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Back-to-Back Podiums: What We Learned in Barcelona

Circuit de Catalunya. The true test of a Formula One racing car, challenging every aspect of handling and performance.

In the midst of exam season, the Spanish Grand Prix was the harshest test W15 has sat this year. It passed with flying colours, and 27 points, one fewer than Canada two weeks ago.

Of the team’s 151 Constructors points to date in 10 rounds this season, more than a third have been scored in the past two races.

“A really great weekend,” said Lewis.

“We are not there yet but we have taken a huge step,” he added.

George added: “As a team our aim was to maximise what we could achieve today, and we did that with P3 and P4.”

Good Friday to Solid Saturday

Lewis and George locked out the second row – the best team Quali result of the season.

A thousandth of a second kept George from P4 in Imola. It was the same story a week later in Monaco. Just two tenths left Lewis six places behind polesitter George in Montreal. But in Spain we were very much in the mix.

The hard yards were put in by reserve driver Fred Vesti in the Sim in Brackley on Friday, a fine effort considering just six days earlier he had driven 12 of the 24 hours for his team at Le Mans on his event debut.

“The recent steps we have taken with the car are clearly helping, and we are looking to build on that tomorrow,” said George.

“We are starting to be more consistent and that is really huge for us. That is only down to every member of the team putting in the extra hours and I want to say a big thank you for that,” added Lewis.

Great Start and Great Racing

Last year George went from P12 to P7 by Turn Three. In 2024, he was leading the field. When was the last time the driver starting P4 led into Turn One? It does not happen often!

A rare move, but it was no fluke.

“We had a headwind so I knew I could brake late. It was satisfying and felt good to lead a race again,” said George.

“I was dreaming of making a move like I did into Turn One last night, but I did not think it would come to fruition in the way that it did!”

Whether George’s move around the outside of Norris while defending from the McLaren on older tyres, or Lewis’ ‘important’ surge up the inside of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari into Turn One, W15 got racy on Sunday afternoon.

Watching on from the garage, Toto approved.

“Lewis those were quite some moves, well done. Great to watch.”

Moving Closer to a Double Century

Lewis’ return to a Grand Prix podium was his second silverware of the season after finishing P2 in the China Sprint in April.

The 198th of the seven-time world champion’s career was his 149th with our Team in Brackley.

The traditional Soft-Medium-Soft strategy allowed Lewis clean air mid-race to maximise the pace from W15 beneath him.

“It has been a while since I was on the podium, so I am very happy. We are on our way to catching the guys ahead and that is great to see,” Lewis said.

“The team was mega all weekend and have made real improvements.”

His 12th appearance on the rostrum in Barcelona also equalled Michael Schumacher’s record at the circuit.

It was satisfying and felt good to lead a race again

George

Austria and Beyond

Looking ahead to the middle leg of the triple header in Spielberg this weekend, Toto says the optimism will remain.

“We are on a positive trajectory and it feels good to be back in the game,” he said.

“We are looking forward to the next two races and building on the momentum we are establishing.”

There will of course, be a Sprint weekend format to look forward to as well.

Setting Sail in Barcelona

Before hitting the track in Barcelona on Wednesday, Toto, Lewis, and George spent time at the INEOS Britannia sailing base with skipper Ben Ainslie and INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, as the crew prepares for the 37th America's Cup later this year.

The trio were given a tour of the facilities before Toto and George joined Sir Ben on the water.

The project has seen INEOS Sport and our own Applied Science division in Brackley come together to compete for the oldest international trophy in world sport.

Heritage Meets the Future

Prior to last weekend’s Grand Prix, the team were delighted to release our limited- edition clothing collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger and New York-based artist, author, and designer Clarence Ruth.

The 10-piece motorsport-inspired lifestyle collection is the perfect combination of vibrancy and style, and was modelled by Lewis, George, Mick, and Doriane throughout the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.

Add Tommy x Clarence Ruth to Your Collection Here

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