Hamilton wins first Ferrari Grand Prix, ending victory drought
8 reported
Lewis Hamilton secured his first victory for Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, marking the team's first grand prix win since Mexico in October 2024. The race turned on a virtual safety car that gave Hamilton a cheap pit stop, allowing him to lead ahead of Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Mercedes later admitted Hamilton likely would have beaten them anyway due to his pace on fresher tires. Hamilton, 41, said he had doubted himself after a difficult first season at Ferrari, calling it a "nightmare" and describing himself as "just useless." He turned off social media over the winter and intensified his training to reset his mindset. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said the win was a "mega good result" but noted the situation is not completely different from the previous week. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff attributed Hamilton's revival to hard work, the new car design, and possibly his relationship with Kim Kardashian.
What’s reported
Hamilton's victory was Ferrari's first grand prix win since Mexico in October 2024.
The race turned on a virtual safety car that gave Hamilton a cheap pit stop.
Mercedes admitted Hamilton likely would have beaten them even without the safety car.
Hamilton called his first season at Ferrari a "nightmare" and said he doubted himself.
He turned off social media over the winter and increased his training intensity.
Hamilton is the fourth driver in his 40s to win an F1 race since 1958, following Graham Hill, Sir Jack Brabham, and Nigel Mansell.
Hamilton out-qualified teammate Charles Leclerc only seven times last year; this year he leads Leclerc 6-4 in qualifying.
Ferrari introduced their second major upgrade of the year at Barcelona.
Key figures
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari driver
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari team principal
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal
George Russell, Mercedes driver
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes driver
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari driver
Kim Kardashian, referenced as Hamilton's girlfriend
Sources: BBC News
