Red Redemption: Lewis Snaps Mercedes Streak

The Barcelona-Catalonia Grand Prix. A track that has seen years of rivalries, successes and failures– Hamilton versus Rosberg, Verstappen and Ricciardo. With Ferrari bringing 8 upgrades to their car this race, will it be enough to overcome the unprecedented power of Mercedes?

Race Start

After a gruelling qualifying, George Russell was able to snatch pole position from the championship leader. While Mercedes had a successful Saturday session, the likes of Ferrari and Leclerc weren't so lucky when qualifying in P10. With the majority of the grid favouring medium tyres and some going for soft, the two Aston Martins have opted for the C3 hard compound tyres in hopes of making a recovery drive from the very back of the grid.

With the sun blazing on the track, engines revving, and red lights going out. George Russell hits the gas and blocks Hamilton from gaining an advantage in the first corner. The power of the Mercedes is seemingly unparalleled in comparison to Hamilton's red Ferrari, as by lap two, he's 1.5 seconds ahead. At the other end of the timing sheets, Charles Leclerc had a better start than his teammate, gaining 3 places on the first lap, a much-needed positive after the previous qualifying. He safely overtook Hadjar’s Red Bull, who suffered from wheel spin and drifted across the asphalt.

Further down, both Cadillac and the aforementioned Aston Martin drivers failed to climb the timings.

Lap 6 

Lap six sees back runner Lance Stroll, heading into the pits with blue smoke emitting from his Aston. It was later stated that the real issue was caused by a gearbox issue. An unfortunate sight for the team and not the last of their issues in this race.

Lap 8

An intense battle between Piastri and Leclerc ensues. With Leclerc in the Australians wing mirrors, he pulls out from behind, going side-by-side through corners 2 and 3.

Pit Stop Pressures

Ferrari called in seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton for fresh tyres, switching to the hard compound. This move places the top teams of Red Bull and Mercedes under pressure not to be undercut later on in the race with a suspected three-stop strategy.  Lawson follows suit, however, with a small hiccup on the rear right tyre, increasing his time stationary in the pits

Next in was George Russell and Max Verstappen, following up on Hamilton's domino effect pitstop. As Verstappen comes out 6th, Russell stays ahead of his former British teammate.

Lap 15, Antonelli comes into the pits in response to his teammate and rivals. However, unlike fellow drivers, Leclerc seeks to postpone his stop with hopes of building the gap between himself and Oscar Piastri. Lap 17, he finally comes in for a change of tyres and by the skin of his teeth is ahead of his opponent with a +1.5 second gap. With cooler tyres, Leclerc manages to maintain his lead as he exits the pit lane.

Team Orders and Retirements

On lap 20, Colapinto is asked to switch positions as they head into turn 10 in hopes that Gasly will climb the standings outside the dirty air emitting from Colapinto’s Alpine, much to the Argentinian’s disdain.

True to Russell's prediction, Hamilton pits again and sees him re-entering the race in 7th behind Oscar Piastri. Hamilton speeds around the outside on fresh tyres, leaving the papaya team behind– this race not falling in favour of the Australian. Hamilton's unique strategy leaves Mercedes vulnerable. However, the Silver Arrows are both fighting for the victory, ignorant of the pressures behind, Mercedes needs to make a decision on how to compete with Ferrari.

Joining the two other retirements in Nico Hulkenberg. As he sits in his pit box, Hulkenberg’s engine fails to start. And it's another retirement for the maiden team.

Pitstop strategies

The only barrier that stood between Hamilton and the podium was Lando Norris, and with the McLaren swerving into the pits, it eliminates the issue of extra tyre degradation for the prancing Ferrari. Mercedes finally answered Ferrari's strategy and sent Russell into the garages on lap 37; with a pitstop of 2.7 seconds, he came out behind both Ferraris– a lap later, and he would have been behind Norris and fighting with Verstappen.

Championship leader, Antonelli, hands over the lead to car number 44 as he too decides to change tyres. Ferrari locked out the front row with a +15 second lead separating Hamilton and Leclerc– this gap is vital if Ferrari wants to maintain the lead and complete their 3 stop strategy.

It's lap 40, and Leclerc goes into the pits when the cameras cut to Fernando Alonso parked on the grass in his home race. 

As the yellow flag turned, a Virtual Safety Car was brought out, Redbull were quick to react by bringing Verstappen in, followed by Oliver Bearman. This also saw Alex Albon sit in his garage due to a camera provided by Formula One, which had reportedly loosened, who had been experiencing a disappointing race week. Albon reenters the track, but prospects are not optimistic for the Thai driver as he falls +8 laps behind.

A virtual safety car means that teams can shave off an estimated +12 seconds in comparison to a normal pit stop, and with a +20 second gap separating them from Mercedes, it's a perfect time for him to maintain track position. Lewis Hamilton exits the pit lane in front of Russell, coinciding with the ending of the VSC. Only smiles can be seen from the Ferrari garage as luck shines on them.

On new tyres and clean air, Hamilton steams ahead of the rest– extending the initial gap by +4 seconds. By lap 55, it was an astonishing 10 seconds. 

Just outside of the podium, Norris is creeping up to Antonelli, who has been handed three strikes from the FIA, caused by exceeding track limits. Conscious of the ever-closing gap to the Ferrari, Antonelli expresses his ability to go faster with his engineers and vocalises the prospect of switching himself with Russell. 

The radio of the current reigning champion, Lando Norris, emphasises the need to stay close to the young driver in hopes of Antonelli being handed a 5-second penalty for his previous infringements. 

The two Mercedes go side by side in turn one, and Antonelli cuts in behind his teammate, giving up the position. Not wanting to hand it over so easily, both drivers battled, but ultimately it was Antonelli's Mercedes that took charge when exiting turn 4. 

Last Lap Letdowns and Triumphs

With four laps to go, it was heartbreak for Antonelli. The Italian driver was seen slowing down at an alarming rate at the exit of turn 5. The reasoning becomes apparent that his sudden stop was caused by a power issue. 

Just a few corners behind him, hopes faded for Leclerc also. Quick on the radio, the Monegasque reports a loss of power steering and hydraulic issues. His scarlet Ferrari trudges across the gravel and makes his way into the pits for the final time this race.

Another Virtual Safety Car ensues, providing another opportunity for Ferrari to pit Hamilton for soft tyres, offering a competitive end against Russell; choosing the safer option, he stays on the tarmac to solidify his lead.

It's the last lap and the safety car ends, Lewis Hamilton is on route to secure his maiden win for Ferrari. With no pressure from behind, it's a well-earned win for the seven-time world champion.

Rounding off the all-British podium was George Russell and Lando Norris– unexpected for fans and himself. After facing an obvious deficit in pace compared to the other teams, it leaves McLaren with a lot of work if they wish to be front-running again.