Lando Norris believes Lewis Hamilton’s victory in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix was the perfect response to those who had criticised the Ferrari driver during his difficult spell.
Hamilton claimed his first win in 686 days in Barcelona and secured his maiden victory with Ferrari. The result puts the seven-time World Champion firmly back into the title conversation for the first time since 2021.
Just 10 months after Hamilton suggested Ferrari should “change driver” amid a slump in form, the 41-year-old delivered one of his strongest performances in recent years. A standout middle stint laid the foundations for victory.
How the victory came for Lewis Hamilton
Although a VSC triggered by Fernando Alonso helped Hamilton’s cause, race data indicated he had the pace to win regardless.
Hamilton arrived late to the post-race press conference after completing additional media duties. Before his arrival, fellow podium finishers Norris and George Russell were asked for their thoughts on the Ferrari driver’s return to the top step.
Norris said Hamilton’s recent performances have shown a clear improvement.
“It’s pretty special,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “The last few weekends he’s certainly seemed to have upped his game. It seems like he’s making the most of what he’s got now, and that’s cool to see.
“I grew up as a fan of Lewis and I don’t know if I would still say I’m like that kind of fan, but I’m still a fan of him. And as a seven-time World Champion, it’s always a pleasure to see those kinds of things.
“And with Ferrari again, it’s even cooler to kind of see that partnership come through and kind of pay dividends, as it is doing now.
“I’m happy for him. I hope he’s not this fast the whole season, because it would be nice if we could battle a bit more, but good for him.
“I think you could see how much it meant to him. At the same time, he’s obviously had a lot of people talk badly about him and he’s got a lot of crap online from a lot of people, so it’s nice that he can stick the middle finger up to all of them.”
Historic British podium for Norris, Hamilton, and Russell
Norris also highlighted the significance of sharing the podium with Hamilton and Russell.
The result marked the first all-British top three in Formula 1 since 1968.
“Also, to share the podium with him and then with George, to have three Brits up there, I think the first time since 1968, I think someone said.
“Pretty special, pretty cool for us to represent our country that way.”
In the end, Hamilton’s victory may not silence every critic. But it served as a timely reminder that writing off champions often proves premature.
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