Lewis Hamilton triumphs in Barcelona for the first time in a Ferrari – with a little help from a virtual safety car. Kimi Antonelli is very unlucky.
Deeply moved, Lewis Hamilton briefly fell to his knees after his first Formula 1 triumph in a Ferrari, then he let almost everyone in the finish line hug him. After a test of patience of 686 days, the record world champion won another Grand Prix in Barcelona, his first time doing so for the Scuderia.
“There’s simply nothing better,” said the 41-year-old after his 106th race win in the premier class. “They were all special, but this one is something extraordinary.” Even as a child, he always imagined what it would feel like to win in a Ferrari.
Russell and Norris in second and third place
With a little help from a virtual safety car, Hamilton relegated his former Mercedes stablemate George Russell to second place. World champion Lando Norris came third in a McLaren – so three Brits were on the podium.
World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli retired shortly before the end after five wins in a row due to a technical defect. In the seventh World Cup round of the season, for the first time, no Silver Arrow crossed the finish line first.
Hülkenberg unlucky
The next frustrating experience was for Nico Hülkenberg. The Audi driver had secured his best starting position of the year in ninth place, but had to retire before half the race due to technical problems.
The Rhinelander is still waiting for his first World Cup points for the German car manufacturer’s factory team.
Russell in the 100th Mercedes racing first in front
For the first time this season, the 19-year-old high-flyer Antonelli missed the front row of the grid for a Grand Prix. In the thrilling qualifying he had to settle for third place.
For Russell, pole position for his 100th Grand Prix in the Mercedes should be the long-awaited boost after he had recently been increasingly left behind by his young team rival. Russell defended his lead through the first few corners and after the first pit stop.
Safety car helps Hamilton
The race increasingly developed into a game of strategy chess. Hamilton, who started on soft tires, got fresh tires for the second time on lap 28, followed a three-stop tactic and wanted to attack at the end.
At the front, Antonelli caught up with Russell, but couldn’t get past. The Mercedes engineers warned their drivers on the radio against careless maneuvers. In Canada, both had fought a tough duel for the lead before Russell retired.
After the Mercedes drivers’ second pit stop, things suddenly tilted in Hamilton’s favor. Old master Fernando Alonso had to park his Aston Martin with a defect in what was probably his last visit to Barcelona. The field was slowed down by a virtual safety car.
Antonelli’s overtaking maneuver against Russell unrewarded
Hamilton took the opportunity to drive to the garage again – and then remained first. “You’re at the front,” reported the box to the 41-year-old. “Good job, guys,” he thanked him. An investigation into a possible offense under a yellow warning flag also had no consequences for the record champion.
With fresh tires and a Ferrari that was super fast this time, Hamilton hurried away. The Mercedes drivers could no longer follow. Antonelli squeezed past Russell with a few laps to go, but stopped a short time later.