SportyTV | Antonelli triumphs at Madring after Norris' virtual safety car misfortune

Kimi Antonelli recorded his eighth Formula One victory of 2026 at the Spanish Grand Prix to extend his championship lead after Lando Norris' misfortune.

Norris started on pole position and was leading comfortably heading into lap 15 when the virtual safety car was called due to Lance Stroll stopping in a run-off area, after the world champion had passed the pit entry.

As such, Antonelli and Max Verstappen were able to save time and pit under the VSC, with Norris unable to employ a similar strategy.

When the McLaren driver did come in, his stop was slow, and he rejoined in fifth place, unable to put championship leader Antonelli under any real pressure at Madring.

Norris eventually crossed the line in third, on the tail of second-place Verstappen, who defended his place valiantly.

Charles Leclerc finished just outside the podium places, having led the race after being kept out for as long as possible, but he reemerged in fourth.

George Russell placed fifth, denting his championship hopes further as he now sits 81 points behind Mercedes team-mate Antonelli with nine races left.

Lewis Hamilton is also further off the pace after suffering his first retirement of the season due to terminal brake issues on the seventh lap.

Liam Lawson finished sixth, with Franco Colapinto coming ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri. Arvid Lindblad and Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top 10.

List of F1 winners at the Madring:
Kimi Antonelli.

That's it, that's the list. pic.twitter.com/uKrhN6LVFq
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) September 13, 2026

Antonelli opens up more breathing space

After impressing with an astounding victory at the Italian Grand Prix last time out, Antonelli has followed that up with another big win in Madrid.

While he profited from McLaren's bad luck, he also kept the pressure on the top when he was not in the lead, never letting up any pressure on Leclerc until the Ferrari had to pit.

Only Alberto Ascari (13) has recorded more Grand Prix wins among Italian drivers, with Antonelli bringing up his eighth of the season.

Heading into this race, Hamilton was the only driver in 2026 who had completed 100% of the laps (798), but that run came to an end as he endured a frustrating weekend in Spain.

TOP 10

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. George Russell (Mercedes)

6. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

7. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

8. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

9. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

10. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS