Following Hamilton’s maiden victory for Ferrari in Barcelona, John Elkann is visibly moved—the Ferrari boss pays tribute to the driver and the team’s performance in an official statement
Lewis Hamilton celebrated his first victory as a Ferrari driver at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone in his still-young tenure with the Scuderia. Following the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s success, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann also offered his personal congratulations.
In an official statement, Elkann congratulated the driver on his maiden victory in red: “Well done, Lewis, on your first major victory with Ferrari. It is an emotional moment and a very important result that belongs to the entire team and all our fans.”
At the same time, the Ferrari chairman expressed his gratitude to the team’s staff: “I would like to thank everyone for their determination, dedication, and collective effort, which they demonstrate every day with passion and the Ferrari spirit, both at the racetrack and in Maranello.”
Elkann praises Ferrari’s overall performance
Elkann also made a reference to the Italian team’s endurance racing program. “My thanks also go to the other Ferrari team, which tackled the incredibly demanding 24 Hours of Le Mans with pride, solidarity, and great professionalism, fighting until the very end. Forza Ferrari.”
Hamilton himself was visibly moved after the race. Immediately after crossing the finish line, he thanked the team in Maranello via team radio. “Grazie a tutti, Maranello. Thank you very much. You helped me make this dream come true, and I can’t thank you enough,” said Hamilton.
He then addressed the team staff, his family, and his fans: “I’m so proud of you. To my family: I love you. To my fans: Thank you for continuing to remind me who I am. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Hamilton’s path to Ferrari and the 2026 title fight
Hamilton had moved to Ferrari before the 2025 season after twelve years with Mercedes. After his first season with the Scuderia fell far short of expectations, the Briton appears to have regained his former strength in 2026.
With his success in Barcelona, he solidified his position in the title race, narrowing the gap to the top of the drivers’ standings from 66 to 41 points, and remains a direct challenger to Kimi Antonelli.