Lewis Hamilton shows true colours by going straight home immediately after F1 race | F1 | Sport

Lewis Hamilton made the dreams of several fans come true after winning his first race with Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion took the chequered flag ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris, who completed the first all-British podium in 58 years. Hamilton was fortunate with the timing of a virtual safety car period, which allowed him to pit and maintain his lead at the front.

He went on to build a significant gap to the drivers behind him and was never really troubled from that point onwards as he claimed a historic victory. Given that it was Hamilton’s first victory as a Ferrari driver, many would have expected him to celebrate with a party or a big night out in Barcelona. However, what actually happened was completely different.

Hamilton instead spent time trawling through social media and interacting with fans who had posted videos of themselves reacting to his victory.

Some jumped for joy while others were reduced to tears and one video even showed a delighted bride being informed of the race result during her wedding reception.

Hamilton personally liked and reposted many of these clips on Instagram, showing his appreciation for the support of his biggest fans.

Reflecting on what he did after winning in Barcelona, the 41-year-old said: “People wonder what you do when you win a race, and take a first Grand Prix win for Ferrari.

“I got back home spending hours on the couch just reposting these beautiful stories and videos that I saw, and different messages from people.

“It was really, really overwhelming to experience it. It is nice to see people saying positive things, but I am also aware of the negative things that were said before.”

Hamilton has finished on the podium in each of his last three races and will be hoping to extend that streak at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.

He will have a different team-mate in FP1 at the Red Bull Ring, with Charles Leclerc set to be replaced by development driver Dino Beganovic.

Recent results have seen Hamilton emerge as a surprise title contender and he has already refused to rule out the possibility of securing an unprecedented eighth triumph.

“I think the opportunity is there, but it’s one thing being there and it’s another thing galvanising the troops and developing,” he said earlier this week.

“You can hit plateaus in terms of development, so all we can do is take it one day at a time, and all we can do is really continue to bring everything.

“Everyone brings something to the team and everyone back at the factory is working so hard. They see what’s possible, and when you see what’s possible, it’s a north star, you know that’s the direction we need to go.

“Whether the team has had that for a while, I’m not sure, but last year we didn’t really have a north star, and this year we have it. This year, everyone is doubling down, everyone is putting that extra bit of work in even more than before.

“I think it’s starting to show, and the stuff coming this weekend [in Austria], we do have a new engine. It’s a step, not the whole gap, but it’s a step. It’s one foot forwards, which I’m really proud and thankful for.”

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