Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s new Madring circuit on Sunday, September 13, 2026, extending his world championship lead to 81 points after pole-sitter Lando Norris lost a commanding lead due to virtual safety car timing and a slow pit stop.
Kimi Antonelli Victory and Madring Circuit Debut
Formula 1 returned to the Madrid region for the first time with a dramatic afternoon at the Madring circuit, where Kimi Antonelli claimed his eighth victory of the season. The 20-year-old Italian navigated a chaotic opening lap and capitalized on a pivotal race-altering strategy swing to finish 4.3 seconds clear of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Antonelli now has 292 points compared to his closest rival and teammate George Russell, who finished fifth, on 211.
How Lando Norris Lost a Dominant Lead at the Madring
Lando Norris had converted his Saturday pole position into a masterclass at the front, controlling the pace and pulling out a 6.2-second advantage by Lap 14 over his rivals. The McLaren driver looked fully on course to repeat his dominant recent victories before Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll stopped in a run-off area at Turn 20, bringing out a Virtual Safety Car.
That single incident fractured the race. Because Norris had just passed the pit-lane entry when the VSC deployed, he could not pit immediately while running to a controlled reduced speed on track while marshals moved Stroll’s car. Antonelli, Verstappen, and Mercedes teammate George Russell seized the opening, ducking into the pits for cheap pit stops under the reduced speeds.
Norris did come in a lap later, just after the race had gone green again, and he then lost more time to a slow pit stop, emerging in fifth place. McLaren called Norris to pit on lap 16 right as the VSC period was ending, missing his free stop that the majority of the field took, and his chance of victory ended with that long 7-second stop. Despite a fierce recovery drive, Norris had to make do with third place.
“There was nothing I could do… just luck not on our side,” said Norris. “I felt like we deserved it today, but that’s racing sometimes.”
Lando Norris
Ferrari Strategy and Charles Leclerc Tire Gamble
Ferrari’s Bold Strategy and Antonelli’s Steady Drive to Victory
While the front-runners split under the VSC, Ferrari opted for a high-stakes gamble with Charles Leclerc. Leclerc led the majority of the race on hard tires, choosing to roll the dice and not pit with the field following what would be the only VSC of the race. Leclerc, who didn’t box during the VSC, gave up on his hopes for a Safety Car and finally peeled into the pits after 48 laps.
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Antonelli inherited control once Leclerc pitted. The opening laps saw plenty of clashes up and down the field, with Norris narrowly holding onto the lead from pole position as Antonelli cut two corners during his concerted efforts to pass the Briton, leading the Italian to twice having to give up a position. Max Verstappen also had to give up a position—having jumped Lewis Hamilton back at turn one by running off track—before Antonelli ultimately didn’t need to overtake him on track thanks to the Virtual Safety Car. Antonelli admitted to worries with his steering.
“Not straightforward at all,” Antonelli said about the race. “Especially trying to match tires. But yeah, I think today is good to win, but it doesn’t feel as good because I think Lando today deserved the win, but overall, we take it.”
Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes Constructors Standings and World Championship Points
Championship Standings After the Inaugural Madrid Round
The race stretched Antonelli’s world championship points lead over his Mercedes teammate George Russell from 66 points to 81, while Mercedes leads the constructors’ standings on 503 points, 145 clear of Ferrari, with nine rounds remaining in the 2026 season. Antonelli celebrated his eighth win of the season after 14 rounds at Madrid’s new circuit.
“Let’s keep pushing,” Antonelli said over his team radio after the win.
Kimi Antonelli
