Hamilton matches Schumacher's Ferrari feat after 30 years: 'I wanted to be red like Michael'

In 1996, the German accepted the challenge of bringing the world title back to Maranello after winning back-to-back championships with Benetton in the previous two seasons. Although the title would not arrive until five years later, Schumacher made history with Ferrari at Barcelona, claiming his first victory for the Scuderia in torrential rain at Montmeló with the F310 - a car that had so far proved unable to match the pace of Williams throughout the season.

Schumacher qualified third, but the treacherous conditions brought out the very best of his talent. He quickly dispatched both Williams drivers and proceeded to set a relentless string of fastest laps, building a huge advantage before taking the chequered flag 45 seconds clear of second-placed Jean Alesi. Such was his dominance that he lapped every driver up to fourth place.

Reflecting on the remarkable coincidence after being reminded of Schumacher's achievement, Hamilton described the victory as the first chapter of his own Ferrari story. The seven-time world champion revealed he had only just learned that Schumacher's maiden Ferrari win at Barcelona had come exactly 30 years earlier, recalling how, as a 12-year-old, he would have been watching that race from home and dreaming about what it might feel like to sit in the cockpit of the iconic red car. Hamilton admitted that, even back then, Schumacher's Ferrari had captured his imagination and inspired thoughts of one day driving for the Scuderia himself.

Speaking to Sky Sports in Barcelona, Jacques Villeneuve suggested Ferrari could soon face an uncomfortable dilemma between its present and its future. While the team recently reaffirmed its commitment to Charles Leclerc with a long-term deal, the Canadian noted that it is Lewis Hamilton who is currently delivering the results and scoring the points needed to stay in touch with the championship battle.

Villeneuve argued that Hamilton remains firmly in the hunt for the title, whereas Leclerc has slipped further behind following a difficult run of races. In his view, that difference in championship position could eventually force Ferrari to reconsider its priorities as the season unfolds. Should the fight against Mercedes remain close in the coming months, Villeneuve believes Ferrari may have little choice but to throw its full weight behind the driver with the strongest chance of bringing home the championship, even if that risks creating tension within the team.