Lewis Hamilton’s Spanish Grand Prix came to a dramatic and premature end after the Ferrari driver suffered a serious brake problem just a few laps into the race.
The seven-time world champion started from fourth on the grid and made an excellent getaway, briefly appearing to have an opportunity to challenge for the lead before backing out of the fight at the opening corner.
Hamilton soon found himself battling Max Verstappen for third position. The intense battle forced the Red Bull driver off the circuit as he attempted to avoid contact. Verstappen was subsequently instructed by his team to hand the position back to Hamilton, a decision that triggered an angry response over the radio before he eventually followed the order.
However, Hamilton’s advantage was short-lived.
Moments later, the Ferrari driver reported that his brake pedal was “going long,” immediately raising concerns about a potential mechanical issue. The situation quickly deteriorated when Hamilton spun and began falling rapidly through the field as he struggled to slow his Ferrari sufficiently for the corners.
His next radio message was even more alarming, with Hamilton telling his team that he had “no brakes.”
The problem sent him tumbling down to 21st place, with only his former Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas behind him in the Cadillac. Ferrari’s pit crew was then prepared for Hamilton’s return to the pits, while the driver was instructed not to stop the car on track.
The team appeared determined to avoid triggering an early safety car that could have disrupted Charles Leclerc’s race.
Hamilton’s retirement represents another major setback for his already fading championship ambitions. The Ferrari star arrived in Madrid 76 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli following a difficult weekend at Monza, and his early exit means he will leave the Spanish Grand Prix without adding any points to his tally.
With Antonelli running second behind race leader Lando Norris at the time of Hamilton’s retirement, the Mercedes driver is now in a strong position to extend his championship advantage even further.
For Hamilton, what began as a promising race with a strong launch quickly turned into another frustrating chapter in his difficult Ferrari campaign.
