Norris says Hamilton 'can stick middle finger up' to doubters after Barcelona win

Lando Norris believes that Lewis Hamilton “can stick the middle finger up” to his doubters following his victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

Hamilton’s maiden campaign as a Ferrari driver in 2025 saw him go without a win or a podium – marking the first season of his career where he did not stand on the rostrum – while the Briton’s struggles led him to label himself as “absolutely useless” at one stage of the campaign.

However, the start of 2026 has proven much happier for the partnership, Hamilton taking three top-three finishes across the opening races before scoring a triumphant victory in Barcelona – his first since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix and his maiden win with the Scuderia.

Hamilton was joined on the podium by former Mercedes team mate George Russell and Norris, marking the first all-British rostrum since the 1968 United States Grand Prix.

Sharing his thoughts on Hamilton achieving his first win as a Ferrari driver, Norris said: “I think pretty cool. It’s pretty special. 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 kind of pay dividends, as it is doing now. So, yeah, special.”

Norris spoke of his pride at standing on the rostrum with Hamilton and Russell, as well as reflecting on how Hamilton’s win might serve as an answer to those who doubted him during the ups and downs of last season.

“To share the podium with him and then with George, to have three Brits up there, I think the first time since 1968 – pretty special, pretty cool for us to represent our country that way,” Norris continued.

“And, yeah, I’m happy for him. 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.”