Breaking: Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari ROAR back at Spanish Grand Prix after M…read more
Hamilton and Ferrari Rebound at the Spanish Grand Prix After Mercedes Setback
Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari made a powerful statement at the start of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, with both Hamilton and team-mate Charles Leclerc pulling off impressive moves to get ahead of George Russell. The Ferrari duo made strong gains in the opening lap, while Russell and his Mercedes partner, rookie Kimi Antonelli, slipped down the order, finishing the first lap in sixth and seventh respectively.
Mercedes entered the weekend already battling concerns over their lack of pace and ongoing tyre management struggles in the soaring Spanish heat. With tyre degradation expected to be a major factor in the race, a strong start was crucial — and unfortunately for the Silver Arrows, that did not go their way.
Up front, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen once again showcased his racecraft by overtaking McLaren’s Lando Norris on lap one, while Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri made a clean getaway and led the early charge in what looked to be a thrilling three-way contest for victory.
Hamilton, who managed to outqualify Leclerc for only the second time since the Brit joined Ferrari, initially appeared to be in strong form. His electric start placed him right behind Norris in the early fight for third place, raising hopes of a podium finish. However, that early momentum didn’t last long.
Within just nine laps, Hamilton had lost significant ground to Norris, trailing by five seconds. At the same time, Leclerc was closely shadowing his team-mate, clearly possessing better pace. In response, Ferrari issued team orders, instructing Hamilton to let Leclerc through so he could chase down the front-runners. The move underlined Hamilton’s continued struggles adapting to Ferrari’s race-day setups, despite occasional qualifying successes.
This strategic switch highlighted Ferrari’s intent to remain aggressive in the title fight, even if it meant prioritizing Leclerc in the short term. It also underscored Hamilton’s ongoing difficulties this season, as he continues to adjust to life at Ferrari following his high-profile departure from Mercedes — a team now facing performance questions of their own.
The early laps in Barcelona promised a gripping battle among the top contenders — Piastri, Verstappen, and Norris — while the Ferrari camp showed signs of resurgence. Yet, for Hamilton, the race served as another reminder that while the pace is there in flashes, consistency remains elusive in the red car.
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