Formula 1 LIVE: Lewis Hamilton wins maiden GP with Ferrari; Heartbreak for Kimi Antonelli after car failure

Lewis Hamilton last won a Formula 1 Grand Prix on July 28, 2024, at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion has won 105 grand prix in his extraordinary career, but has been in a drought ever since moving to Ferrari – one of the biggest moves in F1 history.

Today, Hamilton broke that drought winning the Barcelona-Catalunya GP and triumphing over Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Aided by strong pitstop strategy and a fortuitous virtual safety car, Hamilton led for nearly half the race and cruised to victory.

“Ciao grazie, thank you so much for helping me achieve this dream,” a euphoric Hamilton said over the radio.

However, it was a heartbreaking finish for championship leader Kimi Antonelli who had to retire with three laps to go. The youngster had snatched second place from his teammate George Russell, but suffered engine issues and spluttered on to the grass.

His retirement’s grants crucial points to title rival George Russell who finished second with Lando Norris in second.

It was a miserable day for Oscar Piastri who finished in fifth after struggling with pace. Piastri would have finished in seventh (the same place he started the race) but was aided by Antonelli and Leclerc’s last-minute retirements.

Lewis Hamilton last won a Formula 1 Grand Prix on July 28, 2024, at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion has won 105 grand prix in his extraordinary career, but has been in a drought ever since moving to Ferrari – one of the biggest moves in F1 history.

Today, Hamilton broke that drought winning the Barcelona-Catalunya GP and triumphing over Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Aided by strong pitstop strategy and a fortuitous virtual safety car, Hamilton led for nearly half the race and cruised to victory.

Oh my.

The world championship leader Kimi Antonelli is out of the race. After executing a sensational overtake on his teammate George Russell, the young italian’s car splutters and falters.

He goes on to the grass and stops. This is absolute heartbreak for the young Mercedes driver. He will come away with zero points and his teammate and rival Russell, will snatch second place and coveted points.

Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also loses power.

Russell is trying to fend off his teammate Kimi Antonelli who is lunging at him. The two almost push each other into the grass.

Then Antonelli goes for the kill. He moves in and snatches the lead.

He might be 41-year-old, but Hamilton is showing absolutely no signs of fatigue. He’s built a 13-second lead and is cruising to victory.

Eights laps to go and Hamilton has built a bigger lead – around nine seconds.

Unless something catastrophic happens, the Brit looks close to victory. Now the battle has turned to second place. Russell desperately needs to hold on to second place to claw back points in his championship deficit to Antonelli.

Meanwhile, we’ve just heard a snippet of McLaren’s radio. They tell Lando Norris they’ve reported Antonelli for exceeding track limits more than three times. If that’s true, Antonelli might incur a five-second penalty and Norris might be able to snatch a podium spot.

Lap 48/66:

Lewis Hamilton has 18 laps to go and is still in front. He is absolutely flying and is much quicker than the Mercedes duo.

Russell is close behind him, followed by Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris in fourth. Aussie Oscar Piastri is still marooned in seventh – the same place where he started.

That safety car has been a gift from the heavens.

Ferrari have called Lewis Hamilton in for a third and final pitstop. The team executed it perfectly and Hamilton emerges in front.

Lewis Hamilton has never won a Grand Prix in red, however he was won sprint races.

George Russell has elbowed his way past Charles Leclerc to snatch second place and is chasing lewis Hamilton for the lead.

This is set to be a really thrilling conclusion.

Wait!

Cameras have just quickly cut to Fernando Alonso who is in the grass. His retirement triggers a yellow flag and a virtual safety car.

Lewis Hamilton has taken the lead of the race, however both Russell and Antonelli have pitted.

With a speedy 2.8 second pit stop, Russell comes out ahead of Lando Norris. We are at Lap 39 and Hamilton has a lead of 14ish seconds.

He still needs to pit again, so the Brit will need to build a bigger gap to hold his lead.