Kimi Antonelli congratulated Lewis Hamilton on his first victory with Ferrari. © APA/afp / MANAURE QUINTERO

Is Hamilton now challenging Antonelli to a title duel?

Formula 1 prodigy Kimi Antonelli sat sulking in the garage in front of the race computer as Lewis Hamilton joyfully threw himself into his victory celebration. The emotional images from Barcelona, ​​showing the 41-year-old Briton's first Grand Prix win for Ferrari, could mark the beginning of a magnificent generational duel for the World Championship title.

June 15, 2026

From: dpa

“When he smells blood, he attacks. Once the Lewis Hamilton train has started, it’s hard to stop,” said his long-time Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. “Red Hammer” rejoiced Tuttosport In Italy, the Tifosi joyfully recalled the start of the Michael Schumacher era with his first Ferrari victory 30 years earlier at the same track. Hamilton himself, after his magnificent drive in Catalonia, seemed as if he had been lifted from a tremendous weight. "How do you find the right words to express feelings that surpass the wildest dreams?" he asked hours after crossing the finish line.

The record world champion's profound joy also moved his rivals, even championship leader Antonelli, frustrated by his late electronics failure. "It hurts, but I'm especially happy for Lewis," the 19-year-old declared. The Italian's lead over Hamilton shrank to 41 points. Is the end of the Silver Arrows' winning streak in the seventh race of the season a turning point? "Yes, he will be a real danger," warned Mercedes driver George Russell about his fellow Briton.

Hamilton trained as hard as

For more than 17 months, Hamilton had to wait for moments like these since his spectacular move from Mercedes to Ferrari. A time filled with doubt, anger, and rumors of an imminent end to his career. "A lot of people talked badly about him, and he got a lot of flak online from many quarters – so it's nice that he can give them all the middle finger," said world champion Lando Norris of McLaren.

The runner-up in the World Championship: Lewis Hamilton © ANSA / Alejandro Garcia

Hamilton admitted that dark thoughts sometimes plagued him: "Man, maybe it's true that you lose your way at a certain point. But I've proven that's not the case. You still have it, it just takes work."
He trained more intensively than ever over the winter, and also toughened himself up mentally, the seven-time champion explained. In his first year at Ferrari, he sometimes seemed lost, and was usually clearly outmatched in the internal battles with Charles Leclerc. It took him a long time to understand the mechanisms and culture at the Scuderia and win the team over.

"My arrival was a shock to the system because I express my opinion very, very clearly." Lewis Hamilton on his beginnings at Ferrari

With the backing of team principal Frédéric Vasseur, who had lured him to Maranello, Hamilton implemented many changes that now form the basis of his success. "My arrival was a shock to the system because I express my opinions very, very clearly," Hamilton explained. Vasseur assured him: "It's a matter of details."

It's precisely these little things that are now coming together for Hamilton. The new cars suit his driving style better, and he's getting along much better with his new race engineer. His new companion, Kim Kardashian, also seems to be playing a part. "Perhaps the girlfriend is helping. It helped me to have a partner and a stable family life – and the two of them seem to get along really well," said his former boss, Wolff, who knows Hamilton's emotional life all too well.

Will Antonelli soon have priority at Mercedes?

That's precisely why the Mercedes team principal knows he'll likely have to make a decision soon in the intra-team battle between Antonelli and Russell to avoid jeopardizing the title. "When you're fighting against someone else, sometimes you have to let the faster driver go," the Austrian said. Observers promptly interpreted this as meaning Antonelli would soon be given priority over Russell.

Kimi Antonelli was eliminated in Barcelona. © APA/afp / JOSEP LAGO

The super-teenager was once again the faster of the two Silver Arrows stars in the Barcelona race and unnecessarily lost time in his duel with Russell. "That's a bitter pill for George, but he has to accept defeat now. It will break him inside," judged Sky expert Ralf Schumacher. What had looked like a Mercedes festival year after six consecutive victories is taking on a completely new dynamic thanks to Hamilton's resurgence. Toto Wolff has already admitted: "I'd rather not fight Lewis for the title. Because I know what he's capable of."