Lewis Hamilton’s victory at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix was about far more than adding another trophy to an already extraordinary Formula 1 career. By taking the checkered flag for Ferrari in Barcelona, the seven-time world champion secured his place in one of the most exclusive groups in motorsport history.
With that triumph, Lewis Hamilton became the 41st driver ever to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix for Ferrari, joining a list that includes some of the most iconic names the sport has ever known. From world champions and legends of the past to modern-day stars, each driver on that list contributed to the remarkable legacy of the Scuderia.
For the Briton, the achievement represents the fulfillment of a dream that began long before he arrived at Maranello. Throughout his career, the British driver often spoke about the special appeal of racing in Ferrari red. Now, his name is permanently etched into the team’s history books alongside the sport’s greatest champions.
The significance of the moment was amplified by the circumstances surrounding the victory. Ferrari’s win in Spain marked a major turning point in the season, with the Scuderia’s latest upgrades transforming the competitiveness of the SF-26 and reigniting hopes of a genuine championship challenge.
Lewis Hamilton’s success was not simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Throughout the weekend, he demonstrated the pace, consistency and racecraft that have defined his Formula 1 career. Once the race entered its decisive stages, the Ferrari driver delivered a commanding performance to secure his first victory for the Italian team.
In doing so, he joined an extraordinary lineage of Ferrari race winners stretching back to the early years of the Formula 1 World Championship.
Every Formula 1 driver to win a race for Ferrari
- Alberto Ascari
- José Froilán González
- Piero Taruffi
- Mike Hawthorn
- Giuseppe Farina
- Maurice Trintignant
- Luigi Musso
- Juan Manuel Fangio
- Peter Collins
- Tony Brooks
- Phil Hill
- Wolfgang von Trips
- Giancarlo Baghetti
- John Surtees
- Lorenzo Bandini
- Ludovico Scarfiotti
- Jacky Ickx
- Clay Regazzoni
- Mario Andretti
- Niki Lauda
- Carlos Reutemann
- Gilles Villeneuve
- Jody Scheckter
- Didier Pironi
- Patrick Tambay
- René Arnoux
- Michele Alboreto
- Gerhard Berger
- Nigel Mansell
- Alain Prost
- Jean Alesi
- Michael Schumacher
- Eddie Irvine
- Rubens Barrichello
- Felipe Massa
- Kimi Räikkönen
- Fernando Alonso
- Sebastian Vettel
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lewis Hamilton
The diversity of the list highlights Ferrari’s unique place in Formula 1 history. It features drivers from multiple generations, different nationalities and vastly different eras of racing. Yet they all share one common achievement: winning a Grand Prix while representing the most famous team in motorsport.
Some names became synonymous with Ferrari, like Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda and Gilles Villeneuve. Others enjoyed shorter but memorable chapters with the Scuderia. Lewis Hamilton now adds his own story to that rich tradition.
What makes the achievement particularly remarkable is how difficult it has become to join this elite group. Ferrari has fielded hundreds of drivers across various categories during its history, but only 41 have managed to stand on the top step of the podium in Formula 1 wearing the famous red colors.
For Ferrari fans, the Spanish Grand Prix victory represented more than just another race win. It symbolized the beginning of a new chapter. After years of speculation, anticipation and expectation, Lewis Hamilton finally delivered the result that supporters had dreamed about when his move to Maranello was first announced.
Whether this victory proves to be the first of many remains to be seen. However, one thing is already certain: the Barcelona triumph has secured the Briton a permanent place in Ferrari folklore.
From Alberto Ascari to Michael Schumacher, from Niki Lauda to Charles Leclerc, and now to Lewis Hamilton, the story of Ferrari’s Formula 1 success continues to grow. In Barcelona, another historic page was added to that story, and Hamilton became the latest driver to join one of the sport’s most prestigious clubs.
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