Lewis Hamilton is back on the top step of the podium.
The seven-time world champion claimed his first grand prix victory as a Ferrari driver at the Barcelona-Catalunya GP on Sunday. Hamilton, who opted for a three-stop strategy, was able to beat out George Russell when a virtual safety car caused by Fernando Alonso stopping on track handed him track position.
It's the first time Hamilton has won a race since the 2024 Belgian GP and its Ferrari's first victory since Carlos Sainz triumphed at the 2024 Mexican GP.
"It seemed impossible, the team continued to lift me up, we made so many improvements and I have the best fanbase a sportsman could ever ask for," Hamilton said after his victory.
Incredible scenes in parc ferme 😍#F1 #BarcelonaGP pic.twitter.com/iiOfLu2Erq
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026
Hamilton becomes the first driver in F1 history to win a GP race for McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
Russell and Lando Norris rounded out the podium. Hamilton finished 19.561 seconds in front of Russell.
Kimi Antonelli, running in second, stopped on track with four laps remaining and was forced to retire. It's the first time he's failed to reach the podium this season.
It wasn't such a good day for Hamilton's teammate, Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver also retired in the closing stages of the race, giving him consecutive DNFs for the first time as a Ferrari driver.
Hamilton now only trails Antonelli by 41 points in the drivers' championship.
"I will take it, there is a long long way to go," Hamilton said after the race. "(Mercedes) have great pace but (the title fight) is not over, that's for sure."
