- Lewis Hamilton earned his maiden Ferrari F1 victory in Barcelona, while Kimi Antonelli failed to finish the race.
- The Briton crossed the line ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris, while Antonelli was unable to see the chequered flag.
- Hamilton’s victory, combined with Antonelli’s retirement, reduced the 41-year-old’s deficit in the Drivers’ Championship to 41 points.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton secured a memorable maiden Grand Prix victory for Ferrari in Barcelona, snapping Mercedes’ 2026 winning streak by beating George Russell and Lando Norris, while World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli failed to finish the race.
Although Ferrari’s decision to start the Brit on soft tyres did little to help him seize the lead on the opening lap, the team’s bold three-stop strategy proved inspired.
Hamilton benefitted from a free pit stop under a Virtual Safety Car, and from there, the race swung firmly in his favour.
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Lewis Hamilton earns maiden Ferrari F1 win in Barcelona
He produced a string of exceptional laps to steadily extend his advantage over the Silver Arrows and claim his first victory in nearly two years, while simultaneously reducing Antonelli’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship.
“Thank you so much. You’ve helped me achieve this dream, and I can’t thank you enough. Thank you to everyone pushing so hard back at home, I’m so proud of you. To my family, I love you, and to the fans, thank you for reminding me who I am,” the emotional 41-year-old said in a radio message to his engineer after the win.
It was a dramatic conclusion to a captivating race that was filled with tension and uncertainty from start to finish, as Hamilton secured his first victory since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, back when he was still racing for Mercedes.
Asked where this triumph ranks among his 106 career Grand Prix victories, Hamilton admitted that while every win is unique, this one carries a special significance.
“They’re all special in their own way, but this one is something else. When I was young, I watched Ferrari enjoy all their success on TV. I always wondered what it would feel like.”
Russell was forced to settle for P2, while Norris claimed P3 for McLaren, marking the first all-British podium since 1968.
It was far from a straightforward afternoon for the Mercedes driver, who was overtaken by his team-mate late in the race before Antonelli’s unfortunate retirement on Lap 62 of 66.
Red Bull finished fourth and sixth, with Max Verstappen once again getting the better of Isack Hadjar, while Oscar Piastri secured P5 to deliver a valuable points haul for the reigning Constructors’ Champions.
Hamilton’s victory, combined with Antonelli’s retirement, cut the seven-time champion’s deficit in the Drivers’ Championship to 41 points. Russell also gained ground on Antonelli and now trails the Italian by 50 points.
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix – Top 10 Results and Current standings
- 1 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 156pts
- 2 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 115
- 3 George Russell (Mercedes) 106
- 4 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 75
- 5 Lando Norris (McLaren) 73
- 6 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 68
- 7 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 55
- 8 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 41
- 9 Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) 34
- 10 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) 26
Constructors’ Championship – Top 4
- Mercedes – 262 pts
- Ferrari – 190 pts
- McLaren – 141 pts
- Red Bull – 89 pts
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