Barcelona GP : 1st win for Lewis in Ferrari

Lewis wins his first race for Ferrari in Barcelona. Kimi unfortunately had to retire due to engine issues. George was P2, Lando P3.

1st win for Lewis for Ferrari in Barcelona

Lewis wins for 106th time and this is for Ferrari, in Barcelona. The move to Ferrari from Mercedes was always a controversial one. The first year did not go well. Many doubted whether the move was a right one or not. Some even questioned Lewis’ ability to win races given that age is not on his side. While the first year and the ground-effect rules in general were not helpful, Lewis looked more positive with the new regulations. He was in the groove. While Mercedes had the outright pace, Lewis was there was on the podium regularly. He came P2 in Monaco and P2 in Canada too. The top step was right around the corner.

Ferrari got a lot of upgrades and that seemed to have worked. Still Lewis started P2 and not P1. Mercedes seemed to have an upper hand. Lewis started on softs, hoping to get a jump. But he could not get the jump. However he had the pace and was able to keep up with the leader. Lewis decided to go for a 3 stop strategy and made it work. A lucky virtual safety car meant he got ahead in the race and there was just no looking back from it. Charles on the other hand had a race to forget with another retirement.

Mercedes ahead in Barcelona but not by much

Mercedes still has the better car, even with the Ferrari upgrades. George seems to have found his groove again and he put his car on P1. However in the race it was not that clear that he was the fastest. Lewis was catching with him in the first half and he simply raced away once he was in the lead in the final stint. Before Kimi had to retire due to engine issues, he had actually overtaken George and would have finished P2 comfortably. So George has made a step up but not by much. The Championship is very much in Kimi’s hand.

Kimi had a weekend to forget in Barcelona. He did not seem that strong in the car, started the race at P3, actually got ahead of George in the race but then had to retire due to engine issues. He is still ahead in the Championship but this is a long season and he cannot take things for granted.

Decent McLaren and RedBull in Barcelona

Lando got the final step of the podium as Kimi retired. McLaren has the pace but not enough to compete with the Mercedes and Ferrari. Oscar finished P5. Max showed hints of performance but he was nowhere to be seen in the race, finishing P4 and Isack P6.

Both the Alpines and the Racing Bulls ended up in points. It was a weekend to forget for Williams, Audi and HAAS. Cadillac and Aston Martin have a lot of work to do.

Barcelona GP top 10 : First Ferrari win for Lewis