Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s first victory for Ferrari was greater than a protracted‑awaited private milestone — it was a press release of intent from a workforce that has spent the previous 18 months rebuilding itself piece by piece.
Hamilton delivered a cultured efficiency in qualifying to safe second place behind his former team-mate George Russell. Though the Mercedes driver appeared barely faster within the opening phases of the races, Hamilton managed to maintain his former team-mate in sight.
Hamilton’s gentle‑tyre begin compelled an early cease and dedicated him to a 3‑cease technique, however the Briton’s tempo on each the medium and laborious compounds saved him firmly within the combat. When a Digital Security Automobile arrived on the good second, Hamilton seized the lead — and from there, he was untouchable, pulling away to win by practically twenty seconds.
For Ferrari workforce boss Fred Vasseur, the victory was a validation of the workforce’s route and a tribute to the individuals behind it.
“It is a superb day for the entire workforce, for Lewis and for all the blokes on the manufacturing facility who’re pushing flat‑out on a regular basis. This result’s one of the simplest ways to thank them,” he stated, emphasising how a lot the win meant after a turbulent interval.
“The previous 12 months and a half has been fairly troublesome, with loads of ups and downs, so to win at this time is a large push for us. It’s a robust begin to the European a part of the season. Earlier than this, we had two consecutive podium finishes in Canada and Monaco and now we will add the win, having had a robust sufficient tempo to combat for pole yesterday.”
Vasseur highlighted Hamilton’s execution because the decisive issue. “From lap 1, we knew tyre administration can be the important thing and in that respect Lewis did a unbelievable job all race lengthy. He was answerable for the scenario, pushing once we requested him to. Our technique was aggressive however that’s what you possibly can afford to do when you may have the tempo for the win.”
However the afternoon was bittersweet. Hamilton’s team-mate Charles Leclerc had climbed from P10 to seventh and fought Max Verstappen for a lot of the race earlier than a late energy‑steering failure compelled him to retire — his second consecutive DNF.
Vasseur acknowledged the frustration however remained assured in Leclerc’s trajectory. “Charles was unfortunate as he needed to retire a number of laps from the top however I am certain he shall be combating for victories along with Lewis within the coming races.”
Regardless of the emotional weight of Hamilton’s first Ferrari win, Vasseur was cautious to maintain expectations grounded. “We begin over once more in Austria in a fortnight’s time, approaching the weekend in the identical approach we did right here, retaining in thoughts that we weren’t nowhere two weeks in the past and we aren’t world champions at this time.”
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