The Brit, 41, wins a GP for the Scuderia Ferrari for the first time, winning in Barcelona ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris.
Now also a winner for Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton. Reuters/Manaure Quintero
With a little safety car luck Formula 1-Record world champion Lewis Hamilton celebrated his first victory for Ferrari in Spain. The Brit extended his record in the premier motorsport class on Sunday at the Barcelona-Catalonia Grand Prix with his 106th Grand Prix success and won the first triumph for the Scuderia since October 2024. George Russell had to compete in his 100th race Mercedes Settle for second place, teammate Kimi Antonelli dropped out.
Antonelli, the world championship leader, rolled out his “Silver Arrow” three laps before the end of the race, having overtaken second-placed Russell shortly before. Hamilton, who celebrated his first GP victory since July 2024 in Belgium and his seventh in Barcelona (record), was on the top podium for Ferrari at a Grand Prix for the first time since his move a year and a half ago thanks to a lucky choice of strategy. “Grazie tutti. Thank you for helping me fulfill this dream,” said Hamilton on the radio.
Third place became world champion Lando Norris in front of Red Bull hopefuls Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc also had to park his Ferrari shortly before the checkered flag. In the World Championship standings, Hamilton, in second place overall, reduced his gap to the leading teenager Antonelli to 41 points. Russell is now 50 points behind the 19-year-old, who recently won five races in a row. The motorsport premier class is now taking a week’s break before the Austrian Grand Prix (June 28th) takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
The start of the race on the circuit in Montmelo, northeast of Barcelona, promised excitement. Because Hamilton, who had already impressed with quick starts this year, opted for a softer set of tires in second place on the grid, unlike the Mercedes duo. On the long way to the first corner, pole setter Russell easily defended his leading position.
Because of the hot temperatures, a race with several pit stops started early. Hamilton made his first change on lap twelve of 66, Russell countered shortly afterwards and then completed his lead laps with a lead of just a few seconds. A little later the procedure changed: Hamilton got a new set of tires again (lap 28), the “Silver Arrows” waited.
At the halfway point of the race things got exciting again between Russell and Antonelli. The teenager caught up with his teammate and put his World Cup rival under pressure – but there was no overtaking maneuver. Then local hero Fernando presented Alonso The race turned upside down: Shortly after the two Mercedes drivers swapped their tires, the 44-year-old had to park his Aston Martin on the side of the track. The result was a virtual safety car. Hamilton thanked him, took the lead and had the freshest set of tires on the car.
While Hamilton extended his lead at the front, Antonelli showed his top form behind him. The Mercedes shooting star flew past Russell five laps before the checkered flag and thus supposedly got the next boost of motivation in the World Championship fight. One lap later, the youngster’s Silver Arrow rolled out. (APA/fin)
