Antonelli wins Spanish GP as Norris loses Madring victory to strategy

Kimi Antonelli won Formula 1’s first Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring after a race shaped by tyre decisions, a virtual safety car and limited opportunities to overtake. Lando Norris started from pole and controlled the opening phase, but a poorly timed McLaren pitstop dropped him deep into traffic and ultimately cost him victory.

A chaotic opening and early retirements

Verstappen argued that he had taken evasive action because of Hamilton’s driving, but Red Bull instructed him to avoid a penalty. He therefore allowed Antonelli and Hamilton through on lap four. Moments later, Hamilton reported braking problems, lost pace, ran off track and retired after being repeatedly asked to pit.

Lance Stroll’s brake issue caused the virtual safety car on lap 13. Antonelli, Verstappen and George Russell stopped, while Norris and Charles Leclerc stayed out. Norris was called in as the VSC ended, despite having the option to remain on track, and a slow stop left him fifth—16 seconds behind Leclerc and 14 seconds from Antonelli.

The strategic consequences were central to the race, as outlined in our 2026 Spanish Grand Prix strategy analysis.

Ferrari waits, but no neutralisation arrives

Leclerc delayed his only stop in the hope of another safety-car intervention. None came. He eventually pitted on lap 48 for soft tyres, but emerged in a gap between the leading trio and Russell.

Antonelli briefly closed on Leclerc before reporting that his steering felt strange, yet the Mercedes driver recovered as the leaders converged. With four cars within four seconds by lap 45, the race appeared poised for a late fight, but the Madring offered little room for attack.

Verstappen cut the Turn 5 chicane while dealing with backmarker traffic on the penultimate lap, but Norris could not capitalise. Antonelli pulled clear to win, while Leclerc narrowly held fourth from Russell. Liam Lawson was sixth, Franco Colapinto seventh and Oscar Piastri eighth after early front-wing damage.

Pierre Gasly’s long hard-tyre stint ended with a late green-flag stop, dropping him to 12th. Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad and Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg completed the remaining points scorers, while Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz collided over 17th, with Sainz receiving a five-second penalty.