Lewis Hamilton Ends Ferrari Wait With Historic Spanish GP Win at 41
Lewis Hamilton claimed an emotional first Formula 1 victory for Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix. The 41-year-old became the first driver over 40 to win an F1 race since Nigel Mansell, while George Russell and Lando Norris completed a historic all-British podium.
June 15, 2026: Lewis Hamilton claimed a memorable victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, securing his first Formula 1 race win since joining Ferrari. The seven-time world champion delivered a flawless drive, making the most of his front-row start and Ferrari's race strategy to end a long wait for both himself and the iconic Italian team.
The win was a historic one for Hamilton. At 41 years old, he became the first driver over the age of 40 to win a Formula 1 race since Nigel Mansell achieved the feat more than three decades ago. It was also Hamilton's first victory since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, when he was still driving for Mercedes.
Perfect Strategy Helps Hamilton Dominate
Ferrari executed a near-perfect three-stop strategy in the intense Barcelona heat, where track temperatures exceeded 50Β°C. Hamilton managed his tyres brilliantly throughout the race and also benefited from a well-timed Virtual Safety Car period that allowed him to make a crucial pit stop without losing significant time.
George Russell started from pole position and led the early stages, with Hamilton, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen close behind. As tyre wear increased, the leading drivers made their pit stops. Hamilton steadily closed the gap and eventually took control of the race as Ferrari's strategy paid off.
P1 FOR FERRARI! ππ΄
Sir Lewis Hamilton takes a historic masterclass victory at the Barcelona Grand Prix, securing his first-ever win for Scuderia Ferrari HP!
The Tifosi are roaring! πποΈ#SpanishGP #ForzaFerrari #LH44 pic.twitter.com/Ssr0dITFw6
β Shitik (@RitikV2) June 14, 2026
After the final round of pit stops during the Virtual Safety Car, Hamilton returned to the track with a slim lead over Russell. However, his fresh hard tyres gave him a clear advantage, allowing him to pull away and secure a comfortable victory.
Drama Behind Hamilton as British Drivers Shine
The podium featured three British drivers, with Russell finishing second and Norris taking third place. It marked the first all-British top three in Formula 1 since 1968, making the result even more special for British motorsport fans.
The race also produced plenty of drama. Antonelli, who had won the previous five races, briefly moved into second place late in the event. However, a broken end plate forced the young star to retire, ending his remarkable winning streak. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc also endured a difficult weekend, crashing heavily in qualifying before retiring from the race.
After the victory, an emotional Hamilton thanked Ferrari and his supporters. "I started out with a dream last year, which seemed almost impossible. But we never gave up hope. The team kept lifting me up, and together we made many improvements," he said. The victory could prove to be a turning point for Hamilton and Ferrari as they look to challenge for more success during the remainder of the Formula 1 season.