F1 2026 Spanish Grand Prix: Hamilton Claims First Ferrari Victory as Antonelli and Leclerc Retire
The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix delivered a thrilling mix of strategy, drama, and late-race heartbreak as Lewis Hamilton secured his first victory as a Ferrari driver at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
With high temperatures expected to cause significant tire degradation, teams entered the race anticipating either two- or three-stop strategies. As expected, pit wall decisions ultimately played a crucial role in determining the outcome.
Russell Leads Early
Starting from pole position, George Russell made a perfect getaway and maintained the lead into Turn 1. Hamilton followed closely behind, applying pressure from the opening laps.
Different tire strategies quickly became a key factor. Russell opted for medium tires, while Hamilton began the race on the softer compound in an attempt to maximize early pace.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc made an excellent start, gaining three positions to move into seventh place. In contrast, Red Bull's Isack Hadjar suffered a difficult opening lap and dropped several places.
Strategic Battle Intensifies
The first round of pit stops began around Lap 12, particularly among drivers running soft tires. Hamilton was among the first frontrunners to stop, with Russell responding shortly afterward.
These stops temporarily handed the race lead to Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli, whose pace throughout the event continued to impress.
As the race progressed, Hamilton committed to an aggressive strategy with a second stop, while Mercedes initially chose to keep Russell on track to preserve track position.
Mercedes Duel for the Lead
One of the race's highlights came on Lap 33 when Antonelli closed in on Russell and launched an attack for the lead. The young Italian attempted to challenge his teammate but Russell defended strongly and held onto first place.
The battle showcased both Mercedes drivers' competitiveness and hinted at the team's growing strength in the championship fight.
Perfect Timing for Ferrari
A decisive moment arrived when Fernando Alonso stopped on track, triggering a Virtual Safety Car period.
Hamilton, who had inherited the lead, immediately took advantage of the reduced-speed conditions to make a perfectly timed pit stop. Ferrari's strategy worked flawlessly, allowing him to rejoin the race still ahead of Russell.
From that point onward, Hamilton controlled the pace and looked increasingly likely to secure victory.
Late-Race Drama
With just a few laps remaining, Antonelli overtook Russell to move into second place. However, disaster struck shortly afterward when a mechanical failure forced the Mercedes driver to stop on track.
The retirement ended what had been another outstanding performance from the championship contender.
Ferrari then suffered its own disappointment when Charles Leclerc encountered technical problems and was forced to retire, ending his hopes of a strong points finish.
Hamilton Breaks Through with Ferrari
Benefiting from Ferrari's strong strategy and maintaining excellent pace throughout the closing laps, Hamilton crossed the finish line first to claim a memorable victory.
The win marked his first triumph as a Ferrari driver and his first Formula 1 victory since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix.
George Russell finished second, while Lando Norris completed the podium in third place. Max Verstappen took fourth, Oscar Piastri finished fifth, and Isack Hadjar secured sixth position.
