For the first time since 1968, three British drivers stood atop a Formula One podium together—with Sir Lewis Hamilton leading the charge in Ferrari red. At the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Hamilton claimed his first victory with Ferrari after 686 days without a win, finishing ahead of George Russell of Mercedes and Lando Norris of McLaren. This rare all-British 1-2-3, the first since Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill and John Surtees at the 1968 US Grand Prix, is a moment of national pride and a sign that British drivers remain at the pinnacle of motorsport.
In Formula One, a podium finish means placing first, second or third in a Grand Prix. An all-British podium—where all three drivers are British—is extraordinarily rare. Before this race, it had not happened for 58 years, and the 1968 trio were all world champions. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, has now won a Grand Prix for Ferrari, the sport's most iconic team, after a difficult first season in red where he failed to register a single podium. The victory came after a bold three-stop strategy and a timely virtual safety car, allowing Hamilton to build a 19.5-second lead—the biggest margin of victory this season.
“Why the first all-British F1 podium since 1968 matters for UK fans.”
The background to this moment stretches back to February 2024, when Hamilton announced he would leave Mercedes for Ferrari. The move was seismic: Hamilton had won six of his seven titles with Mercedes. His first year in a scarlet car was underwhelming, with no podiums and questions about his future. But Ferrari brought eight upgrades to Barcelona, and Hamilton's pace was superior throughout the 66-lap race. Even without the virtual safety car, he was catching race leader Russell. The victory solidifies Hamilton's second place in the championship, trailing Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli by 41 points after seven races.
For UK readers, this matters because Formula One is one of Britain's most popular sports, with a rich heritage of drivers and teams. The all-British podium evokes memories of the 1960s golden era, and Hamilton's success with Ferrari—a team with a massive global following—reaffirms British talent on the world stage. It also shows that Hamilton, at 41, can still compete at the highest level after a slump. The result has sent a wave of excitement through fans, with many dreaming of an eighth world title for Hamilton.
Q: What is an all-British podium in Formula One? An all-British podium occurs when the top three finishers of a Grand Prix are all British drivers. It is a rare feat: before Barcelona 2026, the last such occasion was the 1968 United States Grand Prix.
Q: Why did Lewis Hamilton struggle in his first year at Ferrari? Hamilton's first season with Ferrari in 2025 was described as his worst ever in F1, as he failed to achieve a single Grand Prix podium. The car lacked pace and reliability, but extensive upgrades and a change in strategy have since turned things around.
Q: Who leads the Formula One championship after Barcelona? Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) leads with 156 points. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) is second on 115 points, and George Russell (Mercedes) third with 106 points. Defending champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) is seventh with 55 points.
What happens next? The season continues at Spa-Francorchamps (17-19 July), followed by races in Austin (October), Mexico City, São Paulo, Las Vegas and Qatar. Hamilton's win has reignited his title hopes, but he trails Antonelli by 41 points with many races remaining.