Lewis Hamilton Secures First Victory at Ferrari Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton achieves his first victory with Ferrari as Kimi Antonelli’s late retirement alters the Spanish Grand Prix podium.
Lewis Hamilton achieved his inaugural Formula One victory with Ferrari in a heartfelt triumph at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, following the retirement of championship leader Kimi Antonelli from second place with just four laps to go.
Hamilton achieved his first race victory since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, during his time with Mercedes, after a dramatic and closely contested battle that stayed finely balanced until the final moments.
The pivotal moment occurred during a virtual safety-car (VSC) period. Employing an alternative pit-stop strategy compared to Mercedes, Hamilton successfully made a stop and rejoined the race while maintaining his lead.
Antonelli had ascended to second place with five laps remaining after surpassing George Russell in a race-long duel between the two competitors. However, his challenge came to an unexpected end when an electrical shutdown caused his car to stop just one lap later.
Russell finished in second place, with McLaren’s Lando Norris securing third, marking the first all-British podium since the 1968 US Grand Prix.
Upon crossing the finish line, Hamilton shared an emotional message with his Ferrari team over the radio.
“Thank you all.” You have played a crucial role in helping me realize this dream. I am incredibly proud of you. To my family, I love you deeply, and to the fans, I am grateful for your unwavering support in helping me remember my true self.
The victory signifies a notable achievement in Hamilton’s Ferrari career and offers a memorable first Grand Prix win for the seven-time world champion with the Italian team.
