Drama surrounding Antonelli

LIVE: Perfect strategy! Hamilton suddenly takes the lead

Lewis Hamilton (center) won the Catalan Grand Prix.(Bild: AP/Fatima Shbair)

Lewis Hamilton has won the Catalan Grand Prix! For the 41-year-old Brit, it is his first victory with Ferrari and his seventh in Barcelona. In addition to a solid strategy, Hamilton capitalized on a virtual safety car period to pull away from his compatriots George Russell and Lando Norris. The race ended bitterly for championship leader Kimi Antonelli; the Italian retired while running in second place with four laps to go. It was also game over for Charles Leclerc on lap 62.

With a bit of safety car luck, Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton celebrated his first victory for Ferrari in Spain. On Sunday at the Barcelona-Catalonia Grand Prix, the Briton extended his record in the premier class of motorsport with his 106th Grand Prix victory and secured the Scuderia’s first triumph since October 2024. 

The result:

“Grazie a tutti”
Antonelli rolled to a stop in his “Silver Arrow” three laps before the end of the race, shortly after having overtaken second-place Russell. Hamilton, who celebrated his first GP victory since July 2024 in Belgium and his seventh in Barcelona (a record), stood on the top step of the podium for Ferrari for the first time since joining the team a year and a half ago, thanks to a fortunate strategic choice. “Grazie a tutti. Thank you for helping me fulfill this dream,” Hamilton said over the radio.

The seven-time world champion also ended the winning streak of his former employer, Mercedes, following a flawless start to the season with six victories. “All my wins are special, but this one is unique,” Hamilton said, overjoyed, in his first victory interview in 686 days. “Forza Ferrari!” Defending champion Lando Norris finished third ahead of Red Bull’s rising star Max Verstappen. Norris thus completed the first all-British podium since the 1968 United States Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc also had to retire his Ferrari shortly before the checkered flag. In the World Championship standings, Hamilton, now in second place overall, cut his deficit to the leading teenager Antonelli to 41 points. Russell is now 50 points behind the 19-year-old, who had most recently won five races in a row. The premier class of motorsport now takes a one-week break before the Austrian Grand Prix (June 28) at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

Russell Defended Pole Position with Ease
The start of the race at the Montmelo circuit northeast of Barcelona promised excitement. Hamilton, who had already impressed with quick starts this year, opted for a softer set of tires from second on the grid, unlike the Mercedes duo. On the long run to the first corner, however, pole-setter Russell defended his lead without any trouble.

George Russell got off to a good start.(Bild: AFP/JOSEP LAGO)

  Due to the hot temperatures, a race with multiple pit stops was on the horizon early on. Hamilton made his first pit stop on lap twelve of 66; Russell countered shortly thereafter and then led the race with a lead of just a few seconds. Shortly thereafter, the strategy changed: Hamilton picked up a new set of tires (lap 28), while the “Silver Arrows” held off.

Alonso inadvertently helped Hamilton
Halfway through the race, things got exciting again between Russell and Antonelli. The teenager closed in on his teammate and put pressure on his championship rival—but a pass never materialized. Then local hero Fernando Alonso turned the race on its head: Shortly after the two Mercedes drivers changed their tires, the 44-year-old had to pull his Aston Martin over to the side of the track. A virtual safety car ensued. Hamilton took advantage, seized the lead, and had the freshest set of tires on his car.

While Hamilton extended his lead at the front, Antonelli proved his top form behind him. The Mercedes rising star flew past Russell five laps before the checkered flag, seemingly securing another boost of motivation in the championship battle. One lap later, however, the youngster’s Silver Arrow came to a stop.