George Russell has warned that Ferrari could become an even bigger threat to Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton secured a dominant victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, ending Mercedes’ unbeaten run in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Hamilton delivered an outstanding performance in Barcelona to claim his first Grand Prix win since joining Ferrari, giving the Italian team a major boost after introducing a significant upgrade package for the weekend. The result demonstrated Ferrari’s growing competitiveness and increased pressure on Mercedes at the front of the field.
Russell admitted Ferrari’s pace caught Mercedes by surprise and believes the team’s improvement is unlikely to be a one-off. He suggested Hamilton’s race-winning speed was a clear sign that Ferrari is rapidly closing the gap and could continue challenging for victories in the coming rounds.
Speaking after the race, Russell acknowledged that both he and Mercedes were impressed by Ferrari’s performance. He described Hamilton’s pace as exceptional and warned that Ferrari’s recent progress makes them a serious contender moving forward.
While Hamilton celebrated victory, Russell endured a more difficult afternoon. The Mercedes driver had enjoyed a strong start to the weekend and looked competitive throughout practice and qualifying, but he struggled to maintain the same level of performance during the latter stages of the race.
Russell initially appeared set for a podium finish before being overtaken by team-mate Kimi Antonelli. However, Antonelli’s race ended prematurely due to a mechanical failure, allowing Russell to recover a position.
Reflecting on his own race, Russell said he felt comfortable during the opening stint but found the final two stints much more challenging. Despite the difficulties, he remained positive about Mercedes’ overall performance and was pleased to return to one of Formula 1’s most iconic venues.
With Ferrari showing impressive pace and Hamilton securing a landmark win, the battle at the front of the championship looks set to become increasingly competitive as the season progresses.