Lewis Hamilton secured a milestone victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, marking his first win since 2024 and his debut triumph with Ferrari. The seven-time Formula One world champion, now 41 years and five months old, became the oldest race winner since 1970. The result elevated Hamilton to second place in the drivers’ standings, narrowing the gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old driver who replaced Hamilton at Mercedes.

Hamilton’s return to the front of the grid follows a challenging period marked by injury and self-doubt throughout 2025. The driver revealed that rigorous physical training and an emphasis on mental well-being were key elements of his resurgence. He described undergoing a comprehensive mental reset, including a social media detox and spending quality time with family and friends, which helped rebuild his confidence.

“I’ve rebuilt my mind to this point, to get myself back to where I was,” Hamilton said after the race, emphasizing the importance of self-belief. “I spent lots of time with family, lots of time with friends, real people that know me, that have never doubted me, have stuck to and by me my whole life.”

At the circuit, Hamilton has received support from various quarters, including public encouragement from Kim Kardashian and improved communication with his new race engineer, Carlo Santi. This marks a noticeable change from his often-tense exchanges with former engineer Riccardo Adami last year.

Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton ahead of the 2024 season was viewed by some as a gamble, given his extended winless streak prior to joining the Scuderia. Under the direction of team principal Fred Vasseur, Ferrari appears to be adopting a more aggressive and innovative approach this year in its pursuit of both drivers’ and constructors’ titles. Hamilton highlighted the team’s focus on innovation, singling out the “Macarena” rear wing, an aerodynamic component that flips upside-down to improve straight-line speed.

“This is what I was asking for last year. This team has to be the leaders in that, and they’ve shown that they can and they will,” Hamilton remarked.

Meanwhile, Mercedes continues to struggle with reliability issues. Kimi Antonelli’s recent on-track retirement was the second non-finish for the team in three races. Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, reiterated a familiar adage to emphasize the team’s challenges: “To finish first, first you have to finish.”

Hamilton remains the only driver to have finished in the top 10 in every race this season, demonstrating consistency despite his team’s transition. However, the durability of this streak is uncertain, as teammate Charles Leclerc was forced to retire at the Spanish Grand Prix due to problems with his brakes and steering.