Ferrari, Hamilton immediately knocked out at the Madrid GP
After Monza, another race ruined in the first laps for Ferrari: in Madrid Lewis Hamilton retires after seven laps due to a technical brake problem.
Read more Hamilton retirement: “Today we could have fought for the podium. I feel sorry for the team”
After a good start on soft tires, the seven-time world champion (starting fourth) tries to challenge even the very first positions occupied by Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli. However, he exits the second corner in fourth position, because Max Verstappen cuts the first chicane: the controversies between the two old rivals last only a few minutes, because Hamilton immediately realizes the brake problems.
Verstappen, who is asked to give back the position, almost has to stop on track to “wait” for Hamilton, who meanwhile went wide losing six seconds to Norris. The Ferrari driver passes Super Max but the problems are too obvious and he has to return to the pits after a few laps.
Read more 2026 Drivers’ World Championship: the standings after the Spanish GP
Hamilton now risks losing even the third position in the World Championship to Norris, Ferrari will probably lose points to both Mercedes and McLaren.
The race for the Maranello team now revolves entirely around Charles Leclerc, who after 12 laps is fourth, 2″ behind Verstappen, but is running on medium tires. The Dutchman is instead on soft compound.
