BARCELONA, Spain – Lewis Hamilton was in his own zip code Sunday as he roared to an easy victory in the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Hamilton was never seriously challenged throughout Sunday’s race, leading every lap from the pole. He finished more than 20 seconds ahead of runner-up Max Verstappen of Red Bull, with third-place Valtteri Bottas more than 44 seconds back of Hamilton at the checkered flag.
The top-three were the only drivers who finished on the lead lap.
“This feels absolutely incredible. I was just in a daze out there, I didn’t even know it was the last lap in the end, that’s how in the zone I was,” Hamilton said after his fourth victory in six Formula One races this year. “I can’t remember the last time I felt like that. It was really special and a real surprise after our recent tyre problems. We brought all of our learnings from the previous weekend into this one and that enabled us to do well today. A fantastic effort from everyone in the team, I’m so grateful for all their hard work and for continuing to push, so a huge thank you to everyone at the factories. I got the perfect start and then it was all about tyre management. It was so hot out there and very demanding, but I was just focused on protecting the tyres and bringing the car home. What an incredible result.”
The first car off the podium was Racing Point’s Lance Stroll, who led home his returning teammate Sergio Perez in fifth.
McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull’s Alexander Albon, AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Lando Norris completed the points positions.
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari was the only driver who failed to finish after an electrical issue sidelined him after 38 laps.