Seven‑time world champion Lewis Hamilton claims his first win with the Italian manufacturer, ending almost a two‑year F1 title drought.
Published On 14 Jun 2026
Former Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton achieved his first race victory as a Ferrari driver, taking the win at the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix on Sunday.
The triumph represents Hamilton’s 31st race with Ferrari and marks a dramatic resurgence for the team. The 41‑year‑old currently sits in second place in the drivers’ standings, behind teenage contender Kimi Antonelli who was pursuing a record‑setting sixth consecutive win for Mercedes.
Hamilton finished the season in sixth place in 2025, trailing season champion Lando Norris of McLaren. He had not reached the podium since winning the Belgian Grand Prix in July 2024 while racing for Mercedes.
“I started out with a dream last year that seemed almost impossible,” Hamilton said immediately after the race. “The team never gave up, continually improving and supporting me. I also have an incredible fanbase behind me. Thank you. Thank you to everyone.”
Hamilton executed Ferrari’s strategy flawlessly, employing a three‑stop plan and selecting tyres best suited to the blistering 50 °C track temperatures. A Virtual Safety Car stop further aided his progress.
At the race start, Russell took the lead, with Hamilton, Antonelli, Norris, and four‑time world champion Max Verstappen maturing their positions.
On Lap 12, all leaders opted for a tyre change. By Lap 23, Ferrari brought Hamilton in again, and he used the fresh set to close on the front.
During the next pit cycle, Hamilton built a 16‑second advantage. With the Virtual Safety Car later in the race, Ferrari called him in once more with 24 laps to go. Returning to the track, his lead narrowed to under three seconds, but he had the benefit of new hard tyres.
With five laps remaining, Antonelli passed Russell for second, only for a broken end plate to force him out of the race, ending his winning streak.
Hamilton finished 19.5 seconds ahead of Russell, with Norris securing third place. The trio formed the first all‑British podium since 1968.
Post‑race, Russell praised Ferrari’s progress, stating the team is now a genuine threat. “Huge congrats to Hamilton,” he added, noting their shared history at Mercedes. “It’s a great day to be on the podium, and Ferrari performed impressively. We must keep pushing.”