'Hamilton's incredible Barcelona win is “Exactly what we need” for title fight'

After Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin triggered a Virtual Safety Car in Barcelona, Hamilton pitted for a set of hard tyres and did not look back. The British driver steadily built a gap over the Mercedes drivers and went on to win comfortably on Sunday. This was Hamilton’s first victory since the 2024 British Grand Prix, and Ferrari’s first since Carlos Sainz won in Mexico City two seasons ago.

Meanwhile, the current championship leader, Antonelli, was forced to retire from the race while running in second place due to a mechanical issue with his Mercedes. As a result, Hamilton not only gained seven points on the young Italian, but 25 points in total.

The Mercedes CEO and team principal would rather not battle Hamilton for the world title, as the Austrian exactly knows what his former driver is capable of. Speaking to GPblog, among others, after the race, he said: "I'd rather not fight with him for a title. I'm not fine with him for a title because I know what he's capable of. If he smells blood, he goes. I've seen it many years where suddenly the train, the Lewis Hamilton train, started to go and then it's very difficult to stop it.

Wolff also praised Hamilton. "He's worked so hard. And has gone through so many difficult moments, particularly last year, that wholeheartedly I'm happy for him that he's won. I always said it's not ours to win, then it should be Lewis. And he merited that today. Of course, you can say a VSC maybe came at the right time, but that's what it is. Happy for Fred (Vasseur) also, who had a tough time, he's my friend, even if he annoys me sometimes. Or even if we annoy each other sometimes. But the pressure running Ferrari is enormous, and that's why I'm happy and relieved for him, and it's something that is close to my heart."