Hamilton ends Ferrari wait with emotional Barcelona victory to close on Antonelli

Lewis Hamilton ended his wait for a first Ferrari victory by winning the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, the seventh round of the Formula 1 season, closing to within 41 points of championship leader Kimi Antonelli in the process.

The result marks a significant turnaround for the 40-year-old, who endured a difficult debut campaign with the Scuderia in 2025. This season has shown a steadier upward curve — a third place in China, runner-up finishes in Canada and Monaco — before Sunday’s breakthrough in Spain delivered the win that silenced a growing chorus of doubt.

Hamilton responded to the result with a lengthy and candid post on social media, addressing both the Tifosi and his wider fanbase directly.

“DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE,” he wrote. “I can’t begin to describe how amazing it feels to finally win in red. Grazie mille, Scuderia Ferrari. For the hard work from everyone here today in Barcelona and back in Maranello. The passion and dedication to progress is paying off and this is only the beginning.”

He went on to acknowledge the personal toll of a difficult period. “To all the fans, this win is for you. I could not have made it to this moment without the support from you all. You’ve stuck by me. There have been dark times, times where the negativity won out and I felt useless and hope felt impossible. You all told me to remember. To remember to fight, to remember to keep going. To remember who I am. This win is just as much yours as it is mine. Thank you, Team LH, thank you, Tifosi. Let’s keep it going.”

In the drivers’ standings, Antonelli leads on 156 points, with Hamilton second on 115 and George Russell third on 106. The next round is the Austrian Grand Prix, scheduled for 26 to 28 June.