Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One world champion, secured his first podium finish in seven months by finishing third in the Spanish Grand Prix.
Barcelona, Spain – Lewis Hamilton returned to the Formula One podium with Mercedes on Sunday, June 23, but said his best result of the season and the team’s improvement did not make him regret his decision to join Ferrari the following year.
The seven-time world champion finished third in the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, with teammate George Russell fourth, for his first podium since last October and 198th overall.
“This is the best weekend I’ve had all year, and for a long, long time, for like 15 races or something crаzy,” Hamilton told the presses.
“It’s good to be back, it’s good to have battles like today, it’s good to reassert and reaffirm.”
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The Briton easily passed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, whom he will replace next year, as well as Russell.
Toto Wolff, who was accused of sabotaging Hamilton in an anonymous email earlier this month, said he was pleased to see the Briton having a good weekend.
“It has been a while that he was on the receiving end and strategy had worked against him and today that was in his favor,” according to Wolff.
“So I’m happy that we have that podium for him.”
Hamilton stated that he had no second thoughts about the move, which was announced prior to the start of the season, to a Ferrari that clearly needed work. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished fifth and sixth, respectively, after retiring twice in Canada.
“My job next year will be to start with the other team, and they are doing an excellent job.” “They’ve had a difficult couple of races, but don’t forget they won in Monaco,” he added.
“I’m not sure what’s wrong with their car or why they’re in this position. But it doesn’t make me reconsider my decision at all.”
Mercedes was also fast in Barcelona last year, with Hamilton finishing second and Russell third behind Verstappen.
Russell won his first podium of the 2024 season in Canada two weeks ago, but he admitted that third place felt like a missed opportunity after qualifying on pole. – Rappler.com
