Unbelievable F1 Feats: Hamilton’s Record-Breaking Streak and Latest Tremors from Spain

Formula 1 enthusiasts were treated to another electric weekend in Barcelona as Max Verstappen and Lando Norris once again commanded the limelight. But hidden in the shadow of their dazzling one-two finishes were myriad milestones and records that deserve their own accolades. Not least among them was Lewis Hamilton, whose podium finish solidified him as one of the sport's enduring legends.

Verstappen Drives the Narrative - Again

To kick things off, Max Verstappen claimed his seventh win out of 11 races this year, bagging his 61st career win in the process. Verstappen continues his dominance at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, celebrating his fourth Spain GP victory and the third in succession. Fresh off winning the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen has maintained an unbroken reign over the championship lead for an astounding 763 days. His 106th podium finish places him in the rarefied company of legends like Alain Prost and Fernando Alonso.

Lando Norris’ drive to second place adds another feather to McLaren's increasingly impressive cap. Not only was it his fifth podium in the last six races, but Norris also achieved a new milestone by moving into second place in the drivers' standings for the first time. McLaren are now on a six-race podium streak, their best run since 2011-12. Remarkably, this was McLaren's first podium in Barcelona since Hamilton and Jenson Button were second and third in 2011.

Hamilton’s Indelible Mark

While Verstappen and Norris were the stars of the show, Lewis Hamilton also made headlines with his 198th career podium finish, making it 18 consecutive seasons where he has placed on the podium. This remarkable streak continues to etch Hamilton's name deeper into the annals of F1 history. At 39 years and 168 days old, Hamilton became the third-oldest podium finisher in the 21st century, trailing only Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton’s third-place finish was complemented by his Mercedes teammate George Russell finishing fourth, marking the second consecutive race where both Silver Arrows were in the top four. Russell has impressively led the opening lap at the last two Grands Prix, continuing to prove his mettle and adding a dynamic future to Mercedes' promising outlook.

Sainz's Home Dominance

No Spanish Grand Prix is complete without acknowledging the remarkable consistency of Carlos Sainz. Finishing sixth, Sainz maintained his unblemished record of always scoring points in his home Grand Prix, a perfect 10 out of 10. This makes the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya the only track where Sainz boasts a 100% point-scoring record in F1.

His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc also had a noteworthy day, finishing fifth for his best race performance in Spain since 2021. Although Ferrari might be far from the dominant force of seasons past, both drivers are proving that the Scuderia remains a formidable force on any given Sunday.

Alpine and Midfield Drama

Amongst the midfield, Alpine had reasons to celebrate as both Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon finished in the points, securing P9 and P10 respectively. This double-points finish allowed Alpine to leapfrog Haas into seventh place in the constructors' championship. Nico Hulkenberg of Haas narrowly missed out on points, finishing 11th for the fifth time this season.

Even though Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso could only manage P12, his struggles highlight the intense competition in the midfield. Kick Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu grabbed P13, marking his best finish since the opening Grand Prix of the season, while Red Bull’s Sergio Perez managed to climb from P11 to P8, making amends for his qualifying penalty.

Not to be overlooked, McLaren newcomer Oscar Piastri finished in seventh, the Australian’s lowest finish since failing to score in Miami. This adds another layer of complexity and excitement to the championship as fresh faces mix with seasoned veterans in delivering unforgettable races.

No Retirements - A Rarity

For the second consecutive year, the Spanish Grand Prix saw no retirements, underscoring the resilience and reliability of modern F1 machinery. It was a race filled with action, milestones, and unforgettable moments, proving yet again why Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport.

As we bid adieu to Barcelona and look forward to the rest of the season, the stakes are higher than ever. Whether it’s Hamilton’s relentless drive to extend his records, Verstappen’s quest for more victories, or the fascinating battle in the midfield, F1 fans worldwide are in for a treat.