Lewis Hamilton admitted finishing on the podium as a Ferrari driver had proved to be his "biggest challenge" after he finally ended the wait in the Chinese Grand Prix.
In his 26th race for F1's most-famous team after joining them at the start of last year, Hamilton achieved a record-extending 203rd podium finish of his career - but a first since the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2024, when he was still a Mercedes driver.
In Sunday's Shanghai race, Hamilton underlined Ferrari's new prowess at starts by surging into the lead from third on the grid. He was swiftly overtaken by Kimi Antonelli, who went on to take victory, and eventually George Russell too but won impressively out in a battle for third with team-mate Charles Leclerc after several close wheel-to-wheel duels.
"I've been pushing for a podium," said Hamilton, who had matched his hitherto-best Ferrari finish of fourth at last week's season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
"It's the hardest thing just to get a podium compared to a lot through my career and it was the biggest challenge to get that, and I just had to bide my time.
"I think coming into the season I really cultivated that really positive mental attitude and I'm taking that forward with me."
Hamilton's move to Ferrari united the sport's most successful driver with its most successful team but his debut year in red proved to be a struggle, with the Italian outfit also underwhelming with their car on track and finishing fourth in the standings.
But Ferrari have started F1's new era of rules strongly and proved to be Mercedes' closest challengers in the opening two rounds, with the 41-year-old Hamilton also appearing rejuvenated.
"I started this voyage and this dream of moving to Ferrari and being on the top step with them, and this podium has taken longer than I had hoped," said the seven-time world champion.
"After a difficult year last year, to be able to be a part of developing with them, working with them over the past year, gives me huge pride and it's such a privilege to be a part of this brand.
"They provided us a really solid car. As George [Russell] was saying, we've got a great package, particularly through corners, just got to step it up to be able to keep up with them on the straights.
"But yeah, it's a very special day, and especially as it's, I guess, Mother's Day. My mum's here, and yeah, it's been an awesome week."
With his career-worst 16-month podium drought now over, Hamilton was also asked in the post-race press conference whether he felt a first victory with Ferrari in a Grand Prix was close.
He replied: "I definitely feel that I could say that it's more in sight than ever before. Last year it couldn't have been further from view.
"But I think as you've seen, these [Mercedes] guys 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.
"That's a huge step to pick up, both in downforce and efficiency and also power. That's a huge upgrade that we need to push for. But I really do believe in everyone back in Maranello and that it's not an impossible feat to overcome. So yeah, forza Ferrari, we've just got to keep pushing."
For the second week running, Ferrari drivers spent the whole race in close proximity to each other and this time, like in Saturday's Sprint, they went engaged in close wheel-to-wheel combats and traded position several times.
Hamilton admits they "did touch" cars at one point but both drivers said they enjoyed the nail-biting battle.
"I had so much fun," said Hamilton.
"We had a great start. I wasn't able to keep these [Mercedes] guys behind, but to stay in the fight, it was one of the most enjoyable races that I've had in a long, long time, if ever.
"The fact that the cars are the way they are this year… that battle with Charles at the end was awesome. Great wheel-to-wheel battle, very fair, and just what we want. We've got to keep pushing.
"I think there was one moment we did touch but it was subtle, just a kiss, so it's ok. But that's what it's about, it's about tough racing."
Leclerc also said he "really enjoyed it", particularly once it became clear they were effectively fighting themselves over the final podium berth.
"It's not very often I have a smile after [finishing] P4," said Leclerc, who was third last week in Melbourne.
"Of course, there is one big negative after a race like this - and this is the gap to Mercedes. Lewis and I did the maximum. We obviously lost some time, so maybe the gap is a bit bigger than what we thought.
"Once they were gone, we decided we would fight at least for the podium. That didn't optimise our race time but didn't change our result. They are extremely strong at the moment.
"In Australia, we expected them to be so strong but they never showed that pace in the race. In the China Sprint, we expected it but they never showed it. They finally showed it on Sunday. It's a big gap. That's disappointing."
And while their drivers' duel may have caused the pit wall to have their hearts in their mouths at several moments during the 56 laps, team boss Frederic Vasseur said he was was happy to let them race it out.
"I trust them," Vasseur told Your Site F1.
"For sure it's always tricky because it's difficult to stop them and I don't want to ask them to freeze the positions because I think it would have been unfair.
"They are professional, they did very well and it's good for the team, good for F1 and I prefer to stay like this."
Formula 1 next heads to the iconic Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix on March 27-29 live on Your Site F1.
