For a very long time, the race appeared to be heading the way in which of one of many Mercedes drivers, as Russell transformed his pole place right into a lead from Hamilton and Antonelli at the beginning and the 2 raced in that order for nearly the primary half of the race.
The divergent methods of the three automobiles grew to become obvious as quickly as Hamilton pitted on lap 11 to alter his tender tyres.
Russell and Antonelli had began on the medium compound, however Mercedes selected to carry them in after Hamilton to guard monitor place, although the crew’s radio communications made it apparent they knew they have been on a special technique.
When Hamilton pitted for a second time on lap 27, Antonelli started to stress Russell for the lead, closing proper up on his team-mate and making an attempt a few instances to cross into Flip One.
However the two drivers have been warned to not waste an excessive amount of time combating, within the context of their battle with Hamilton.
Russell stopped for a closing time on lap 36, Antonelli a lap later, handing the result in Hamilton, who nonetheless had one cease to make.
Hamilton’s job initially seemed prefer it was to lose as little time as potential to the advancing Mercedes on their more energizing tyres, earlier than pitting, dropping to 3rd, and making an attempt to catch them once more.
However Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin broke down at Flip 9 on lap 40, and that led to a VSC being deployed to recuperate the automotive safely.
Below a VSC, automobiles should decelerate and preserve their gaps, however as they’re travelling slower, it means a pit cease prices comparatively much less time than below racing situations.
Hamilton had a 14-second lead, and that was sufficient margin to cease below the VSC and are available out nonetheless in entrance.
It put him in a robust place, out entrance and with tyres that have been eight laps more energizing. Solely an issue now may price him a victory and the automotive ran like clockwork to the top for Ferrari’s first victory since Mexico 2024.
There have been two small ironies. Hamilton’s win was Ferrari’s first in Spain since 2013, when the person who delivered it was Alonso, whose retirement prompted the VSC that delivered this subsequent one to his previous arch-rival.
And the post-race interviews have been carried out by Nico Rosberg, Hamilton’s former Mercedes team-mate, with whom he had additionally had an acrimonious relationship after they have been in the identical crew – and 10 years since the pair crashed together on the primary lap of this race when competing for the title.
