Andrea Kimi Antonelli gives an encore after Monza and also triumphs in the 2026 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix. The Bolognese Mercedes driver expertly manages a very tight race and fends off the final assault attempt by the Dutchman Max Verstappen, who achieved an excellent second place aboard his Red Bull. The podium is completed by the McLaren of the British Lando Norris, who fails to capitalize on his pole position also due to the timing of the virtual safety. Ferrari still remains outside the top 3, with the Monegasque Charles Leclerc finishing fourth after waiting in vain for a red flag. The British Lewis Hamilton, however, left the scene on lap seven due to a brake problem. Fifth position for the other Mercedes of British George Russell, who now slips to -81 in the standings behind teammate Antonelli. Excellent performance by the Argentinian Franco Colapinto, who brings Alpine to seventh place behind Liam Lawson’s Red Bull. Also in the top 10 were Oscar Piastri (McLaren), Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) and Nico Hulkenberg (Audi). Formula 1 will return to the track on the weekend of September 26th in Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Antonelli: “Difficult race, nice to win but Norris deserved it”
«It was a very difficult, non-linear race. I tried to manage the tyres, it’s always nice to win but today Lando deserved the victory (Norris, disadvantaged by a virtual safety car while he was leading, ed.). With the hard tire in the end we continued to push. It was an incredible weekend, we can’t wait to return.” These are the words of Kimi Antonelli after the victory in the Spanish Grand Prix.
The twenty-year-old from Bologna extends further in the drivers’ standings, reaching 292 points, with an 81 point advantage over his teammate Russell, who rises to 211. Lewis Hamilton, however, remains stationary at 191. «I have to keep pushing race after race trying to do my best, then we’ll see what the result will be at the end of the year without thinking about the ranking», comments Antonelli.