The great and the good within Formula 1, as well as outside the sport, offered their congratulations after Lewis Hamilton took his first Grand Prix victory for Ferrari in Barcelona.
The seven-time world champion achieved victory at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for almost 20 seconds after using a three-stop strategy in sweltering conditions.
The victory was hamiltonIt’s the first on Sunday since he joined the Scuderia in early 2025 and, at the age of 41, makes him the oldest Grand Prix winner since Jack Brabham in 1970.
Unsurprisingly, his competitors were quick to offer praise after Hamilton endured a difficult first season with ferraribut so far in 2026 his form appears to have changed impressively.
After being runner-up in Barcelona, George Russell He was the first to congratulate his ex mercedes teammate and the pair spent three seasons together.
“A big congratulations to this guy because I know how hard he works,” said Russell, who led the early stages of Sunday’s race. “We spent many years together at Mercedes, so I’m very happy to see him again as the Lewis I remember as a child watching Formula 1.”
Reigning world champion Lando Norris completed the podium for McLaren and also praised Hamilton for his performance.
“Lewis dominated today, I think he would have won the race no matter what,” he said.
“I’m very happy for him, it’s good to see him on the podium. It’s good to see that it was an all-British podium since 1968. A great podium to be up there with George and Lewis, mainly Lewis because he’s a good guy to be up there with and it’s a great experience.”
Retiring from the race in the closing stages after passing Russell for P2, the championship leader. Kimi Antonelli Another was the one who offered his congratulations despite his own disappointment, greeting the man he replaced in the Silver Arrows.
“I’m very happy for Lewis because he’s been chasing that first victory with Ferrari for so long, and I’m very happy that he achieved it,” said the Italian teenager, who leads Hamilton by 41 points in the standings. drivers positions.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen He himself reacted on social networks saying: “Congratulations Lewis Hamilton, first victory in red”, while the Haas driver Ollie Bearman He also posted “Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton on the win, love seeing the all British podium.”
Hamilton’s teammate at Ferrari Carlos Leclerc He also offered his congratulations despite a difficult weekend, which ended with a late retirement due to a hydraulic problem.
“Huge congratulations to Lewis, who’s been at this for quite a while and has been incredible,” he said. “And a big congratulations to the team who are pushing the updates enormously and we’re showing it now.”
There were further words of celebration and admiration for Hamilton from the Ferrari team, including Ferrari CEO John Elkann.
“Well done, Lewis, on your first big victory with Ferrari: an emotional moment and a very important result, which belongs to the whole team and all our fans,” he said.
“I would like to thank everyone for the determination, sacrifice and collective effort they demonstrate every day with passion and Ferrari spirit, both on the track and in Maranello.”
Team manager Fred Vasseur added: “It’s a good feeling. We had a year with ups and downs, so to win today and also have the race under control because I think he was able to fight for pole yesterday.”
“Today he handled the situation very well; as soon as we adjusted the strategy, he more or less pushed. He was very outstanding today.”
Hamilton’s former boss at Mercedes, Toto Wolff, also had a message for his former driver despite his team missing out on victory for the first time this year in a Grand Prix.
“I’m happy for him [Lewis]. At Ferrari he has waited a long time and worked very hard to return to the top of the podium. Today he deserved it.”
Hamilton’s victory even transcended sport, with celebrities and athletes commenting across social media.
Among others were Olympic gold medalist Denise Lewis, former tennis star Maria Sharapova, former English footballer Ian Wright, alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, British rapper AJ Tracey and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.