Lewis Hamilton secured his maiden victory for Ferrari in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, ending a long drought with a three-stop strategy that capitalized on a virtual safety car. The seven-time champion now trails championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 41 points while holding a 40-point lead over teammate Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton's win marked his 106th career victory and came after a strong performance from the upgraded Ferrari car. Leclerc retired from the race following a qualifying crash and power steering failure.
Team reactions highlighted internal dynamics. Jacques Villeneuve argued Ferrari should prioritize Hamilton for any 2026 title push, noting Leclerc's position leaves little choice. Juan Pablo Montoya described the result as an opportunity for Leclerc to observe Hamilton's championship approach.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff indicated possible future team orders after Antonelli and George Russell lost time fighting each other. Fred Vasseur dismissed immediate title discussions, insisting the focus remains on consistent development ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
