Hamilton can 'stick the middle finger up' after Barcelona GP win - Norris

Lando Norris says it was a special experience to share the podium with Lewis Hamilton for his first Ferrari victory, and that the seven-time world champion can “stick the middle finger up” to his critics.

Hamilton won the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix to secure his first win for Ferrari, and close the gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli to 41 points. Hamilton failed to score a podium for Ferrari in his first season with the team in 2025, but this year he has three podiums in addition to the Barcelona win, and Norris said the victory answers back to any doubters.

“I think it’s pretty cool, it’s pretty special,” Norris said. “It’s nice. The last few weekends, he’s certainly seemed to have upped his game, and as much as it was something we once could kind of take advantage of and try and make the most of, it seems like he’s making the most of what he’s got now, and that’s cool to see.

“I grew up as a fan of Lewis and I don’t know if I would still say I’m like that kind of fan, but I’m still a fan of him. And as a seven-time world champion, it’s always a pleasure to see those kinds of things. And with Ferrari again, it’s even cooler to kind of see that partnership come through and pay dividends, as it is doing now. So, yeah, special.

“And also, to share the podium with him and then with George [Russell], to have three Brits up there – I think the first time since 1968, someone said – pretty special, pretty cool for us to represent our country that way.

“I’m happy for [Hamilton]. I hope he’s not this fast the whole season, because it would be nice if we could battle a bit more, but good for him. I think you could see how much it meant to him. At the same time, he’s obviously had a lot of people talk badly about him and he’s got a lot of crap online from a lot of people, so it’s nice that he can stick the middle finger up to all of them.”

Russell echoed Norris’ comments on Hamilton’s success, having seen his former teammate struggle during his first year away from Mercedes.

“(Norris and I) both sort of grew up as fans of Lewis, and for myself, spending three years together in Mercedes, so much respect,” Russell said. “It was a big, bold move to join Ferrari, and to see it now paying off for him is very special to see given the magnitude of the decision.

“He’s going to be a real threat. So, as Lando said, hopefully it doesn’t continue for too long.”