Hamilton ends two-year drought with emotional first Ferrari win at Spanish Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton claimed his first win for Ferrari at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Sunday, ending almost two years without a grand prix victory. The seven-time world champion started second and beat fellow Britons George Russell (Mercedes) and Lando Norris (McLaren) to the chequered flag, securing the 106th win of his career. It was also Ferrari’s first win since Carlos Sainz triumphed in Mexico in 2024, and the first race of 2026 not won by a Mercedes.

Decisive virtual safety car

Hamilton had started on soft tyres, pitted for hards on lap 12 and then switched to fresh softs on lap 28, committing to a three-stop race. His former Mercedes colleagues Russell and Antonelli were on a two-stop strategy and controlled the lead for the first half of the race. The complexion changed on lap 41 when Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin stopped on track, triggering a virtual safety car. Hamilton, who was already in front after the Mercedes drivers had pitted, took advantage to stop for hard tyres while his rivals were stuck. He rejoined just ahead of Russell and Antonelli at the restart on lap 43 and pulled away with slightly fresher rubber to secure the win.

Antonelli’s late retirement

Kimi Antonelli, the Italian Mercedes driver who had won the previous five grands prix and led the championship, had been shadowing his teammate Russell for much of the afternoon. On lap 61 he finally passed Russell for second place, only to suffer an engine problem moments later after contact between the two cars and retire from the race. Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate, also failed to finish, marking his second consecutive retirement. The double DNF handed a 100% British podium of Hamilton, Russell and Norris.

Hamilton’s emotional milestone

At 41, Hamilton became the oldest race winner since Jack Brabham in the 1970s and the emotion was evident on the podium. Speaking to Canal+, he said:

I want to start by saying a huge thank you to my team. I’ve been through some difficult times over the last year. We’ve made so many changes. The team kept carrying me. I have amazing fans. I couldn’t ask for more.

He added:

Each one is special in its own way, but this one has something else. I used to watch Ferrari have all those successes on TV when I was young. I imagined driving and winning with this car. I’ve done it, I’m grateful. It’s not over, that’s for sure. Forza Ferrari!

Championship picture

Hamilton’s victory, combined with Antonelli’s zero-point afternoon, moved the Briton to 115 points, 41 behind the Italian’s 156. Russell sits third with 106 points. The next race is the Austrian Grand Prix on 28 June.