Lewis Hamilton secures maiden Ferrari victory in Barcelona, drawing widespread praise

Lewis Hamilton achieved a significant milestone in his Formula 1 career by taking his inaugural Grand Prix victory for Scuderia Ferrari at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The seven-time world champion crossed the finish line nearly 20 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor, having executed a successful three-stop strategy in challenging hot conditions.

This landmark win, Hamilton's first since joining Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season, also marks a historical achievement as he becomes the oldest Grand Prix winner since Jack Brabham in 1970 at the age of 41. The victory follows a challenging first year with the Italian team, with his 2026 performance showing a notable resurgence.

Competitors and colleagues were quick to acknowledge Hamilton's achievement. George Russell, his former Mercedes teammate, expressed his happiness: "Huge congrats to this guy because I know how hard he works... I’m really pleased to see him back to the Lewis I remember when I was growing up watching Formula 1." McLaren's Lando Norris, who finished second, added, "Lewis was dominant out there today... Nice to see it was an all-British podium since 1968." Championship leader Kimi Antonelli also congratulated Hamilton, noting how long the driver had been chasing this success.

Further accolades came from within the Ferrari organization. Teammate Charles Leclerc stated, "Huge congratulations to Lewis who has been on it for quite a bit and has been incredible," while Executive Chairman John Elkann called it "an emotional moment and a very important result, which belongs to the entire team." Team Principal Fred Vasseur praised Hamilton's race management, describing his performance as "outstanding."

Messages of support also extended beyond the sport, with notable figures from various fields, including Olympic gold medalist Denise Lewis and former tennis star Maria Sharapova, sharing their congratulations on social media.