f1
Nico Rosberg sprays champagne over his Mercedes Formula One team-mate Lewis Hamilton after he won the Spanish F1 Grand Prix at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit Reuters

All Spanish newspapers heaped praise on British star Lewis Hamilton after he won his fourth consecutive victory at the Grand Prix of Spain for the first time to go top of F1 drivers' championship – in a race he dominated from start to finish after securing pole position. Ferrari and Fernando Alonso were however severely criticised.

Hamilton dethroned his team-mate, German Nico Rosberg, who finished second. Australian Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) completed the podium in third place – and the German champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) finished fourth after climbing from fifteenth position.

El Mundo roared: "Overwhelming Hamilton," as Hamilton won for the first time in Montmelo and lead the championship ahead of his team-mate Nico Rosberg. Its reporters also claimed: "Hamilton wants to be Spanish," and said the race meant "one step back for Ferrari team".

El Periodico claimed: "Hamilton takes over the championship," "Ferrari are not up to the championship," and "Mercedes do not let up in Montmelo." "British Champion defeats teammate Rosberg, while [Fernando] Alonso could only finish sixth and it is a double by the two Mercedes."

Related

El Confidencial said: "Hamilton conquers Spain, takes the lead and smashes Ferrari by doubling [Kimi] Raikkonen," and described the race as a "new Mercedes' recital." It also claimed that "the nerves showed a Hamilton wary of Mercedes" as the new leader of the competition showed concern over the team radio and, through questions, tested his own team and lived with tension in the final part of the race, when Nico was faster.

El Mundo Deportivo boasted: "Ferrari must already be thinking about next year." Meanwhile, Sport said: "Hamilton and Rosberg give another double to Mercedes."

Marca screamed: "Hamilton already has the reins of the championship," and "Hamilton imposes his law in Montmelo." Daily AS described Ferrari's defeat as a humiliation: "Fourth consecutive win for Hamilton," "Mercedes humiliate Ferrari."