F1 2026: Lewis Hamilton ends Ferrari wait, storms to Barcelona GP win

Lewis Hamilton finally celebrated his maiden victory as a Ferrari driver after emerging victorious in an action-packed Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona-Catalunya, while championship frontrunner Kimi Antonelli saw his race end in heartbreak just laps from the finish.

F1 2026: FULL COVERAGE

The race remained finely balanced until the closing stages, with Hamilton ending a lengthy wait for a Formula One win. It marked the seven-time world champion’s first triumph since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, which came during his final season with Mercedes.

A decisive moment arrived when a late virtual safety car reshaped the race. Ferrari’s strategy paid off perfectly, allowing Hamilton to make a pit stop without surrendering track position and maintain control at the front of the field.

Had the virtual safety car not been deployed, Hamilton’s aggressive three-stop approach would likely have left him chasing down the two Mercedes drivers in the final laps rather than leading comfortably. With both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli running a two-stop race, the battle for victory appeared set for a dramatic finish.

The VSC, however, changed the complexion of the race. Hamilton was able to make a pit stop with significantly less time loss, rejoining the track still at the head of the field before using his fresher tyres to build a decisive advantage over his rivals.

The result proved significant in the championship fight as well. Hamilton’s victory, coupled with Antonelli’s late retirement, reduced the gap to the championship leader to 41 points.

Russell also gained ground in the standings. His runner-up finish brought him closer to Antonelli, leaving the Briton 50 points adrift of the Italian in the title race.

Behind him, Antonelli had just climbed into second place after overtaking George Russell following an intense duel that lasted much of the afternoon. However, the young Mercedes driver’s charge came to an abrupt halt when a mechanical issue forced him to retire with only a handful of laps remaining.

Russell inherited second place after Antonelli’s retirement, while McLaren’s Lando Norris completed the podium in third.

The result also produced a rare all-British top three, the first time drivers from Britain occupied every podium position at a Formula One race since the 1968 United States Grand Prix. This was Hamilton’s first win in two years and at the age of 41, he became Formula One’s oldest winner since Australian Jack Brabham in 1970.

BARCELONA GP: RACE RESULT

1 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
2 George Russell (Mercedes) +19.5s
3 Lando Norris (McLaren) +23.7s
4 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +40.4s
5 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +58.6s
6 Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +1 lap
7 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1 lap
8 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +1 lap
9 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +1 lap
10 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +1 lap
11 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +2 laps
12 Carlos Sainz (Williams) +2 laps
13 Esteban Ocon (Haas) +2 laps
14 Sergio Perez (Cadillac) +3 laps
DNF Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
DNF Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
DNF Oliver Bearman (Haas)
DNF Alexander Albon (Williams)
DNF Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
DNF Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
DNF Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
DNF Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

HOW THE BARCELONA GP UNFOLDED

For much of the race, Mercedes appeared to have the upper hand. George Russell made the most of pole position to lead away from Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli, with the trio running in that order through the opening stages.

The strategic battle began to unfold when Hamilton, running on soft tyres, made an early stop on lap 11. Russell and Antonelli, who had started on mediums, stayed out longer but Mercedes eventually brought both drivers in to protect track position despite operating on a different race plan.

As Hamilton completed his second stop on lap 27, Antonelli closed rapidly on Russell and briefly challenged his teammate for the lead. Mercedes, however, urged both drivers to avoid losing time in their fight as Hamilton remained a threat through his alternate strategy.

The complexion of the race changed dramatically after Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin stopped on track on lap 40, triggering a virtual safety car. The neutralisation arrived at the perfect moment for Hamilton, who held enough of a cushion to make his final stop and rejoin still in front.

With a significant tyre advantage over the Mercedes pair, Hamilton seized control of the race from there. Barring any mechanical issues, the Ferrari driver was never seriously threatened and comfortably secured his 106th Formula One victory, while also delivering Ferrari’s first win since the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix.

There was added symbolism to the result. Ferrari’s previous victory in Spain came in 2013 through Alonso, whose retirement indirectly paved the way for Hamilton’s triumph. The post-race interviews were also conducted by Nico Rosberg, Hamilton’s former teammate and title rival, exactly a decade after their infamous first-lap collision at the same circuit.

Mercedes, meanwhile, experienced contrasting emotions. Russell looked on course for victory before the virtual safety car reshuffled the race. Even after losing the lead, he faced mounting pressure from Antonelli, who eventually overtook him for second with five laps remaining.

However, Antonelli’s charge ended abruptly moments later when a technical issue forced him to retire. His misfortune promoted McLaren’s Lando Norris to third place, while Max Verstappen finished fourth ahead of Oscar Piastri and Isack Hadjar.

‘NEVER GAVE UP HOPE’

An emotional Hamilton said that he never gave up hope on a win with Ferrari and thanked the team for helping him cross the line at Barcelona.

“First, I have to start and say a huge gracie you to everyone here, my team here, Ferrari, everyone back at the factory, Fred for believing in me and bringing me to this team.”

“I started out a dream last year which seemed almost impossible during my time last year, but we never gave up hope and the team just continued to lift me up. We made so many changes and we made so many improvements and on top of that, I’ve got the greatest fan base, a sportsman could ever ask for. And so, thank you, thank you to everybody,” said Hamilton.

The next race will be the Austrian Grand Prix on June 28.

– Ends