Lewis Hamilton unable to defend Barcelona Grand Prix win in 2027 after major change

Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton celebrated profitable the Barcelona Grand Prix on Sunday

Lewis Hamilton savoured his long-awaited first victory with Ferrari on the Barcelona Grand Prix however the F1 legend will not get the chance to defend his win subsequent season. The 41-year-old crossed the road practically 20 seconds away from Mercedes‘ George Russell on Sunday.

It represents Hamilton’s first triumph in nearly two years following his failure to succeed in the rostrum all through his maiden marketing campaign with Ferrari. It has been a vastly improved season for Hamilton so far, who occupies second place within the driver standings, having secured 4 podium appearances in seven outings.

Hamilton was visibly moved after realising his ambition of profitable with Ferrari and notching up the 106th win of his F1 profession. But the seven-time world champion will not be capable to defend his Barcelona victory subsequent season because the occasion is ready to alternate with the Belgian GP at Spa in 2027.

In February, F1 confirmed that the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya would stage races in 2028, 2030 and 2032. As a part of the multi-year association, it was additionally introduced that the circuit’s place on the calendar would alternate with the Belgian GP at Spa in 2027, 2029 and 2031.

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It means F1 will not return to the Catalonian venue till 2028, stopping Hamilton from pursuing consecutive victories subsequent season. The veteran racer is presently contracted till 2027 however rejected hypothesis about retirement final month.

„I am nonetheless in contract so the whole lot’s 100 per cent clear to me. I am nonetheless centered, I am nonetheless motivated, I nonetheless love what I do with all my coronary heart,“ Hamilton mentioned forward of the Canadian GP in Might. „I’ll be right here for fairly a while so get used to it.

„There are lots of people attempting to retire me and that is not even on my ideas. I am already pondering of what’s going to be subsequent and planning for the subsequent 5 years. However yeah, I nonetheless plan to be right here for a while.“

Hamilton savoured the sensation of his first win with the enduring Italian outfit in Barcelona. He might be trying to double his victory rely with Ferrari on the Austrian GP later this month.

„First, I’ve to begin and say an enormous ‚grazie‘ to everybody right here, everybody again on the manufacturing unit, and to Fred [Vasseur] for believing in me and bringing me to this group,“ Hamilton mentioned. „I began out a dream final 12 months which appeared nearly unattainable throughout my time final 12 months. I practically gave up hope, however the group continued to carry me up.

„We made so many adjustments and enhancements and, on prime of that, we’ve simply the best fanbase a sportsman may ever ask for. So thanks, thanks to all people.“

Reflecting on the place the victory stands amongst his profession highlights, Hamilton added: „They’re all particular in their very own method, however this one is one thing else. I watched Ferrari have all their success once I was youthful, watched it on the TV, after which once I’ve been racing right here I’ve watched the screens and puzzled what it could be wish to win in that automotive.

„And now it is come. Everybody labored so exhausting for it and really deserves it, I am without end grateful to them. That is simply the primary, I hope of many. Nice pit stops immediately, nice technique. The automotive felt improbable. Forza Ferrari!“

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