Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton wins Spanish GP for historic first victory in Ferrari colours

Fraser Masefield
4 months ago
6 min read

Lewis Hamilton won a historic first grand prix as a Ferrari driver at the Circuit de Catalunya, his team judging his three-stop strategy perfectly to lead home Mercedes pole sitter George Russell and Lando Norris.


A late Virtual Safety Car played perfectly into the seven-time champion’s hands, giving him an advantageous lead over Russell and Kimi Antonelli with much fresher tyres.

And when Antonelli retired from second with only a handful of laps remaining, Hamilton could cruise home for a 106th career F1 victory.

Lewis Hamilton celebrates victory in the 2026 Spanish GP – Photo Florent Gooden / DPPI

It was also the seven-time champion’s seventh win around the Circuit de Catalunya, beating Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s previous record.

“First, I have to say a huge Grazie to everyone here, my team here everyone back at the factory and Fred for believing in me, for bringing me to this team,” said Hamilton afterwards.

“I started on a dream last year that seemed almost impossible during my time last year. But we never gave up hope. The team continued to lift me up, we made so many changes and so many improvements.

“On top of that I’ve had the greatest fanbase a sportsman could ever ask for and so thank you to everybody. They (victories) are all special in their own way, but this is something else.

“I grew up watching Ferrari having success when I was younger watching it on TV.

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“Racing here, I’d watch the screens and always wonder what it would be like winning in that car.

“And it’s come. Everyone has worked so hard for it and truly deserved it, so I’m forever grateful to them.

“This is just the first of many, I hope. Great pit stops today, great strategy. The car felt fantastic. Forza Ferrari.”

It had looked as if championship leader Antonelli would finish second after the Italian produced a late pass on Russell.

But a technical failure with four laps remaining meant that it was an all-British podium for the first time since the 1968 US Grand Prix of Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill and John Surtees.

Max Verstappen finished a valuable fourth for Red Bull Racing ahead of Oscar Piastri, Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly.

Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad rounded out the top ten.

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“Firstly huge congrats to this guy, because I know how hard he works” said Russell in the post-race TV interviews.

“We spent a lot of years together at Mercedes so really pleased to see the Lewis back to the one I remember when I was growing up watching Formula One.

“Tough day, it was good to be back on the podium and have a bit of a clean race from my side. But Ferrari mighty impressive today and we need to keep on pushing.”

Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium – Photo Eric Alonso / DPPI

THE TALE OF THE RACE

Hamilton, Verstappen and Hulkenberg were the only drivers in the top ten to choose the aggressive soft tyre strategy at the start, hoping to make up early places.

And it was as you were for the top four after the first corner, Verstappen splitting the two McLarens after getting the jump on Piastri.

Leclerc was also making ground, gaining three places after his disappointing end to qualifying.

When the race settled into a rhythm, it was Russell who held a comfortable lead over Hamilton.

But with a variance on pit stop strategy, that would ultimately decide the places.


Hamilton was first to pit for a set of hard compound tyres in a move that triggered a flurry of stops, Russell in a lap later in order to maintain track position.

When the dust settled it was still Russell who led from Hamilton, Antonelli, Norris and Verstappen – all on the hard Pirelli tyre.


It was Hamilton who was calling the shots, however, stopping again for mediums on lap 27, meaning he would stop one more time.

With Antonelli all over the back off Russell but on a final warning over track limits, it was a tense time in the Mercedes garage before the second set of stops.

It was now Hamilton who held the net lead of the race over Russell and Antonelli with a final stop remaining. It really was too close a race to call.

But a timely Virtual Safety Car worked out beautifully for Hamilton and Ferrari, giving him a free stop and track position with mechanics high fiving in the pits.

With Hamilton’s tyres now five laps younger than Russell’s and taking him to the end of the race, it was his to lose.


And he increased his lead further still, to claim a deserved victory and one that will live long in the memory for Hamilton and Ferrari fans alike.

It all means that Antonelli still leads the championship standings despite his late retirement.

But now Hamilton is his closest challenger, the Brit 41 points behind his young Italian rival but also 9 ahead of compatriot Russell.

“I think it was just working my way back to my centre,” added Lewis of his renewed form of late.

“I’ve got great prep, I’ve trained so hard to be here today there’s so much work that I’ve done, I’m doing in the background.

“Also the team have given me that confidence with the changes they’ve made.

“Believing and trusting in the decisions, the things I’ve asked for and we’re slowly starting to see this all come together.

“And I’m happy in my life. I’m in a good place. I love doing what I do. There’s no greater feeling than racing a Formula One car.”

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Fraser Masefield

Fraser is a sports and motorsports editor with over 25 years experience. The former head editor of WilliamsF1, BMW Motorsport, Jaguar Racing and Virgin Media, he has also worked for Autosport, ESPNF1 and Eurosport amongst others.

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