Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2026 FIA Formula One World Championship
2026 Austrian Grand Prix
Red Bull Ring
Spielberg, Austria
Sunday, 28 June 2026
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has urged the team to lead the way in innovation as he looks to build on his first win of the season at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, June 28.
The Englishman showed he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level after claiming a commanding victory at the Barcelona Grand Prix.
It was Hamilton's maiden triumph with the Prancing Horse and his first since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix when he was still racing for Mercedes.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
The 41-year-old has now finished on the podium in his last three races after securing P2s at the Canadian Grand Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix.
Hamilton cut the gap to Kimi Antonelli to 41 points after the Drivers' Championship leader was forced to retire in Montmelo due to a battery problem, with George Russell a further nine points adrift in third place.
But the seven-time world champion admits Ferrari needs to keep innovating if they want to mount a serious challenge to Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship.
Image source: Getty Images
"It's so early in the season to get to this point," Hamilton said. "These guys have really listened and really worked hard to add performance and be innovative.
"This year is all about innovation. We came out with the bit on the rear exhaust. We came out with, what else was it, the rear wing, the Macarena.
"This is what I was asking for last year. It was like this team has to be the leaders in that, and they've shown that they can and they will.
"We've got a lot of work ahead of us. By no means is this something that's just going to happen all the time.
"We've got a heavy, heavy, steep mountain to climb up ahead of us to try to do this as Mercedes has all year so far."
2026 Barcelona Grand Prix results:
Winner: Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
Second Place: George Russell - Mercedes
Third Place: Lando Norris - McLaren
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