Hamilton claims first Ferrari win in Barcelona as Antonelli retires from second
Lewis Hamilton claimed his 106th career victory and first for Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli retired from second place with a mechanical failure.
Hamilton ends Ferrari drought
Lewis Hamilton secured his first win in Ferrari colours at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Sunday, 14 June 2026. The seven-time world champion led a race that saw his 106th career triumph and a record seventh victory at the Spanish venue, surpassing Michael Schumacher. Hamilton crossed the line ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris to complete the first all-British podium since 1968.
Thank you to the whole team, especially Fred for believing in me and bringing me to Ferrari. Last year I started chasing a dream that seemed almost impossible, but we never gave up hope and the team just kept trying.
The victory also ended Mercedes’ perfect start to the season. Russell had won the opening round in Australia, and Antonelli had reeled off five consecutive wins before Barcelona.
Antonelli’s empty feeling
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli saw his car stop while running second with only a handful of laps remaining. The 19-year-old Italian had earlier overtaken team-mate Russell for the position but was forced to park his Mercedes with a reliability problem. The failure cost Antonelli his first non-score of the year and trimmed his points lead to 41 over Hamilton.
I feel a bit empty to be fair right now, but it is what it is. I didn’t see it coming… all of a sudden I was at the apex of turn five and the car just gave up.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the reliability concern, saying his team would leave no stone unturned to understand the failure. Russell, who inherited second, also flagged recent issues as worrying.
VSC twist and Alonso’s exit
Fernando Alonso’s afternoon ended on lap 40 when his Aston Martin stopped at turn nine, triggering a Virtual Safety Car. The interruption halved Hamilton’s pit-stop time and allowed the Ferrari driver to emerge ahead of both Mercedes cars, a moment that proved decisive in the race outcome. Alonso, who had started from the pit lane, expressed growing frustration with the team’s performance.
In recent years there have been upgrades that didn’t improve the car. We need to see some results. Being close to the pack was the best part of the weekend – maybe the last time in Barcelona.
Earlier, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll had retired on lap seven with a gearbox issue.
Domenicali wants Alonso to stay
Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali addressed Alonso’s uncertain future during the Barcelona weekend, calling the two-time champion a hero the sport needs. He said he hopes Alonso remains for many more years and believes the Spaniard can still deliver with the right machinery.
I hope Fernando Alonso stays in F1 for fifty years. We need heroes. That’s why I hope Fernando stays for a long time, because with the right car he is still very strong.
Domenicali also noted that a proper project could allow Alonso to show his talent again.
