Hamilton returned to the top step of the podium, for the first time since the Belgian GP in July 28, 2024, producing a standout drive that ended Mercedes’ strong early-season run at the front of the field.
Ferrari’s latest upgrade package proved decisive at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, suddenly putting them into genuine contention against the previously dominant Mercedes pace.
The win also marked a turning point in what had been a difficult debut campaign for Hamilton at Ferrari in 2025, with the seven-time world champion often struggling to extract consistent performance from the car. In Spain, however, everything came together at the right time.
Speaking after the race, Verstappen was quick to acknowledge his rival’s milestone moment.
“Well done, congratulations,” Verstappen said. “It’s always super special to win, even when you’ve won already so much. To win with Ferrari for the first time, it’s always a special moment.”
For Verstappen, the race itself was far less straightforward. Red Bull again lacked the outright pace needed to challenge at the front, leaving the Dutchman to fight in the midfield battle for much of the afternoon. He eventually finished fourth, helped slightly by late retirements for Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli.
Reflecting on Red Bull’s struggles, Verstappen pointed to specific weaknesses in their package.
“For sure a little bit high speed, but that was not even in qualifying the big problem,” he explained. “It’s just high energy tracks, high degradation, that’s where we seem to lack still.”
