McLaren driver Lando Norris has praised Lewis Hamilton following the seven-time world champion’s dominant victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, a result that has reshaped the competitive landscape of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Norris, who finished third in Barcelona, described Hamilton’s recent performances as a clear step forward. “I think it’s pretty cool. It’s pretty special. It’s nice. The last few weekends he’s certainly seemed to have upped his game. It seems like he’s making the most of what he’s got now and that’s cool to see,” Norris said. His comments reflect a growing respect among rivals as Hamilton appears to have found a strong rhythm with Ferrari.
Hamilton’s victory in Barcelona was his first since joining Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, a transfer that shook the sport to its core. The win was not merely a result of a faster car; it was a strategic masterclass. Ferrari placed Hamilton on an aggressive three-stop strategy, and a virtual safety car period allowed him to gain track position. From that moment, he was uncatchable. He crossed the line 20 seconds ahead of George Russell, his former Mercedes teammate, marking the largest winning margin of the season. For the first time in his career, Hamilton lifted a Grand Prix trophy dressed in Ferrari red, realizing a childhood dream.
The context of Hamilton’s performance makes Norris’s words carry significant weight. Telemetry data from the race showed Hamilton carrying speeds through corners that Russell simply could not match, including being 30 km/h faster through turn nine alone. Hamilton’s lap time standard deviation was among the lowest in the field, indicating metronomic precision. Russell, by comparison, was considerably less consistent. The data backs up Norris’s observation that Hamilton has upped his game. The victory ended a wait of nearly two years for Hamilton and confirmed that the Ferrari era under his leadership is no longer a project but a genuine contender.
The Barcelona Grand Prix also delivered a dramatic outcome for championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver, who entered the weekend with a 68-point advantage, suffered a power unit failure on lap 62 of 66 while running in second place. The retirement handed the runner-up spot to his teammate Russell, while Norris completed the podium. Antonelli, who had spent the majority of the race behind Russell before making a decisive pass, was left feeling emotionally empty. “I feel a bit empty, to be fair, right now,” he told Sky F1. “But it is what it is. Races are like this, and it comes and goes.”
Antonelli’s retirement has sparked reliability concerns at Mercedes, as a similar battery-related issue caused Russell’s DNF in Montreal two races prior. Mercedes have confirmed that an initial investigation found the battery had suffered heat damage prior to failure, suggesting a systemic issue. Despite the setback, Antonelli remained measured. He acknowledged that he had not been at his best all weekend and took responsibility for qualifying third. Looking ahead to the Austrian Grand Prix on the 26th of June, he said, “It’s important that we lose. Reliability is not the best bit right now. I’m already looking forward to the next one because I really want to go back to where we left off.”
The championship picture has shifted significantly. Antonelli still leads the standings, but Hamilton has closed the gap from 68 points to 41 points in a single afternoon. Ferrari’s upgrade package has moved the car forward, particularly in tire wear, an area where the team was previously weak. However, the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring presents a different challenge. The circuit is much more power-hungry, a profile that suits the Mercedes power unit considerably more. Red Bull are rumored to be bringing an upgrade package, and early forecasts suggest a wet race weekend, which could favor Ferrari’s downforce and Hamilton’s wet-weather ability. The next few races will determine whether Barcelona was a one-off swing or the moment the 2026 championship truly turned.
