2026 F1 Spanish Grand Prix Recap

By Ryan Wu

The legends find a way. After 31 races and an entire 2025 season without a podium, Lewis Hamilton added to his Formula 1 record with the 106th win of his career and the first for the Scuderia. He became the first non-Mercedes driver to win a race this season. Hamilton was joined by George Russell and Lando Norris who took the remaining podium places, recovering nicely from two straight DNFs in his last two races.

Race Recap

Russell started the race from pole position and came under immediate pressure from Hamilton on the opening lap, while Championship leader Antonelli followed closely behind.

Hadjar, who qualified sixth, dropped all the way to 13th on the first lap after a poor start but quickly began recovering positions. He ultimately finished where he started, continuing a strong run of form. The French driver has now finished sixth or better in each of the last three races.

At the front, tire choice and race strategy proved crucial. Ferrari committed to a three-stop strategy, with Hamilton pitting on laps 11 and 27, while his Mercedes rivals opted for a longer second stint. The strategy allowed Hamilton to carve through the field at a pace roughly two seconds per lap quicker than the Silver Arrows. He made quick work of Oscar Piastri and became the net race leader on lap 29.

The two Mercedes drivers were engaged in a fierce battle on lap 33, which undoubtedly allowed their pursuers to gain valuable time. Russell made his final stop on lap 36, with Antonelli following a lap later, allowing Hamilton to move ahead of both drivers.

A timely virtual safety car, triggered by a Fernando Alonso retirement, allowed Hamilton to make his third and final stop on lap 41 without losing time to Russell. He emerged from the pit lane as the race leader just before the virtual safety car period ended.

Antonelli made a bold move into Turn 1 on lap 61 to take second place from Russell, a move that appeared to further damage the British driver's championship hopes. Unfortunately for the young Italian, his car lost power shortly afterward. At nearly the same time, Charles Leclerc suffered a power steering failure while running sixth, forcing both drivers to retire from the race.

Hamilton then cruised to victory, finishing more than 19 seconds ahead of Russell. Over the radio, an emotional Hamilton celebrated the win, finally answering the question of when he would claim his first victory with Ferrari.

Racing Refresh Driver of the Day

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Final Points Finishing Positions (Provisionally)

1st:  Lewis Hamilton

2nd: George Russell

3rd: Lando Norris

4th: Max Verstappen

5th: Oscar Piastri

6th: Isack Hadjar

7th: Pierre Gasly

8th: Liam Lawson

9th: Arvid Lindblad

10th: Franco Colapinto

Next on the F1 Schedule:

Austrian Grand Prix: June 26th-28th