Lewis Hamilton secured his first Grand Prix win for Ferrari with a commanding performance at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, bringing an end to Mercedes' winning streak in the 2026 season. The seven-time world champion crossed the finish line ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli was forced to retire from the race, as reported by the Formula 1 website.
Race Strategy and Key Moments
Although Hamilton failed to take the lead on the opening lap after starting on soft tyres, he capitalized on Ferrari's successful three-stop strategy and a well-timed Virtual Safety Car period. The British driver delivered a series of impressive laps to extend his advantage over the Mercedes duo and secure his first victory in nearly two years, narrowing Antonelli's lead in the drivers' standings.
Podium Finishers
George Russell had to settle for second place, while McLaren's Lando Norris finished third, marking Formula 1's first all-British podium since 1968. Russell endured a challenging race, losing a position to his Mercedes teammate in the closing stages before Kimi Antonelli was forced to retire on Lap 62, according to the F1 website.
Red Bull and McLaren Performances
Red Bull drivers finished fourth and sixth, with Max Verstappen leading the team's charge ahead of Isack Hadjar. McLaren's Oscar Piastri claimed fifth place.
Alpine and Other Teams
The Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto impressed with seventh- and eighth-place finishes, although the Argentine driver is set to be investigated after the race for a potential yellow-flag violation. Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad secured the ninth and 10th finishes, respectively, helping Racing Bulls secure double points for the second consecutive race.
Remaining Classified Finishers
Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto finished 11th ahead of Carlos Sainz in 12th, while Esteban Ocon (13th) and Sergio Perez (14th) were the final classified finishers. Alex Albon was classified 18th after spending much of the race behind due to an unscheduled stop to fix an issue with his Williams.
Retirements and Disappointments
Seven drivers failed to finish the race because of various mechanical problems. Among the most notable retirements were championship leader Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, both of whom dropped out in the closing stages. It was also a disappointing outing for Aston Martin, with both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso retiring. Cadillac withdrew Valtteri Bottas as a precaution, while Nico Hulkenberg and Oliver Bearman were also unable to reach the finish.
