Lewis Hamilton won the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix on Sunday to claim his first victory since joining Ferrari, ending a six-race run of Mercedes wins this season. The seven-time world champion secured his 106th career win — and his first since the Belgian Grand Prix in July 2024, when he was still driving for Mercedes.
Hamilton’s breakthrough for Ferrari came as Formula 1 leader Kimi Antonelli suffered a late retirement, breaking down on track with four laps remaining. The result also snapped Mercedes’ hold on the top step of the podium, which had lasted through the opening six races of the campaign.
How Hamilton secured his breakthrough Ferrari win
Hamilton’s route to victory hinged on fresher tyres and what was described as a superior pitstop strategy from Ferrari. Those factors helped him overhaul pole-sitter George Russell, who ultimately finished second.
Russell started from the front but could not hold off Hamilton once Ferrari’s strategy put the Briton in position to attack. Hamilton’s move on Russell proved decisive in a race that also featured a significant late twist involving the championship leader.
Antonelli, who had won five races in a row, had earlier passed his Mercedes teammate Russell before his car came to a stop on the circuit with just four laps left. His retirement removed the season’s form driver from contention at the end and reshaped the closing stages.
For Hamilton, the win carried added significance beyond the points: it was his first since moving to Ferrari two years ago, and it pushed his record career tally to 106 victories.
Antonelli’s late retirement changes the finish
The race’s key late moment came when Antonelli’s car broke down on track with four laps remaining. Antonelli entered the weekend as the Formula 1 leader and had been riding a wave of momentum after winning five consecutive races.
His stoppage came after he had moved ahead of Russell, underlining how quickly the competitive picture can shift even in the final laps. With Antonelli out, Hamilton’s win also ensured Mercedes’ early-season dominance did not extend to a seventh straight race.
Hamilton’s message to Ferrari after the chequered flag
Hamilton marked the moment with an emotional message over team radio, thanking those around him for helping him deliver what he described as a dream. “Thank you so much to help me achieve this dream,” Hamilton told his team radio. “Thank you for everyone pushing so hard at home, thanks to my family, and to my fans who continue to remind me who I am. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
After climbing out, Hamilton celebrated by standing on his car, pumping his fist, and sprinting to leap into the arms of Ferrari engineers and pit crew members.
The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix victory gives Ferrari a landmark result in Hamilton’s tenure with the team and provides a major storyline in a season that had, until now, been owned at the front by Mercedes.
