Barcelona is where heritage blinked first. Faced with Madrid taking the Spanish Grand Prix name and a contract expiring after 2026, the circuit — majority-owned by the Government of Catalonia — did not lose the race; it traded annual frequency for survival, agreeing to host only in 2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032, rotating with Spa, at around €28m a year. On track, Lewis Hamilton won his first race for Ferrari on a three-stop strategy that beat a two-stopping Mercedes — while the championship leader retired late, ending a five-race winning run.

Russell controlled from pole, but Ferrari committed Hamilton to a three-stop strategy — stopping early (soft→hard, lap 12) and again for mediums (lap 28) to give him a clear pace advantage over the two-stopping Mercedes. The decisive call came on lap 41: Alonso stopped on track with a technical problem, triggering a VSC, and Ferrari brought Hamilton in for his third stop under it, rejoining still ahead of Russell. He then controlled the race to the flag. Behind him, Antonelli attacked Russell for P2 with five laps left, moved ahead but damaged his front wing and stopped with a mechanical problem — ending a run of five consecutive wins and a scoreless weekend that cut his points lead. Leclerc also retired (power-steering/hydraulics), bringing a second VSC; Hamilton's margin was already large enough to hold off Russell. Hamilton's first win for Ferrari (106th career, oldest GP winner since 1970), with Russell second and Norris third — the first all-British podium since the 1968 United States GP.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship on 156 (41 pts clear of Lewis Hamilton). Top three: Antonelli 156, Lewis Hamilton 115, George Russell 106. Constructors: Mercedes 262 ahead of Ferrari 190. Verified · source: Jolpica standings after Round 7.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship on 156 (41 pts clear of Lewis Hamilton). Top three: Andrea Kimi Antonelli 156, Lewis Hamilton 115, George Russell 106. Constructors: Mercedes 262 ahead of Ferrari 190. Verified · source: Jolpica standings after Round 7.