Montoya Compares Hamilton's Mentality to Alonso After Barcelona Win

Lewis Hamilton's maiden Ferrari victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix ended his winless run dating back to the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix and cut his deficit to championship leader Kimi Antonelli to just 41 points. Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya was quick to praise the seven-time champion, likening his mentality to that of Fernando Alonso.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's breakthrough followed back-to-back second-place finishes in Canada and Monaco, cementing a sudden resurgence in his 2026 campaign. Speaking on F1 TV, Montoya described the win as "unbelievable" and emphasized that when Hamilton smells victory, he becomes a different driver — a relentless approach he compared to the faith Aston Martin has in Alonso, noting that "if they can deliver a car, he's going to be the guy who can deliver."

The Details:

• Hamilton's three-stop strategy proved decisive at Barcelona, though Montoya believes the seven-time champion would have won even without the safety car intervention.
• The 41-year-old recently confronted self-doubt by openly examining his own performance rather than looking outward for excuses. Montoya praised this self-awareness as evidence of a champion's mentality.
• Ferrari is gaining momentum at a critical junction, with strong pace across the past three races suggesting the team has found a consistent competitive window.

What's next:

Ferrari is reportedly bringing a new engine and upgrades to Austria in two weeks, potentially giving Hamilton the tools to sustain his charge. Mercedes remains formidable, but if Hamilton carries this momentum through the summer, the 2026 title fight could tighten considerably.