Lewis Hamilton Seals First Ferrari Win At Montmelo, Silencing The Doubters

Lewis Hamilton delivered Ferrari a long-awaited Formula One victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, ending a run of 40 races without a win and prompting Lando Norris to say Hamilton can answer doubters. Hamilton beat former Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Norris, completing a rare all-British podium.

The 41-year-old secured a seventh career win at Montmelo, more than any other driver at the circuit, and claimed a first victory since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix. The result moved Hamilton within 41 points of the top of the Drivers' Championship, while the Austrian Grand Prix now awaits.

The podium in Spain also carried historic weight for British motorsport. Hamilton, Russell and Norris filled the top three, the first time three British drivers shared a Formula One podium since the 1983 San Marino Grand Prix, giving the Barcelona event added meaning for the trio.

Norris has been open about following Hamilton since childhood and felt the combination of Ferrari and a seven-time world champion added extra significance. Norris viewed the recent run of form as proof that Hamilton has adapted strongly to life at Ferrari after early criticism and a public dip in confidence.

"It's pretty cool, pretty special,Norris said of Hamilton's first Ferrari win. The last few weekends he's certainly seemed to have upped his game. It seems like he is making the most of what he's got now, and it's cool to see. I grew up as a fan of Lewis. I'm still a fan of his and as a seven-time world champion it's always a pleasure to see those kinds of things. With Ferrari, it's even cooler to see that partnership come through and pay dividends as it is now. To share the podium with him, and with George, to have three Brits up there for the first time since 1968, was pretty special andcool for us to represent our country that way. I'm happy for him, but I hope he's not this fast the whole season because it would be nice if we could battle a bit more! I think you could see how much it meant to him. At the same time, he'shad a lot of people talk badly about him, and he's got a lot of c***online frompeople, so it's nice that he can stick the middle finger up to all of them."

Hamilton had spoken during the previous season about feeling "absolutely useless" and even suggested Ferrari might look at alternatives, after online criticism and a difficult spell. The victory at Barcelona therefore marked a sharp contrast to that mood, with current rivals now stressing renewed respect for Hamilton's threat in this championship.

Russell, who shared the Mercedes garage with Hamilton for three seasons before Hamilton's move to Ferrari, also reflected on the scale of the decision to leave the Silver Arrows. For Russell, Barcelona was a first podium since second place at the Chinese Grand Prix in March, strengthening the sense of occasion.

"We both sort of grew up as fans of Lewis and, for myself, spending three years together in Mercedes, so much respect, Russell added. It was a big, bold move to join Ferrari, and to see it now paying off for him is very special to see, given the magnitude of the decision. And he's going to be a real threat. So, as Lando said, hopefully it doesn't continue for too long, but to be standing up here, three Brits, for the first time in 60 years, it's a special feeling."

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari season outlook and title race

Ferrari's success in Spain also followed late drama for Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes. Antonelli retired near the end of the race, which eased Hamilton's path in the Drivers' Championship and opened the door for Russell to climb onto the podium for the first time since Shanghai.

The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix therefore reshaped both the narrative around Hamilton and the balance of the title race. Hamilton now carries renewed momentum into the Austrian Grand Prix, a venue where Hamilton has tasted victory only once, in 2016, while rivals Norris and Russell expect an ongoing, close fight across the season.