Lewis Hamilton’s recent victory in Barcelona, his first since joining Ferrari, has drawn significant praise from fellow British driver Lando Norris, who lauded the win as a powerful statement against critics and celebrated a historic all-British podium.

The win marked Hamilton’s first triumph in 686 days, ending a prolonged dry spell and immediately placing the 41-year-old in realistic contention for the World Championship for the first time since 2021. While a virtual safety car (VSC) triggered by former teammate Fernando Alonso offered a strategic advantage, data analysis suggested Hamilton could have secured the win even without its intervention.

Norris, who shared the podium with Hamilton for the seventh time in his career, acknowledged the significance of the moment for the seven-time World Champion. “I think you could see how much it meant to him,” Norris told PlanetF1.com. “At the same time, he’s obviously had a lot of people talk badly about him and he’s got a lot of crap online from a lot of people, so it’s nice that he can stick the middle finger up to all of them.” Norris also noted Hamilton’s recent uplift in performance, stating he “certainly seemed to have upped his game” and was “making the most of what he’s got now.”

An all-British podium for the ages

Beyond Hamilton’s personal milestone, the Barcelona Grand Prix also delivered a rare piece of Formula 1 history. The podium featured three British drivers: Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and George Russell. This was the first time three British drivers stood together on an F1 podium since 1968, a moment Norris described as “pretty special.”

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“Also, to share the podium with him and then with George, to have three Brits up there, I think the first time since 1968, I think someone said,” Norris added. “Pretty special, pretty cool for us to represent our country that way.”

The feat highlights Britain’s enduring legacy in Formula 1. British drivers have achieved an all-national podium 12 times in F1 history, more than any other nation:

• Italy: Six times, all in the 1950s.

• France: Three times, between 1980 and 1983.

• United States: 11 times, though all occurrences were when the Indy 500 was part of the F1 calendar.

Hamilton’s victory, coupled with the historic British podium, marks a significant moment for the sport, signaling a potential resurgence for one of its most decorated drivers and celebrating a unique national achievement.

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