.

“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.”

The other two podium sitters were in full agreement, with Antonelli calling it a “special moment.”

“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," he said. "Lewis has made history with Mercedes and obviously it’s great for Mercedes.

“If we could probably all choose who we’d share the podium with, probably with each other to be honest,” Russell added.

“Obviously, I had the pleasure of being team-mates with Lewis for those years and learned so much, and then obviously being team-mates 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.”