Brundle: Hamilton would have won Barcelona GP regardless of VSC

Lewis Hamilton claimed a commanding first victory as a Ferrari driver at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, crossing the line 19.5 seconds clear of George Russell for a record-extending 106th career win. Yet the deployment of a Virtual Safety Car on Lap 40 fueled speculation that the caution had handed him an unassailable advantage.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's breakthrough with the Scuderia ends persistent questions about whether he could reach the top step with his new team and immediately inserts him into the 2026 title fight. At 41, he became Formula 1's oldest race winner since Jack Brabham in 1970, underscoring remarkable longevity. With the VSC threatening to overshadow a landmark afternoon, Martin Brundle's verdict offers important clarity on the true nature of the victory.

The details:

• Hamilton executed a three-stop strategy and was gaining ground when the VSC appeared on Lap 40 to recover Fernando Alonso's stranded Aston Martin. The caution cut his pit-loss time from 22 seconds to roughly 12, allowing him to pit and retain the lead.
• In his Sky Sports column, Brundle argued victory was inevitable anyway. He highlighted Hamilton's superior pace on durable compounds and a significant tyre advantage over the closing stages, suggesting he would have overtaken both Russell and Lando Norris without the Safety Car assistance.
• The result lifted Hamilton to second in the Drivers' Championship, splitting the two Mercedes entries. He sits 41 points behind leader Antonelli and nine clear of former teammate Russell.

What's next:

Having finally opened his Ferrari victory account, Hamilton will aim to carry this momentum through the summer as the championship battle heats up. The win validates his blockbuster move to Maranello and suggests he remains a genuine title contender despite the fierce competition ahead.