Lewis Hamilton loved a return to the Components One podium with Mercedes on Sunday however stated his greatest results of the season and the group’s enchancment didn’t make him remorse his transfer to Ferrari subsequent 12 months.

The seven-time world champion completed third at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, with teammate George Russell fourth, to safe his first podium since final October and a record-extending 198th of his profession.

“That is one of the best weekend I’ve had all 12 months, and for an extended, very long time, for like 15 races or one thing loopy,” Hamilton advised reporters.

“It is good to be again, it is good to have battles like at present, it is good to reassert and reaffirm.”

The Briton made an incredible overtake on Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, the Spaniard he’ll substitute subsequent 12 months, and likewise overtook Russell.

Crew boss Toto Wolff, accused earlier this month in an nameless e mail of sabotaging Hamilton, stated it was good to see the Briton having an incredible weekend.

“It has been some time that he was on the receiving finish and technique had labored towards him and at present that was in his favour.

“So I am joyful that now we have that podium for him.”

Hamilton stated he had no second ideas a couple of transfer, introduced earlier than the beginning of the season, to a Ferrari with evident work to do. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz had been fifth and sixth after a double retirement in Canada.

“My job subsequent 12 months will probably be to start out with the opposite group, and they’re doing an incredible job. They’ve had a tough couple of races however let’s not neglect that they had a race win in Monaco,” he added.

“I do not know what’s incorrect with their automobile and why they’re within the place they’re in. However it does not make me second-guess my resolution in any respect.”

Mercedes had been additionally quick in Barcelona final 12 months, with Hamilton second and Russell third behind Verstappen.

Russell secured his first podium of the 2024 season in Canada two weeks in the past however he stated then that third place felt like a missed alternative after he had certified on pole place.