Lewis Hamilton’s former Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas has hailed the Briton’s maiden Ferrari victory on the Barcelona GP as proof that critics ought to by no means write the seven-time world champion off. Even after a tricky debut season with the Scuderia, Bottas was by no means doubtful that Hamilton may get again to his greatest.
686 days after his final victory with Mercedes on the 2024 Belgian GP, Hamilton lastly has his first in Ferrari pink in Catalunya. An aggressive three-stop technique towards Mercedes duo and Kimi Antonelli allowed the Briton to set a blistering tempo on his second stint, and with a little bit of assist with the VSC, Hamilton was to not be overwhelmed to the highest step – a efficiency each Russell and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff whatever the Lap 40 VSC intervention.
Commercial
After turning into the primary Ferrari driver in 44 years to not rating a podium all through the season final season, Hamilton has loved a exceptional turnaround in 2026. His first Ferrari win follows two consecutive P2 finishes in Montreal and Miami, respectively, and because of Antonelli’s late DNF in Barcelona, Hamilton is now simply 41 factors behind the championship lead after seven rounds of motion.
Bottas: By no means write Hamilton off
Photograph: Race Footage
Photograph: Race Footage
For Cadillac’s Bottas, who gained 5 Constructors’ titles in his 5 years alongside Hamilton at Mercedes, seeing his good pal’s return to kind has been a welcome sight. Bottas advised media, together with GPblog: “It is nice to see. He actually appears to be again at his greatest once more.
Commercial
“I assumed they did a fantastic technique. Sure, they had been fortunate with the digital security automotive, however really the hole he pulled, I feel he possibly would have gotten it. anyway. So, it is good to see.”
Bottas, understanding Hamilton higher than most, was then requested whether or not he had any doubts his former teammate would ultimately regain his kind, after 2025 season that noticed Hamilton end P6 within the standings, 86 factors off Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.
“I at all times knew it’s best to by no means write him off,” Bottas replied. “In the long run, he is Lewis. He is nonetheless bought probably the most wins and championships, so it is not just like the talent goes away in a single yr. He appears in a very good place.”
Russell cannot disguise delight for Hamilton
Photograph: Race Footage
Photograph: Race Footage
Commercial
Neither Russell nor Lando Norris may disguise their happiness for Hamilton after his first Ferrari win in Barcelona. They might not have had the right weekends themselves, ending P2 and P3, respectively, however each Britons had been nonetheless happy for the 41-year-old, additionally making historical past to finish the primary all-British podium since Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill and John Surtees on the 1968 United States Grand Prix.
Norris mentioned within the post-race press convention: “It’s fairly particular. It’s good. You recognize, the previous few weekends he’s actually appeared to have upped his sport and as a lot because it, yeah, was one thing we as soon as may form of reap the benefits of and attempt to take advantage of, it looks as if he’s taking advantage of what he’s bought now, and that’s cool to see.
“I grew up as a fan of Lewis and I don’t know if I might nonetheless say I’m like that form of fan, however I’m nonetheless a fan of him. And as a seven-time World Champion, it’s at all times a pleasure to see these sorts of issues. And with Ferrari once more, it’s even cooler to form of see that partnership come via and form of pay dividends, as it’s doing now. So, yeah, particular.”
Russell, who spent three seasons as Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate, echoed Norris’ ideas. He mentioned: “Yeah, I imply he mentioned it fairly properly. We each kind of grew up as followers of Lewis and, you already know, for myself, spending three years collectively in Mercedes, a lot respect.
Commercial
“It was an enormous, daring transfer to affix Ferrari, and to see it now paying off for him could be very particular to see given the magnitude of the choice. And, yeah, he’s going to be an actual menace. So, as Lando mentioned, hopefully it doesn’t proceed for too lengthy, however to be standing up right here, three Brits, first time in 60 years, it’s a particular feeling.”
