Lewis Hamilton puts himself into title fight with first Ferrari victory

Lewis Hamilton puts himself into title fight with first Ferrari victory Last updated 14 June 2026 4:15pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Lewis Hamilton took his first win since 2024 and his first for Ferrari to close the gap on championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who retired Credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images Tom Cary Senior Sports Correspondent, in Barcelona. Luke Slater live updates Last updated 14 June 2026 4:15pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Lewis Hamilton claimed a brilliant and emotional first victory for Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, launching himself into the title race and sticking two fingers up at his detractors in the process. British drivers locked out the podium at a Formula One race for the first time since the 1968 US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, a race in which Sir Jackie Stewart led home Graham Hill and John Surtees. Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris finished second and third here after championship leader Kimi Antonelli was forced to retire from second place with five laps remaining. Three Britons stood on the podium for the first time in nearly 60 years Credit: Lluis Gene/Getty Images But the day belonged to Hamilton. The 41-year-old had his doubters in his debut season with the Scuderia last year. And, to be honest, in his final few seasons with Mercedes too. But the seven-time world champion has looked revitalised this year. And even though he needed the help of a Virtual Safety Car with 25 laps remaining to claim the lead from Russell, the speed at which he pulled away from the Mercedes after that suggested he would have won anyway. It was Hamilton’s first win in 686 days (since the 2024 Belgian GP), his first time crossing the line in first place in 707 days (since the 2024 British GP), and it leaves him 41 points behind Antonelli in second place in the championship. “Grazie tutti to everyone at Maranello,” an emotional Hamilton told his team over the radio as he returned his car to the pits. “I can’t thank you enough. I’m so proud of you. And to my family, I love you. And to my fans, thank you for reminding me who I am. I couldn’t have done this without you.” More to follow… Latest updates Tom Cary Senior Sports Correspondent, in Barcelona. Luke Slater live updates 4:04PM Updated constructor standings Link copied to clipboard Mercedes maintain a healthy lead but Ferrari increase their lead over McLaren.  4:02PM Updated driver standings Link copied to clipboard Hamilton cuts Antonelli’s lead to 41 points and Russell is now 50 points behind. Finally the luck that he needed, if not deserved. A three-way fight for the title? Perhaps... 3:57PM Hamilton celebrates Link copied to clipboard Credit: David Davies/PA Credit: Andy Hone/LAT Images 3:48PM Norris on a good podium Link copied to clipboard “We stayed there, we gave ourselves a chance if anything happened... but otherwise very happy for the team, very happy to be back on the podium. A good day for us.” He is asked what more they need to do to win: “A little bit of everything, I think,” he says.  3:47PM Russell speaks after a strong second Link copied to clipboard “I know how hard he [Hamilton] works and we spent a lot of years together at Mercedes, really pleased to see him back to the Lewis I saw when I was growing up watching Formula One. Yesterday was a real surprise for us in the team and the pace today was insane from Lewis, so yeah, they are coming, I think.” 3:45PM Hamilton speaks after his 106th GP win Link copied to clipboard He is a little out of breath... “First, I have to say a huge grazie to say everyone here, my team here at Ferrari, everyone back at the factory. I started out a dream last year but we never gave up hope and the team just continued to lift me up. We made so many changes and so many improvements. Thank you to everybody.  “They are all special in their own way but this one in something else. I watched Ferrari have all that success when I was younger... I wondered what it would be like to win in that car and it’s come. This is just the first I hope of many. The car felt fantastic and forza Ferrari.” 3:43PM Quite a turnaround from Ferrari Link copied to clipboard In Hamilton’s hands at least the Ferrari was a match for, in fact probably faster than Mercedes. McLaren have been left behind a bit, though Norris wasn’t a million miles off the pace.    3:39PM ⏱️Barcelona-Catalunya GP - Classification Link copied to clipboard HAM 25ptsRUS 18ptsNOR 15ptsVER 12ptsPIA 10ptsHAD 8ptsGAS 6ptsCOL 4ptsLAW 2ptsLIN 1pt 3:37PM 🏁LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GRAND PRIX! Link copied to clipboard His first win for Ferrari! I think an emotional one. Credit: Lluis Gene/Getty Images Russell in second, making up a crucial 18 points up on Antonelli. Norris a slightly fortunate but hard-earned podium. He kept with the front-runners well all race, never letting them get away. 3:36PM FINAL LAP Link copied to clipboard Hamilton might or might not win this by 20 seconds but it doesn’t matter. It has been a superb weekend from him, he has found his best form for the last few years... 3:34PM Lap 65 of 66 - VSC ends Link copied to clipboard Just a handful of corners for Hamilton to negotiate now.  It will be three Britons on the podium as it stands.  3:33PM Lap 64 of 66 - They are struggling to remove Antonelli’s car Link copied to clipboard There is a gap in the barriers but they are not doing a good job of threading it through. Not much steering lock and it looks uphill too... This race might end under non-racing conditions.  3:32PM Lap 63 of 66 - Order under the VSC Link copied to clipboard HAMRUSNORVERPIALECHADGASCOLLAWLeclerc is technically in sixth but has retired his car into the pits. Looks like we will get away with just a VSC rather than a full safety car.  3:30PM Lap 62 of 66 - ANTONELLI IS OUT! Link copied to clipboard Is Russell vulnerable to Norris behind? Perhaps? Antonelli has some of his front wing endplate loose on the right-hand side. Did the two Mercedes cars come together? ❌It doesn’t matter now because Antonelli has stopped on the track! It sounds like a gearbox or engine issue! He is out! Finally some luck for Russell. WAIT... MORE DRAMA!! Antonelli has slowed to a halt - he's out of the race! ❌#F1 #BarcelonaGP | LAP 63/66 pic.twitter.com/xKZ8GW9Fqg — Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026 🟨VSC is deployed... Leclerc goes off after losing the power steering. 3:28PM Lap 61 of 66 - Antonelli gets Russell for second! Link copied to clipboard Russell pushes him wide at turn one but he makes the move stuck. Russell tries to come back but he does not have the pace or the grip, it seems.  3:27PM Lap 60 of 66 - Is Antonelli going to go for this? Link copied to clipboard I wouldn’t put it past him... Norris is now 3.2sec behind and he will find it hard to make that time up unless they start fighting and losing time again.  Antonelli has driven a good race and looks to be the faster driver today... he gets overtake mode on the pit straight.  3:26PM Lap 59 of 66 - Hamilton could win this by 20sec Link copied to clipboard Hadjar pits from eighth but he had a big gap in which to do so. Antonelli now closer to Russell than ever... Timing of the VSC just about sums up Russell’s luck this season. But questionable whether he would have held Hamilton off. The 41-year-old’s pace has been excellent today. Barring calamity this is going to be an historic first win in Ferrari colours for the seven-time world champion. A first win in 686 days (2024 Belgian GP). His first time crossing the line first in 707 days (2024 British GP). And a massive two fingers up to his doubters. 3:24PM Lap 58 of 66 - Norris has backed off a bit Link copied to clipboard He might come back later on. Russell has had a fairly trying afternoon. Not the win he was hoping for but he might make up a few points on Antonelli if he can keep him behind.  13.5sec Hamilton leads by now.  3:23PM Lap 57 of 66 - Hamilton leads by 12.7sec Link copied to clipboard Antonelli is a second behind Russell, Norris is two seconds behind Antonelli.  Behind him are Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Hadjar, Gasly and Colapinto.  3:22PM Lap 56 of 66 - Hamilton has been on it all weekend Link copied to clipboard Motivated and fast, too. No doubt his finest weekend for Ferrari, but one of the finest in the last few years, too.  3:21PM Lap 55 of 66 - Hamilton leads Russell by 11.3sec Link copied to clipboard Hamilton’s last victory came in 2024 in Belgium. He is cruising to 106th now... 3:19PM Lap 54 of 66 - Hamilton leads Russell by 10.9sec Link copied to clipboard The Ferrari upgrades are working a treat. Mercedes have no answer for this. Norris is joining the battle for second, just behind Antonelli... Albon update:  Williams say Albon came in to the pits to “fix a loose camera”. A spokesperson adds: “The team has since made changes to his car and he will return to the Grand Prix as a testing session to gather more data.” 3:18PM Lap 53 of 66 - Penalty for Antonelli? Link copied to clipboard McLaren are watching him like a hawk and have gone to the FIA because they believe he has gone over limits more than three times. How will that pan out? Antonelli still on the back of Russell... 3:16PM Lap 52 of 66 - Top 10 and gaps Link copied to clipboard HAMRUS +9.6ANT +10.7NOR +11.8VER +12.0LEC +31.0PIA +41.8HAD +68.5GAS +1lapCOL +1lapRussell told to pick up the pace. Antonelli believes, correctly, that he has so much more pace.  3:15PM Lap 51 of 66 - Great pace from Hamilton Link copied to clipboard You have to ask the question, would he have had the pace even without the VSC? Perhaps, but it is hard to say given he would have been in dirty air behind two Mercedes cars. But the pace does look good.  Credit: David Davies/PA 3:14PM Lap 50 of 66 - Norris has a chance of a podium here Link copied to clipboard Antonelli will be given a five-second penalty if he exceeds track limits once more. Perhaps Norris could have a say in that. He charges and is now within 1.3sec of the Italian and championship leader.  Hamilton now leads by 8.8sec... 3:13PM Lap 49 of 66 - Albon is 10 laps down Link copied to clipboard I didn’t catch that but he stopped in the pit lane and is 10 laps down.  Hamilton, meanwhile, has extended his lead to 7.1sec. Antonelli is now within 1.5sec of Russell.  Norris doing a fine job, only 1.7sec behind Antonelli.  3:11PM Lap 48 of 66 - No further investigation for Hamilton Link copied to clipboard It sounds like he approached Alonso’s car just as the yellow flags came out... I am not sure Mercedes have an answer for this.  3:09PM Lap 47 of 66 - Four cars out of this race Link copied to clipboard Alonso, Hulkenberg, Bottas and Stroll. Albon is showing as retired and 10 laps down but he is still out there as far as I can see. Possibly a timing issue.  Hamilton stretches his lead further by nearly a second on this lap... 3:08PM Lap 46 of 66 - Hamilton leads Russell by 4.7sec Link copied to clipboard Antonelli is 1.8sec behind Russell and might be wise just to limit the damage this weekend and accept a three-point hit to his championship lead over his team-mate. Hamilton, of course, will take more out of it stays like this.  3:06PM Lap 45 of 66 - Superb pace from Hamilton Link copied to clipboard He was 0.7-0.8sec faster than the Mercedes cars on the last lap. Still no further word on the yellow-flag infringement. Colapinto has also been noted for that. Hamilton might need to keep pushing... 3:05PM Lap 44 of 66 - Top 10 and gaps Link copied to clipboard HAMRUS +3.9ANT +5.5NOR +7.0VER +26.4LEC +28.5PIA +34.2HAD +53.6GAS +1lapCOL +1lap 3:05PM Lap 43 of 66 - ⁉️Yellow-flag infringement noted for Hamilton Link copied to clipboard I assume that is for Alonso’s car being stopped. It has not been confirmed as being investigated yet.  3:02PM Lap 42 of 66 - Hamilton leads... Link copied to clipboard He has hard tyres that are four and five laps fresher than the Mercedes cars behind him. Can he cling onto the win in the next 24 laps? It’s going to be fun finding out... What a moment! Hamilton comes in for fresh rubber and crucially comes out ahead of Russell under the Virtual Safety Car Can he hold the lead until the end? #F1 #BarcelonaGP | LAP 42/66 pic.twitter.com/QtJcSSz5mc — Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026 3:01PM Lap 41 of 66 - Will Ferrari stop Hamilton? Link copied to clipboard This would be the best way to make up time, surely? I am surprised they didn’t do it a bit sooner, but I think he passed the point of pitting before it was called... Out come the Ferrari mechanics... Hamilton pits. Will he go onto the hard tyres? Surely... Yes... he gets too close for comfort with an Alpine.  Hamilton comes out of the pit lane ahead, just as the VSC is ending... 3:00PM Lap 40 of 66 - 🟨Yellow flags Link copied to clipboard Alonso has stopped by the side of the track. This becomes a Virtual Safety Car. Will this help Hamilton? He could get a cheap stop.  Fernando Alonso has stopped at the side of the track ⚠️ VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR ⚠️#F1 #BarcelonaGP | LAP 41/66 pic.twitter.com/tjRQ9oBpvO — Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026 2:58PM Lap 39 of 66 - Hamilton told to ‘give everything’ Link copied to clipboard Seven laps, foot to the floor. That is what he is told.  Russell into second ahead of Leclerc now, a bit close for comfort, though, towards the end of the lap. Leclerc pits.  2:56PM Lap 38 of 66 - Antonelli comes out ahead of Norris Link copied to clipboard Not much in it, though, that undercut almost worked beautifully for Norris.  It’s currently a Ferrari 1-2. Let’s look at the lap times from Hamilton compared to the Mercedes cars. When will Hamilton stop again? He is currently 17-19sec clear of the two Mercedes cars but is likely to be a decent chunk slower than them, with their fresh tyres.  2:54PM Lap 37 of 66 - Antonelli leads Link copied to clipboard Hamilton in second, 4.7sec behind him and much quicker. Leclerc in third with Russell about 7.3sec behind him. This will be a fascinating end to the race. Here is the top 10 now:  ANTHAMLECRUSNORVERPIAHADGASLINSome varying strategies out there but it is essentially a three-horse race with Hamilton on a three-stopper, with one more to go and Antonelli and Russell on two-stoppers. Russell has stopped twice, Antonelli will stop at the end of this lap most likely.  2:53PM Lap 36 of 66 - In comes Russell... Link copied to clipboard Norris pits, Hamilton into third. Russell is told to pit this lap, which will help his cause. A long way to go, though... 2:52PM Lap 35 of 66 - Norris still in play here Link copied to clipboard He is 4.5sec away from Antonelli. Not really in this race for victory but doing a fine job nevertheless.  Credit: Josep Lago/Getty Images Antonelli is reminded of Norris and to not fight too hard.  2:50PM Lap 34 of 66 - Hamilton 2.3sec faster than the leaders Link copied to clipboard He is around 10 seconds adrift of Antonelli and Russell.  “Am I catching them?” Hamilton asks. “You are catching them very well! Keep pushing,” he says.  2:49PM Lap 33 of 66 - Antonelli makes a move! Link copied to clipboard Russell has to defend at turn one and he does so fairly well but puts himself on the back foot before things settle down again.  Russell has tyres that are older by two laps but Antonelli looks to be the faster man in this stage of the race. This plays into Hamilton’s hands. Antonelli also needs to stay within track limits, he has been reminded of that by his race engineer.  2:48PM Lap 32 of 66 - Hamilton is keen Link copied to clipboard “Let me know what times I need to do,” he says. He is focused and locked-in here. Leclerc had just let him through for fourth.  The Mercedes cars squabbling would help his cause... 2:46PM Lap 31 of 66 - Problems for Russell... Link copied to clipboard Antonelli is now within one second of him as they negotiate traffic... Leader Russell has decided to stay out on track and has Antonelli for company 👀#F1 #BarcelonaGP | LAP 30/66 pic.twitter.com/qQqGq7cKdW — Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026 2:45PM Lap 30 of 66 - Danger zone for Antonelli Link copied to clipboard A black and white flag for track limits. One more of those and it’s a five-second penalty.  Hamilton with the new fastest lap, 2.6sec faster than Russell.  Credit: Lluis Gene/Getty Images 2:44PM Lap 29 of 66 - Hamilton gets Piastri Link copied to clipboard Around the outside of turn three on fresher tyres. It doesn’t seem to be the case that Russell will do a three-stop strategy. Hamilton on the medium tyres, by the way, so I guess both Hamilton, Antonelli and Russell will stop once more.  2:43PM Lap 28 of 66 - Problems for Russell Link copied to clipboard Were he to pit now he would come out behind Hamilton... superb pace from Hamilton so far.  2:42PM Lap 27 of 66 - Undercut for Hamilton! Link copied to clipboard He comes into the pits... what do Mercedes do now? Russell only 3.7sec ahead of team-mate Antonelli now. His race could become complicated and quickly.  2:40PM Lap 26 of 66 - Antonelli making ground Link copied to clipboard He is now 1.6sec behind Hamilton and 4.3sec behind leader Russell, who complains that his front-end feels a bit weak.  2:37PM Lap 25 of 66 - Hamilton makes up some time Link copied to clipboard The gap down to 2.2sec with Antonelli 2.6sec behind him. The final stint of the race could be an interesting one... no real on-track battles at the front yet, so let’s hope we get to see some in the second half.  2:37PM Lap 24 of 66 - Is this a three-horse race? Link copied to clipboard The top three are within five seconds of each other. Norris is a further two seconds back from Antonelli and is doing a good job but the pace is not there in the McLaren there today, I think. 2:36PM Lap 23 of 66 - Russell in traffic Link copied to clipboard This will help Hamilton and Antonelli.  2:35PM Lap 22 of 66 - The trouble for Russell now... Link copied to clipboard Is the undercut. Hamilton can pit first, get extra lap time on fresher tyres and gain position. That is at the moment. Russell could do with stretching his lead to 3.5sec or so that would mitigate if not eliminate that risk. Credit: Andy Hone/LAT Images 2:33PM Lap 21 of 66 - Russell leads Hamilton by 2.1sec Link copied to clipboard Again, Russell just seems to be a tenth or so faster most laps. Antonelli is four seconds behind Hamilton is by no means out of this race. Leclerc has good pace and is closing in on Verstappen in fifth. Norris a bit of a lonely race in fourth, which would be a decent result in a slightly problematic McLaren. 2:31PM Lap 20 of 66 - Backmarkers update Link copied to clipboard Challenging for the final points spot are Hulkenberg in 11th, then Gasly Colapinto close behind. Bit of a gap to Sainz in 14th, then it;s Ocon, Bortoleto, Albon, Alonso, Perez and Bearman. Colapinto is told to let Gasly through, which he complies with. He is a little baffled. They are on similar strategies but perhaps Gasly appears to be the faster man, unequivocally. 2:30PM Lap 19 of 66 - Top 10 and gaps Link copied to clipboard RUSHAM +2.0ANT +7.5NOR +9.6VER +13.7LEC +21.5PIA +23.3LIN +36.7HAD +41.6LAW +47.8 2:29PM Lap 18 of 66 - Hadjar into the top 10 Link copied to clipboard He overtakes the Haas of Bearman to move into ninth. He has stopped, so is making decent progress. Russell still has the edge on Hamilton but it’s not a large one.  Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images 2:27PM Lap 17 of 66 - ⁉️ Sainz under investigation Link copied to clipboard That is for a start-line procedure infringement. As is his team-mate Alexander Albon.  ❌Bottas retires from the race. A poor and disappointing season for him.  2:26PM Lap 16 of 66 - Leclerc does stop Link copied to clipboard He moves onto the hard tyres, so Russell regains the lead of the race.  2:25PM Lap 15 of 66 - Leclerc leads Russell Link copied to clipboard But it sounds like Leclerc is stopping. He does not want to, though, and has been told to stay out.  Hamilton is roughly keeping pace with Russell since they emerged from the pit lane. 1.8sec now the gap. Can or will Ferrari use Leclerc as a blocker? 2:24PM Lap 14 of 66 - Antonelli stops Link copied to clipboard So no real trouble for Russell on that front. Leclerc inherits the lead of the race, 5.5sec ahead of Russell but he has not stopped.  2:22PM Lap 13 of 66 - Antonelli leads Norris Link copied to clipboard But Norris is coming into the pits. Fair that Russell responded to Hamilton stopping, I guess, but does it compromise his race compared to Antonelli, who has not stopped, and is on medium tyres. Hamilton, remember, started on the soft tyres.  Russell says he has been exposed by his team, to his team-mate.  2:21PM Lap 12 of 56 - This will be a flurry of pit stops Link copied to clipboard A slow stop for Liam Lawson. 2.5sec stop for Hamilton. Russell thinks Hamilton is going for a three-stop race. Hamilton is on the hard tyres now and is in seventh. Verstappen also complaining about his tyres. In comes Russell to the pit lane. It’s a tidy stop. 2.5sec so is not vulnerable to any undercut. Verstappen stops as well. 2.5sec for him. Russell responds immediately He also bolts on hard tyres, and crucially keeps track position ahead of Hamilton #F1 #BarcelonaGP | LAP 13/66 pic.twitter.com/8NyMz6DP7P — Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026 Hamilton has gained some time from that earlier stop... he is 1.5sec off Russell as the Mercedes comes out of the pit lane. Can he make any further inroads with warmer tyres. They are both on the hards now. 2:19PM Lap 11 of 56 - Leclerc closing in on Verstappen now Link copied to clipboard He is within a second, so gets a boost. Hamilton has slipped to 3.5sec behind Russell. He just doesn’t have the pace to trouble Russell but is doing a decent job in not dropping back any further on the soft tyres.  Is Hamilton coming in now? It looks like he is... Credit: Bruna Casas/Reuters 2:16PM Lap 10 of 56 - Top 10 and gaps Link copied to clipboard RUSHAM +3.5ANT +5.5NOR +8.0VER +10.3LEC +11.5PIA +14.2LAW +23.2HUL +24.2LIN +27.2 2:16PM Lap 9 of 56 - Norris asked how the pace and tyres are Link copied to clipboard “Yeah, just sliding everywhere,” he says.  2:14PM Lap 8 of 66 - Leclerc gets Piastri for sixth Link copied to clipboard Patient at the start of the lap but then hangs it around the outside of turn three to move up a place. The McLaren looked a little helpless to respond to it, really. The cars are sliding around the track and the gaps are growing.  2:13PM Lap 7 of 66 - Scrap that, Russell ups his pace Link copied to clipboard He takes another 0.4sec out of Hamilton behind him, though Hamilton is now 1.5sec ahead of Antonelli.  2:11PM Lap 6 of 66 - Russell leads Hamilton by 2.6sec Link copied to clipboard The lead has stabilised a little and Antonelli looks to be stuck a little in the dirty air behind the Ferrari of Hamilton.  Lance Stroll pulls into the pit lane to retire from the race.  2:10PM Lap 5 of 66 - What happened to Hadjar? Link copied to clipboard A poor start with too much wheelspin, really. Leclerc nearly ploughed into the back of him but avoided contact, thankfully.  2:09PM Lap 4 of 66 - Russell leads Hamilton by 2.5sec Link copied to clipboard Antonelli has closed in a little. Leclerc showing decent pace in seventh and is approaching Piastri as they end the lap.  2:07PM Lap 3 of 66 - Russell leads Hamilton by 1.7sec Link copied to clipboard Are Hamilton’s chances of victory gone? Too early to say that but his best chance was getting ahead of Russell on the soft tyres. He is now two seconds behind and Antonelli is only 1.1sec behind him.  2:05PM Lap 2 of 66 - Top 10 Link copied to clipboard RUSHAMANTNORVERPIALECLAWLINHUL 2:05PM 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 THE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GRAND PRIX IS GO! Link copied to clipboard It’s a good start for Russell who holds the lead ahead of Hamilton at the first corner. Verstappen makes a decent start but has not made any positions up y turn four. Norris is on the back of Antonelli from early on for third. Leclerc up into seventh. ⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️ LIGHTS OUT IN BARCELONA!!! RUSSELL HOLDS THE LEAD INTO TURN 1, HAMILTON STAYS IN SECOND #F1 #BarcelonaGP pic.twitter.com/5Bi3rlJ7AZ — Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026 Hadjar, sixth on the grid, has dropped back to 15th somehow but is up to 14th by the end of the lap.  Hadjar, who dropped from P6 to P14 on the opening lap, is making amends He swoops past Sainz and is up to P13 ⬆️#F1 #BarcelonaGP | LAP 3/66 pic.twitter.com/2RVN5nnUFx — Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026 Russell extends his lead by the end of the lap, more than one second ahead. 2:01PM The formation lap is under way Link copied to clipboard Everyone away cleanly. George Russell leads the drivers off the grid on their formation lap 👉#F1 #BarcelonaGP pic.twitter.com/ivSeMGpZDV — Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026 1:57PM Starting tyre types Link copied to clipboard Interesting... In the top 10 everyone is on mediums ecept for Hamilton in second, Verstappen in fifth and Hulkenberg in ninth. Below them it is softs and mediums until Perez in 19th and the two Aston Martins, who are all on hard tyres. That grid is sweltering. Track temp is 50.9C according to the screens in the press room. It certainly felt like you could fry an egg on it during the gridwalk. All about the tyre deg today. Ferrari believe their delta to Mercedes is around 0.2sec on race pace. But that would easily be offset by clean air if Lewis can get out in front. Who does Russell block? Hamilton? Or Antonelli? The start today is massive because there is going to be very little yo-yoing by all accounts. The overtake mode here is less powerful than DRS used to be. McLaren’s Lando Norris starts P4 and I’ve just been reminded that Fernando Alonso started P4 in 2011 and blasted past both Red Bulls and Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren, braking late on the inside to take the lead by Turn 1. It can be done...  1:53PM STARTING GRID Link copied to clipboard 1. RUS 2. HAM 3. ANT 4. NOR 5. VER 6. HAD 7. PIA 8. LAW 9. HUL 10. LEC 11. LIN 12. BOR 13. BOR 14. GAS 15. BEA 16. SAI  17. OCO 18. ALB 19. PER 20. BOT 21. STR  PIT LANE: ALO 1:48PM It is hot, hot, hot in Spain Link copied to clipboard A bird's-eye view of the top four drivers on the grid 👀 1️⃣ Russell 2️⃣ Hamilton 3️⃣ Antonelli 4️⃣ Norris#F1 #BarcelonaGP pic.twitter.com/UbFQeT3epK — Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026 It often is. 31C air temperature and 51C track temperature. Pirelli seem to suggest that a two-stopper is best but a three-stop race is possible. Russell, on his way to the grid, does not think it will be an easy race even if he keeps the lead at the end of the first lap.  1:46PM Nico Rosberg on the grid Link copied to clipboard He tries to grab a word with Lewis Hamilton on his way to the front of the grid for the national anthem, but politely declines. He acknowledged him, at least. 10 years since they crashed into each other here on the opening lap...   1:42PM Work going on on Kimi Antonelli’s car Link copied to clipboard They are adjusting the brakes as, according to race engineer Peter Bonnington, Antonelli reported a “long pedal”. Not what you want. It doesn’t look like it will be a problem that will stop him from starting the race.  1:39PM Current constructor standings Link copied to clipboard I suppose the one good thing about Aston Martin’s season is that they have scored a point and are ahead of Cadillac because of it.  1:31PM Cars are out on track Link copied to clipboard The engines are fired up and the pit lane is open! 👉#F1 #BarcelonaGP pic.twitter.com/UNVeXwxe5P — Formula 1 (@F1) June 14, 2026 1:30PM Is Hamilton back to his best? Link copied to clipboard Credit: Bruna Casas/Reuters It has been a fine season for him so far, and he has now taken three podiums for Ferrari this year, compared to none last year.  He has the edge (just) over Leclerc in qualifying and also on results. It’s much better, in other words. What chance of a first Ferrari win today? Half decent, I guess, but might need a bit of luck.  Here are his results in grands prix so far this season.  1:20PM Qualifying head-to-heads in 2026 so far Link copied to clipboard Some standout results there. Leclerc losing to Hamilton, Albon being trounced by Sainz and Stroll actually managing to out-qualify Fernando Alonso for the first time in 40-odd races. Astonishing.  1:11PM How Leclerc’s qualifying ended Link copied to clipboard RED FLAG: Charles Leclerc crashes out! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/xURjVrAnG2 — Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) June 13, 2026 In the barriers... it has not been a brilliant season from him so far. Not terrible, just a few too many mistakes.  1:06PM Current driver standings Link copied to clipboard A long way to go for Russell... and also Antonelli. Plenty of points up for grabs from here on in, though the races do start coming thick and fast now.  12:56PM Qualifying times Link copied to clipboard Mercedes are, frankly, running away with it this year. Yet their dominance is not near the scale of the last big regulation reset in 2014, thankfully. In percentage terms, their gap to the next fastest team at the first race was one per cent; yesterday it was just 0.086 per cent, having been 0.06 per cent in Monaco and 0.208 per cent in Canada.  Good work from Cadillac, too. Both of their cars finished ahead of both Aston Martins in qualifying.  12:37PM Good afternoon Link copied to clipboard Welcome to our coverage for the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. It feels a bit too early to be saying this is a pivotal race for George Russell’s championship hopes, with so long to go, but that is not that wide of the mark.  Russell trails Mercedes team-mate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 68 points. Indeed, Russell’s two pointless weekends in Monaco and Canada mean that Lewis Hamilton, of Ferrari, has snuck into second place in the standings.  Has Russell been unlucky? Undoubtedly. But has he underperformed? Yes. And I think he would admit to that. Credit must also go to Antonelli, who was well beaten by Russell in his debut season last year, but has now won five races in a row. That doesn’t happen by accident. Even if Russell gets some good luck and finds form, beating Antonelli is not a formality.  George Russell starts on pole Credit: Alejandro Garcia/Shutterstock Qualifying yesterday was, at least, some sign that he can turn this around. He took pole position – his third of the season and first since Canada – by just under a tenth of a second from Hamilton. Lewis. Unfortunately for Russell there was not a big gap to Antonelli, who was third. The order could well be swapped on the first lap.  What prospect of good racing today? Well, the larger issues with the electrically-charged cars have lessened in recent times, perhaps because of some tweaks by the FIA and also the nature of some of the tracks. This track isn’t the bore-fest that it once was, but any track is capable of hosting a dull event. I think this could be a decent one, though.  It’s lights out at 2pm and we will be here for all of the build-up, latest updates and reaction from the race.