In his thirty first grand prix begin for Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton has lastly taken the Scuderia to the highest step of the rostrum, his first Formulation 1 win in two calendar years and his 106th profession victory. In an upgraded SF-26, Hamilton opted for a front-footed three-stop technique to put stress on Mercedes’ George Russell. And whereas it took a digital security automobile to get observe place on his former team-mate, Hamilton then obliterated the Mercedes with vastly superior tempo within the ultimate stint, suggesting the win was all the time going to be his and his alone.
Learn Additionally:
F1 Barcelona GP: Lewis Hamilton takes maiden Ferrari win as Kimi Antonelli retires late
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And the way a lot it meant, from his outburst of pleasure on the cooldown lap, his tears watching on as his crew sang the nationwide anthem, his embrace with crew boss Fred Vasseur, the person who risked his personal pores and skin to carry Hamilton to Maranello within the first place.
A Hamilton and Ferrari win is arguably the texture good story that F1 wanted after a season begin dominated by Mercedes, rules discuss and paddock politics. Nevertheless it pales compared to how a lot Hamilton himself wanted it after going a disastrous maiden season with Ferrari in 2025.
‘Perhaps it is true that you simply lose it’
What began off with a false daybreak within the type of a dash race win in China spiralled uncontrolled as Hamilton discovered it powerful to gel along with his new environment. Leaving his consolation zone at Mercedes, Hamilton struggled to recreate the engineering set-up he had at Brackley, and regardless of everybody’s finest efforts he did not have the identical reference to 2025 race engineer Riccardo Adami that he had along with his trusted Peter Bonnington.
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It’s no secret that Hamilton by no means bought on significantly properly with the earlier set of ground-effect automobiles. However maybe a change of surroundings was what was wanted, a contemporary begin within the twilight of an all-time nice profession. As a substitute, what adopted was disillusionment after copping one uppercut after the opposite, which introduced Hamilton to the brink.
Was transferring to Ferrari a mistake? Had he misplaced the sting?
“Final yr, there have been positively moments that I used to be like: ‘Sheesh, possibly it’s true that whenever you get to a sure level, you lose it’,” Hamilton revealed.
The seven-time world champion sank so deep that Ferrari insiders had been questioning if he would flip up once more in 2026, and through which state. These weren’t a lot doubts about Hamilton’s enduring potential, however on whether or not he might construct himself again up over such a brief low season after a soul destroying yr.
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“I really believed in my resolution to affix Ferrari. I really believed in what we might obtain collectively. And I do know it began out with a number of pleasure after which a number of doubt and plenty of negativity that adopted by an entire yr,” Hamilton mirrored.
“I am solely human. So, you realize, there’s moments the place I see the stuff and for certain there’s moments the place I allowed it to get to me and penetrate deeply. However then I went by a sequence of unplugging from that matrix. I spent a number of time with household, a number of time with pals, actual those who know me, which have by no means doubted me, have caught by me my complete life.” He additionally mentioned he fed off uplifting messages from followers, like one tifoso who shouted “remember who you’re” at him.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Hamilton had praised Ferrari and Vasseur had moved “mountains” to make issues click on. That concerned a sequence of powerful selections, starting from revamping Hamilton’s engineering crew to transferring to a distinct braking configuration.
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The SF-26 can be the primary Ferrari to be developed utilizing Hamilton’s enter, and whereas the ability unit rules aren’t coming naturally to anybody, the best way the chassis must be pushed does resonate with Hamilton.
Over the Christmas interval, Hamilton discovered the peace he wanted and got here again as ready as he could possibly be for 2026, in what felt like one final throw of the cube. As soon as he walked by the well-known Ferrari gates in Maranello, Ferrari insiders say they noticed a very completely different individual present up in comparison with the one which quietly shuffled out of the Abu Dhabi paddock some weeks earlier than. A person who had banished his demons.
“Beginning into a brand new season, a brand new yr, tons and plenty of adjustments within the background enabled me to get to this place that I am in immediately,” Hamilton mentioned, explaining Vasseur was the person who was enabling that turnaround to happen. He was additionally eager to offer his new race engineer Carlo Santi – his Italian Bono – his flowers.
Learn Additionally:
Lewis Hamilton discovered his “Italian Bono” at Ferrari in F1 2026
“If we’re getting outcomes, it is as a result of collectively we’re doing an excellent job” – Fred Vasseur
Vasseur himself was modest about his personal contribution, and likewise did not wish to single out people for reward in an effort to guard them from the Italian media’s stress cooker.
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“I’ve zero advantage on this. It is extra Lewis himself,” Vasseur mentioned on Sunday evening. “He was in a position to come again after a troublesome second to do a full reset, to proceed to return to the manufacturing facility on Tuesday morning. This dedication is a big help coming from a world champion. It was additionally an enormous motivation for everyone on the manufacturing facility.
“Carlo is a part of the method and the match between Carlo and Lewis is an efficient one. However we now have to react as a gaggle within the good and the dangerous moments. When it is a dangerous second, I am making an attempt to guard the crew and to take the blame for myself. As we speak, I do not wish to put a division or somebody in entrance. If we’re getting outcomes, it is as a result of collectively we’re doing an excellent job.”
Inevitably, as championship chief Kimi Antonelli retired with extra Mercedes reliability issues, Hamilton’s Barcelona win reignited discuss over an eighth world title, with the Briton now seemingly within the hunt simply 41 factors behind.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
However maybe that is topic for a distinct day. Sunday was a thought-provoking day in Catalonia filled with classes about resilience, bouncing again from adversity, about surrounding your self with the suitable folks, but in addition a cautionary story on how we’re typically too fast to jot down off elite athletes merely due to their age.
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Thirty years on from watching Michael Schumacher take his maiden Ferrari grand prix win on TV on the similar venue, Hamilton now not has to surprise what it will be prefer to take the chequered flag as a Ferrari winner, or what it will really feel like to look at his Italian mechanics blurt out the ‘Il Canto degli Italiani’ in entrance of the rostrum. On Sunday, he might see it along with his personal eyes.
“To be in that pink swimsuit, standing in entrance of that tremendous crew singing the nationwide anthem was actually wonderful to witness and to see the enjoyment of their eyes and to really feel it with them. I almost handed out after I hugged them.
“My coronary heart was exploding with pleasure.”
Photographs from Barcelona-Catalunya GP – SundayLewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Dom Gibbons / Formulation 1 through Getty Photos
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
Clive Mason / Getty Photos
Novak Djokovic arrives within the paddock.
Novak Djokovic arrives within the paddock.
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group, Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Group with Novak Djokovic
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group, Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Group with Novak Djokovic
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group, Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Group with Novak Djokovic
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group, Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Group with Novak Djokovic
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
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Drivers’ parade
Drivers’ parade
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Isack Hadjar, Pink Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar, Pink Bull Racing
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Flavio Briatore, Alpine
Flavio Briatore, Alpine
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Flavio Briatore, Alpine
Flavio Briatore, Alpine
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Group
Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Group
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Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Group
Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Group
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Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Group
Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Group
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Group, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Group, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Group, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Group, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Group, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
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Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Group, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Group, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Group
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Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
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Followers
Followers
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Group
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Group
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Mark Thompson / Getty Photos
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Andy Hone/ LAT Photos through Getty Photos
The Ferrari crew gathered on the podium ceremony
The Ferrari crew gathered on the podium ceremony
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos through Getty Photos
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Learn Additionally:
Who slept finest final evening: Frederic Vasseur
What had been the probabilities of Hamilton profitable in Barcelona with out the digital security automobile?
Lewis Hamilton’s Barcelona GP win a “center finger” to doubters – Lando Norris
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