Lewis Hamilton qualifies second for Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
ESPN F1 • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 13, 2026, 6:28 PM
Last updated Jun 13, 2026

Lewis Hamilton qualified second for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, just 0.064 seconds behind George Russell, marking his best result since joining Ferrari. Hamilton noted that Ferrari's recent upgrades have closed the performance gap with Mercedes, leading him to declare that "the fight is on." Despite struggling in earlier practice sessions, Hamilton found a way to improve prior to qualifying. He acknowledged that the race may present challenges due to high tire degradation. Charles Leclerc crashed during qualifying, which affected Ferrari's overall performance at the event.
- •Hamilton qualifies second, Russell takes pole position
- •Ferrari's aerodynamics upgrades contribute to improved pace
- •High tire degradation expected during the race
- •Leclerc crashes during qualifying, affecting team performance
- •Hamilton seeks first win for Ferrari after joining in 2025
- 6:45 PMESPN F1 — 'Fight is on:' Ferrari's Hamilton to Russell
- 6:07 PMYahoo Sports — Fight is on for Hamilton as he and Russell reset successfully
- 6:03 PMBBC Sport — Fight is on for Hamilton as he and Russell reset successfully
"Lewis Hamilton surprised himself by joining former teammate George Russell on the front row of the grid for Sunday's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, and says Ferrari closing the gap to Mercedes is proof "the fight is on."
"Lewis Hamilton says "the fight is on" as he and fellow Briton George Russell prepare to start at the front in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
"Lewis Hamilton says "the fight is on" as he and fellow Briton George Russell prepare to start at the front in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
Sources
External links- ESPN F1Jun 13, 2026, 6:45 PM'Fight is on:' Ferrari's Hamilton to Russell
Lewis Hamilton surprised himself by joining former teammate George Russell on the front row of the grid for Sunday's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, and says Ferrari closing the gap to Mercedes is proof "the fight is on."
- Yahoo SportsJun 13, 2026, 6:07 PMFight is on for Hamilton as he and Russell reset successfully
Lewis Hamilton says "the fight is on" as he and fellow Briton George Russell prepare to start at the front in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
- BBC SportJun 13, 2026, 6:03 PMFight is on for Hamilton as he and Russell reset successfully
Lewis Hamilton says "the fight is on" as he and fellow Briton George Russell prepare to start at the front in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
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