From the back to P3 and P4: Ferrari’s Incredible Malaysian Comeback
Hamilton: From P18 to the Podium
Ferrari’s Malaysian Grand Prix looked like a disaster at the start. Lewis Hamilton began in P18, while Charles Leclerc started all the way down in P22. With wet conditions and Ferrari choosing slick tyres, both drivers immediately struggled.
But as the track dried, Ferrari’s gamble started to make sense.
Hamilton’s recovery was one of the biggest stories of the race. He managed his tyres, made crucial overtakes and slowly climbed through the field. By the final stages, the driver who had started P18 was suddenly fighting for a podium.
Hamilton eventually finished third — an incredible turnaround from the opening laps.
Leclerc’s Even Bigger Recovery
Charles Leclerc had an even harder race.
Starting P22, he also suffered contact with Nico Hülkenberg, front-wing damage and a puncture. It looked almost impossible for him to recover, but Leclerc kept fighting.
As the conditions improved, he began climbing through the field, turning a last-place start into a fight for the top four.
He eventually crossed the finish line in P4.
33 Positions Gained
Together, Hamilton and Leclerc gained an incredible 33 positions.
Hamilton: P18 → P3Leclerc: P22 → P4
What began as a risky strategy that seemed ready to ruin Ferrari’s weekend became one of the team’s most impressive recovery drives.
The Malaysian Grand Prix was a reminder that in Formula 1, the race is never truly over until the chequered flag falls.
Written by Gülendam Gürkan
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