Lewis Hamilton’s victory for Ferrari was undoubtedly the headline story of the Barcelona Grand Prix, with the British driver beating George Russell after the pair started from the front row, much like they did at Silverstone in 2024. However, the Spanish Grand Prix also delivered a number of fascinating stories away from the spotlight, including a historic all-British podium and the mystery of a missing towel.
The bigger picture
After a wait of thirty-four Grands Prix, Ferrari finally returned to winning ways in Barcelona. In between came a difficult and frustrating 2025 season, particularly for Lewis Hamilton, who ultimately guided the Scuderia back to the top step of the podium.
Yet beyond Ferrari’s long-awaited success, the race in Catalonia offered several memorable moments and unusual stories that deserve attention.
The mystery of the missing towel
Formula 1 fans had plenty to talk about on social media following the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. Surprisingly, the topic was not related to anything that happened on track, but rather the disappearance of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s towel, which had been taken by Kim Kardashian during the podium ceremony.
Mercedes decided to have some fun with the situation, publishing a video in which Antonelli and George Russell searched for the missing towel without success.
The story eventually received a happy ending. Lewis Hamilton’s girlfriend sent Antonelli a replacement towel, which the young Italian received in Barcelona and immediately put to use. The gift also came with a special dedication that read: “To Kimi, from Kim.”
What a coincidence
There have been only two occasions when George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have started together from the front row of the grid: Silverstone in 2024 and Barcelona in 2026.
On both occasions, George Russell started from pole position, yet it was Lewis Hamilton who went on to win the race. At Silverstone, the seven-time world champion mastered the changing conditions, making the right strategic calls in a rain-affected British Grand Prix and successfully holding off Max Verstappen. That victory marked his ninth triumph at his home circuit.
In Spain, meanwhile, Ferrari’s aggressive development programme paid dividends. Lewis Hamilton seized the opportunity and returned to the top step of the podium 686 days after his previous Formula 1 victory.
Hulkenberg’s stone
What happened to Nico Hulkenberg in Barcelona was almost unbelievable.
The German driver was forced to retire while battling for points after a stone thrown up by Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls struck the emergency switch connected to both the fire extinguisher system and the ERS. The impact activated the safety mechanism, effectively shutting down the car.
“The way the race ended is surreal, I’m very disappointed,” Hulkenberg wrote on Instagram following the Grand Prix.
The veteran driver is still searching for his first championship point of the season, and luck certainly does not appear to be on his side at the moment.
A British monopoly
The Barcelona weekend will be remembered as the event where Lewis Hamilton secured his first victory as a Ferrari driver, but the podium itself was equally historic.
Alongside the seven-time world champion stood George Russell and Lando Norris, completing an all-British top three.
To find the last Formula 1 race featuring a completely British podium, it is necessary to go all the way back to 1968. On that occasion, at Watkins Glen, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill and John Surtees shared the podium after the United States Grand Prix.
Nearly six decades later, Formula 1 witnessed another British clean sweep of the podium positions.
An enviable record
Barcelona also marked a significant milestone for Alexander Albon.
The Thai driver made his 96th Grand Prix start for Williams, becoming the driver with the most starts in the history of the legendary British team.
Albon surpassed Nigel Mansell in the all-time standings and chose to honour the former world champion with a special helmet design inspired by the livery Mansell wore during his title-winning 1992 season.
“It’s difficult to think that I’ve raced more times for Williams than one of the greatest drivers in this sport. Nigel was a source of inspiration while I was growing up,” Albon said.
Unfortunately, the milestone weekend did not bring the result he had hoped for. He qualified only 18th and later retired from the race, preventing him from celebrating the achievement with a stronger performance.
Even so, his place in Williams history is now secure, adding another noteworthy chapter to a Barcelona Grand Prix that delivered far more stories than Lewis Hamilton’s victory alone.
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