Lewis Hamilton wins first grand prix for Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton has become the seventh-oldest driver ever to win a Formula 1 grand prix

Published 14 June 2026

A tearful Lewis Hamilton claimed his maiden victory for Ferrari at a dramatic Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, as championship leader Kimi Antonelli retired from second place with just four laps remaining.

The race concluded in spectacular fashion, marked by constant tension and high stakes, as Hamilton secured his first win since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, when he was still racing for Mercedes.

The outcome was determined by a virtual safety-car (VSC) period that enabled Hamilton, who was on a different pit-stop strategy compared to Mercedes, to make his stop and maintain the lead.

Meanwhile, Antonelli had just overtaken Russell for second place with five laps to go following an intense, race-long duel when his car came to a sudden stop due to an electrical failure.

Russell finished in second position, while McLaren's Lando Norris took third, marking the first all-British podium since the 1968 US Grand Prix.

Hamilton said over the radio: "Grazie a tutti. You've helped me achieve this dream. I am so proud of you. To my family, I love you, and to the fans, thank you for continuing to remind me who I am."

The key narratives of this landmark race included:

Confirmation that Hamilton and Ferrari are once again competitive at the front

Antonelli's first mechanical issue of the year, which gave Russell a much-needed stroke of luck

An ironic twist regarding the cause of the VSC that ultimately handed Hamilton the victory

Without the VSC, Hamilton's three-stop strategy—compared to the two-stop plans of Russell and Antonelli—would have seen him chasing the two Mercedes and battling for the win in the final laps.

However, the VSC allowed Hamilton to save approximately 10 seconds during his pit stop, emerging still in the lead before pulling away on fresher tyres.

Hamilton's victory, combined with Antonelli's retirement, reduced the seven-time champion's championship deficit to 41 points.

Russell also closed the gap on Antonelli and now trails the Italian by 50 points.

When asked where this win ranked among his 106 career victories, Hamilton said: "They are all special in their own way. But this one is something else. I watched Ferrari have all that success, when I was younger, watching it on TV and as I have been racing, I've always watched the screens and wondered what it will be like to win in that car and it has come.

"Everyone has worked hard for it and everyone deserves it. I am forever grateful to them and this is just the first of, I hope, many. Great pit stops today, great strategy. The car felt fantastic. Forza Ferrari."

Alonso's retirement delivers win to Hamilton

The previous all-British podium occurred at the 1968 US Grand Prix, where Jackie Stewart won ahead of Graham Hill and John Surtees

For much of the race, it appeared that one of the Mercedes drivers would prevail, as Russell converted his pole position into a lead over Hamilton and Antonelli at the start, with the three maintaining that order for nearly the first half of the event.

The differing strategies of the three cars became evident as soon as Hamilton pitted on lap 11 to swap his soft tyres.

Russell and Antonelli had begun the race on the medium compound, but Mercedes opted to bring them in after Hamilton to protect track position, even though the team's radio communications made it clear they were aware they were on a different strategy.

When Hamilton made his second pit stop on lap 27, Antonelli began to put pressure on Russell for the lead, closing right up on his teammate and attempting a couple of overtakes into Turn One.

However, the two drivers were cautioned not to waste excessive time fighting, given their battle with Hamilton.

Russell made his final stop on lap 36, with Antonelli following a lap later, handing the lead to Hamilton, who still had one stop remaining.

Initially, Hamilton's task appeared to be losing as little time as possible to the advancing Mercedes on their fresher tyres, before pitting, dropping to third, and attempting to catch them again.

But Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin broke down at Turn Nine on lap 40, prompting the deployment of a VSC to safely recover the car.

Under a VSC, cars must slow down and maintain their gaps, but because they are travelling at reduced speed, a pit stop costs relatively less time than under normal racing conditions.

Hamilton held a 14-second lead, which was sufficient to pit under the VSC and emerge still in front.

This placed him in a strong position, leading with tyres that were eight laps fresher. Only a mechanical issue could now deny him victory, and the car ran flawlessly to the finish, securing Ferrari's first win since Mexico 2024.

Two small ironies marked the occasion. Hamilton's win was Ferrari's first in Spain since 2013, when the man who delivered that victory was Alonso, whose retirement triggered the VSC that brought this next win to his former arch-rival.

Additionally, the post-race interviews were conducted by Nico Rosberg, Hamilton's former Mercedes teammate, with whom he had also shared a contentious relationship during their time together—ten years after the pair collided on the first lap of this very race while competing for the title.

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Luck turns at Mercedes

At Mercedes, it was a story of mixed fortunes.

Russell would likely have won the race had it not been for the VSC, but until Antonelli's retirement, it appeared he would once again have to settle for second best behind his young teammate, who has enjoyed a sensational turnaround in form this year.

Russell needed a strong weekend after a difficult run of form and results, and on a competitive level, he delivered one.

For a long time, it seemed he would secure his second win of the year, only for the VSC to turn the race on its head.

He weathered the initial wave of pressure from Antonelli mid-race and looked set for victory.

But once the VSC propelled Hamilton to the front, Russell remained under pressure from Antonelli, and the 19-year-old overtook him into Turn One with five laps to go.

No sooner had Antonelli moved into second place than luck turned against him, and his car ground to a halt between Turns Five and Six.

His retirement moved McLaren's Norris into the final podium spot. The world champion had been close behind Antonelli for much of the race but not quite close enough to challenge.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished fourth, ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri and the second Red Bull of Isack Hadjar.

In contrast to Hamilton's joy, his teammate Charles Leclerc retired from sixth place when his Ferrari lost power steering at roughly the same time Antonelli stopped.

Alpine's Franco Colapinto received a 10-second time penalty after the race for a yellow-flag infringement.

The Argentine finished eighth on the road, but the penalty dropped him to 10th, promoting Racing Bulls teammates Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad to eighth and ninth, respectively.

Top 10

1. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

2. George Russell (Mercedes)

3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

6. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)

7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

9. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

10. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

Full Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix results

Drivers' championship standings

Constructors' championship standings

What's next?

There is a two-week break before the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, scheduled for 26-28 June.