Hamilton wins Barcelona GP as Antonelli’s title hopes collapse

Hamilton wins – Lewis Hamilton clinched a landmark Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix victory for Ferrari, ending 40 races without a win. Kimi Antonelli’s weekend unraveled with a late breakdown, handing Hamilton the chance to break Mercedes’ six-race podium dominance and cut the

On a day when the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix needed one decisive shift, Lewis Hamilton delivered it with the timing of a title contender and the relief of a man who has waited for this feeling to return.

Hamilton crossed the finish line more than 19 seconds ahead of George Russell to win for Ferrari, his first victory since the Belgian GP in July 2024—when he was still driving for Mercedes. It was also his record 106th career win, and it came after a run of 40 races without victory.

“This one is something else,” Hamilton said after the race, reflecting on what it means to win in a Ferrari after watching the team’s success during his younger years and wondering “what it would be like.”

The race unfolded with precision up front. Hamilton launched from pole sitter George Russell’s shadow after leveraging fresher tires and what Ferrari executed as a superior pitstop strategy. Russell, in his Mercedes, finished second.

Behind them, the momentum that had carried Antonelli toward glory suddenly snapped. Antonelli had passed his Mercedes teammate earlier in the race, then built on it with a streak of five consecutive wins. But with just four laps remaining, his car came to a stop on the track.

Hamilton’s win also ended a Mercedes grip on the top step of the podium that had lasted six races. For Ferrari. it was a milestone in a season that had started with frustration—Hamilton arriving at this moment after a miserable 2025 with the Italian team. when he didn’t finish on the podium and only celebrated a sprint race win.

The turnaround had been taking shape race by race. After earlier runner-up finishes at Canada and Monaco, Hamilton said he had laid the “foundation” with Ferrari heading into Barcelona, after qualifying second behind Antonelli for the race.

Ferrari made the key strategic bet. opting for a three-stop plan designed to keep Hamilton on fresher tires on a circuit known for chewing through rubber. The track temperatures were 50 degrees C. With the quicker wheels. Hamilton slipped ahead of Russell—who. like Antonelli. was on a two-stop strategy—when luck and timing tilted in Ferrari’s favor.

A stoppage involving Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin brought out a virtual safety car. Ferrari used that window by calling Hamilton in for his final stop while rivals couldn’t push the pace. When the race resumed, Hamilton emerged in the lead on a fresh set of tires.

Russell tried to hold off what was chasing him. Antonelli and Russell had already jousted earlier in the race, and when Antonelli swept past with four laps to go, Russell’s task became even narrower: protect the position from the driver who had been running through the season like a wave.

Then it all unraveled. Antonelli’s car stalled moments later, ending his chance at those crucial 18 points.

At the top of the championship, Antonelli still leads with 156 points, but Hamilton has closed the gap. Hamilton now has 115, with Russell on 106—proof of how quickly a season can be reshaped when one late breakdown hits at the wrong moment.

The rest of the field delivered its own storylines. Defending world champion Lando Norris finished third in his McLaren, ahead of Max Verstappen for Red Bull in fourth. Oscar Piastri, who won here last year, took fifth in the other McLaren.

Hamilton later stood on his car, pumped his fist, and sprinted to leap into the arms of the engineers and pit crew who helped make the long wait feel real again—Ferrari’s home victory, finally delivered.

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Barcelona GP Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix Kimi Antonelli George Russell F1 results Montmelo Lando Norris Max Verstappen Oscar Piastri