The Briton converted a bold three-stop strategy into a decisive win, finishing ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris in what marked the first all-British podium in Formula 1 since 1968.

Ferrari opted to start Hamilton on soft tyres, but the strategy did not yield an early advantage. However, the team’s gamble paid off as a well-timed Virtual Safety Car allowed Hamilton to complete a “free” pit stop, putting him in a strong position to challenge for the lead.

From there, Hamilton delivered a series of consistent laps to stretch his advantage over the Mercedes cars and secure his first victory in nearly two years. The result also reduces Kimi Antonelli’s lead in the drivers’ standings.

Russell finished second after a demanding race, while Norris completed the podium in third. The Mercedes driver had to contend with pressure throughout the race, including a late on-track battle with teammate Antonelli before the latter’s retirement.

Antonelli’s race ended on lap 62 of 66 due to technical issues, one of several retirements that affected the race. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was also forced to retire late, adding to the unpredictability of the event.

Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar finished fourth and sixth, respectively, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claimed fifth place to secure valuable points for his team.

Further down the grid, Alpine enjoyed a strong result with Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto finishing seventh and eighth, although Colapinto faces a post-race investigation. Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad rounded out the top ten.

The race saw a total of seven retirements, with Aston Martin, Audi and Haas among the teams affected. Mechanical reliability proved a key factor in the outcome, reshaping the final standings.

Hamilton’s victory marks a significant milestone for Ferrari and injects fresh momentum into the championship battle as the season progresses.

–F1/ChannelAfrica–