Lewis Hamilton Celebrates His Best Weekend of 2024 After Thrilling Spanish GP Podium
Lewis Hamilton declared his third-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix his “best weekend” of 2024, as he basked in the glory of once again standing on the podium. It marked his first podium since last year's Mexico Grand Prix, putting an end to a long, grueling wait for the seven-time World Champion.
Hamilton's performance at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was nothing short of stellar. After a less-than-ideal start — which saw his Mercedes teammate George Russell leapfrog from P4 to the lead as Hamilton dropped to P4 — Hamilton showcased his prowess. Utilizing a soft-medium-soft tire strategy, he surged ahead, demonstrating impressive pace that ultimately saw him secure a P3 finish, five seconds clear of Russell.
A Remarkable Comeback
The race witnessed Hamilton's vintage form as he made a series of audacious passes, including a notable one on Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. While Sainz might have had reservations about Hamilton's Turn 1 maneuver on Lap 19 that forced the Spaniard to voice his concerns over team radio, the stewards saw nothing wrong, allowing the move to stand.
“I feel great, I feel fantastic, I’ve got plenty of energy,” Hamilton jubilantly said post-race. He attributed his return to the podium to the relentless efforts of the Mercedes team, emphasizing, “After a bad start, to recover and get back into P3 is a really, really great job. I’m really happy — particularly my second and last stints were very, very strong.”
A Season-Best Performance
Hamilton was not shy about expressing his elation, calling it “the best weekend I’ve had all year” and “for a long, long time,” signaling that his form was back after a challenging period. His thrilling battles on the track were a testament to his fighting spirit and skill, which saw him execute clean yet razor-thin overtakes.
Addressing his aggressive lunge on Sainz, Hamilton defended his move, stating, “Ultimately he didn’t cover the inside line, he left the door open, which I went for and a late move up alongside him. I think we were wheel to wheel, I think he was still on the track, so I left him space, as much as we could.” Hamilton added that the overtakes were how racing should be — close and competitive.
Momentum on the Rise
Mercedes now have back-to-back podium finishes for the first time since 2023, a sign that the Silver Arrows are finding their form once more. Hamilton’s result is not just a personal triumph but a signal that the team is “slowly closing the gap” to their top rivals. His gratitude to the engineers and support staff was evident as he praised their efforts in getting the car back into competitive shape.
While the victory ultimately went to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who managed to fend off the challenge from McLaren's Lando Norris, Hamilton's podium finish has ignited new excitement among fans and analysts alike. It suggests a potentially thrilling second half of the season, where Hamilton could once again be a regular contender at the sharp end of the grid.
In the ever-dramatic world of Formula 1, Hamilton’s Spanish GP performance will be remembered as a pivotal moment of resilience and skill. It’s a reminder that even after seven world titles, Lewis Hamilton still has the tenacity, skill, and hunger to compete with the best. For a racer known for his relentless pursuit of excellence, this weekend in Barcelona has set the stage for what could be a remarkable turnaround in 2024.