Barcelona - Race

After a qualifying session led by George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, the grid was set for yet another in the series of European Grand Prix. In the degradation-heavy Barcelona, with at least two stops expected from each driver, the initial strategies were split. Some, like the leader, decided to begin the race on medium tires, while others, including the man chasing him for the coveted position, opted for the softs. The two Aston Martins, all the way at the back of the grid, were the only cars sporting the hardest available set. 

Russell held the lead coming out of the first corners, and the other at the very front remained relatively unchanged. Further towards the back, Charles Leclerc managed to gain three places, moving into P7, while Isack Hadjar fell far behind his initial position, finding himself in P14. Only a few laps after the start, the race saw its very first retirement. Lance Stroll pitted due to sudden gearbox problems and never reappeared on track. 

Tire degradation was relentless from the very first moments, so it wasn't long before the drivers began pitting for fresh sets. Hamilton was the leading contender to do so, quickly followed by Russell, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris. This made Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri the temporary top three, although their reign did not last long. On lap 16, just as Valtteri Bottas became the Grand Prix's second retirement, the second Ferrari, the last man standing, dove into the pits, restoring the "proper" order. 

Since Hamilton had opted for a 3-stop strategy, he changed his tires again on lap 28. The decision ended up being a stroke of genius as he quickly made his way up the field, while the Mercedes lost time with every lap as they fought for the lead. They only pitted after lap 35, making the Brit the leader. A few laps later, and not long after Nico Hulkenberg joined the unfortunate retirees, the race took a decisive turn. Fernando Alonso was found stationary at turn nine, leading to a yellow flag waving over the circuit and a Virtual Safety Car being deployed. 

This was the perfect turn of events for the leading Hamilton. Under the VSC, he could change his tires without losing position and thus convert his net lead into one that was undeniably real. Although the Mercedes did what they could to chase him, there was nothing they could do to stop the man from winning his first Grand Prix for Ferrari. Instead, they had to settle on fighting each other. 

Antonelli was the man who headed for the intra-team victory as he took P2 from Russell on lap 61, but his luck was short-lived. Only a few minutes later, his car broke down, bringing down the Grand Prix's second VSC. At the same time, a hydraulic problem forced Leclerc to end his weekend without crossing the finish line for the second time in a row. 

In the end, Hamilton crossed the finish line 19 seconds ahead of Russell, his closest contender. He basked in the glory of his 106th win as the fans gathered around the circuit cheered his name. 

Order of the grid:

1. Lewis Hamilton

2. George Russell

3. Lando Norris

4. Max Verstappen

5. Oscar Piastri

6. Isack Hadjar

7. Pierre Gasly

8. Liam Lawson

9. Arvid Lindblad

10. Franco Colapinto

11. Gabriel Bortoleto

12. Carlos Sainz

13. Esteban Ocon

14. Sergio Perez

DNF: Charles Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Alex Albon, Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas, Lance Stroll