Norris on Hamilton's Barcelona Triumph: A Victory to Silence Critics

Lando Norris expressed his delight in seeing Lewis Hamilton climb back to the top step of the podium with his first victory for Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

Hamilton's debut season with Ferrari in 2025 was less than stellar, as he missed out on both wins and podiums for the first time in his career, even calling himself "absolutely useless" at one point. But 2026 has been kinder, with Hamilton securing three podium finishes before clinching a hard-fought victory in Barcelona — his first since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix and his inaugural win with the Scuderia.

Sharing the podium with former Mercedes teammate George Russell and Norris himself, the trio achieved the first all-British top three since the 1968 United States Grand Prix. Reflecting on Hamilton's milestone, Norris remarked, "I think it's pretty cool. It’s pretty special. It’s nice."

Norris noted Hamilton's noticeable performance improvement in recent weeks, commenting on how the seven-time World Champion seems to be maximizing his current potential. "I grew up as a fan of Lewis," Norris continued, "and as a seven-time World Champion, it’s always a pleasure to see those kinds of things. And with Ferrari, it’s even cooler to see that partnership come through and pay dividends."

Standing on the podium with Hamilton and Russell was a moment of pride for Norris, highlighting the significance of having three British drivers represented. "To share the podium with him and then with George, to have three Brits up there, I think the first time since 1968 – pretty special, pretty cool for us to represent our country that way," he added.

Norris also acknowledged the criticism Hamilton faced during his rough patch last season, suggesting the victory was a fitting response to the doubters. "I’m happy for him. I hope he’s not this fast the whole season, because it would be nice if we could battle a bit more, but good for him. I think you could see how much it meant to him," Norris said with a grin. "At the same time, he’s had a lot of people talk badly about him, so it’s nice that he can stick the middle finger up to all of them."