Image: from Scuderia Ferrari HP X @ScuderiaFerrari
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Lewis Hamilton secured his first Formula 1 victory as a Ferrari driver on Sunday, delivering a flawless performance to win the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. The seven-time world champion capitalised on an aggressive three-stop strategy and a perfectly timed Virtual Safety Car to take the lead and end Kimi Antonelli’s streak of five consecutive victories.
The triumph marks a significant milestone in Hamilton’s Ferrari career and throws the championship battle wide open after seven rounds of the 2026 season.
Hamilton crossed the finish line ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell, who inherited second place following Antonelli’s late retirement, while McLaren’s Lando Norris completed the podium in third. Defending champion Max Verstappen finished fourth, followed by Oscar Piastri and Isack Hadjar.
Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson, and Arvid Lindblad rounded out the top ten, while Brazil’s Gabriel Bortoleto narrowly missed out on his first points for Audi by finishing 11th.
A HISTORIC PODIUM
You haven't seen an all-British Formula One podium since the 1968 United States Grand Prix, but history was made today in Barcelona. Lewis Hamilton stood on the top step for Ferrari, joined by former teammate George Russell in second and reigning World Champion… pic.twitter.com/KB23fHQI1Y
— Kym Illman (@KymIllman) June 14, 2026
The moment Lewis Hamilton secured a stunning first Grand Prix for Ferrari win as Mercedes suffers major blow in Barcelona pic.twitter.com/MqQhI6GmeQ https://t.co/5wATytYMZv
— utdzaire🇨🇩 (@utdZaiire) June 14, 2026
Russell made a strong start from pole position, maintaining the lead into the opening corner as Hamilton held on to second place and Antonelli settled into third. Further back, Bortoleto endured a difficult opening lap, dropping from 12th to 17th, while Hadjar also lost several positions before beginning an impressive recovery drive.
As expected, tyre degradation became a major factor almost immediately. Several drivers struggled for grip, with Norris among those reporting difficulties over team radio. Ferrari reacted by putting Hamilton on an aggressive three-stop strategy, while Mercedes and McLaren aimed to complete the race with only two visits to the pits.
Did we just witness the rare ferrari strategy masterclass?!
Lewis Hamilton’s first win for ferrari
& his first win in 2 yearsmeanwhile, Charles Leclerc… #barcelonagp pic.twitter.com/CGfirjnWsR
— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) June 14, 2026
The tactical battle gradually became the defining feature of the afternoon. Hamilton was one of the first front-runners to pit, and Ferrari’s willingness to gamble on an extra stop allowed the British driver to maintain a strong pace throughout the race.
In the midfield, Hadjar emerged as one of the standout performers, climbing back through the field after his poor start. Bortoleto also enjoyed a competitive afternoon, recovering positions with overtakes on Esteban Ocon and battling Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman.
Audi’s hopes suffered a setback on lap 32 when Nico Hülkenberg retired with a mechanical issue while fighting near the edge of the top ten.
The decisive moment came on lap 40 when local favourite Fernando Alonso stopped on track with technical problems, triggering a Virtual Safety Car. Ferrari immediately called Hamilton in for his final pit stop, allowing him to complete the service while losing significantly less time than under normal race conditions.
#F1 #BarcelonaGP
Lewis, Lewis and more Lewis !echo sound around Barcelona as fans celebrated a historic day for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari. At the Barcelona-Catalunya GP, Hamilton won his first Grand Prix for Ferrari, snapping a long losing streak and delivering an emotional…— Ghulam Mustafa (@GhulamM90) June 14, 2026
The strategy proved decisive. Hamilton rejoined as the effective race leader and quickly began extending his advantage. Behind him, Mercedes attempted to respond as Antonelli increased the pressure on teammate Russell. On lap 61, the championship leader finally overtook Russell to move into second place and appeared set to continue his remarkable winning run.
However, disaster struck only one lap later. Antonelli’s Mercedes suffered a mechanical failure, forcing the young Italian to retire while running second. Moments afterward, Ferrari also suffered heartbreak on the other side of the garage as Charles Leclerc encountered hydraulic problems and was forced to abandon the race.
Antonelli’s retirement promoted Russell back to second place, with Norris moving up to third. Hamilton, meanwhile, remained in complete control and comfortably managed the gap to claim his maiden victory for Ferrari.
The result not only ends Antonelli’s dominance but also significantly boosts Ferrari’s championship challenge, reducing the gap to Mercedes and injecting fresh excitement into the title fight.
Formula 1 now takes a short break before returning for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, scheduled for 26 to 28 June.
2026 Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona, Top 10 Results
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Lando Norris (McLaren Mercedes)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Ford)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren Mercedes)
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Ford)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine Mercedes)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine Mercedes)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls Red Bull Ford)
- Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls Red Bull Ford)
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