Eighth Win of the Season! Antonelli Wins Inaugural Madrid GP

Kimi Antonelli is Formula 1's first Grand Prix winner in Madrid.

The Italian championship leader wins the Spanish Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) and pole-sitter Lando Norris (McLaren).

Mercedes teammate George Russell has to settle for fifth place and loses points in the championship standings again. With nine races remaining in the season, Antonelli now has an 81-point lead over the Briton.

Antonelli attacks Norris without success

The start provides the greatest tension of the entire race.

Lando Norris successfully defends his pole position against Antonelli. The young star attacks the reigning world champion twice, but has to cut the corner each time to prevent a crash.

The second time, Verstappen is the big beneficiary, moving past the championship leader into second place. At the front, Norris quickly extends his lead.

Verstappen reluctantly yields

Shortly thereafter, Verstappen is in the spotlight.

The Dutchman is instructed by his pit crew to drop behind Hamilton – at this point in 4th place – as it was assumed that the Red Bull driver had gained an unfair advantage over his rival in Turn 1.

After much resistance, Verstappen eventually lets both Antonelli and Hamilton pass in Lap 4.

However, seconds later, the stewards announce that the four-time champion would not have received a penalty at all, as he was already ahead of Hamilton at the corner entry and had prevented a collision with the Ferrari star by cutting the corner.

Hamilton out with brake problems

For Hamilton, the Grand Prix is over on Lap 7.

The Briton heads to his garage due to severe brake problems and has to retire. Earlier, the veteran had to use the escape road at Turn 20.

Antonelli and Verstappen profit from VSC phase

The race-deciding moment occurs on Lap 14: After Hamilton, Lance Stroll also reports brake problems; the Canadian drives straight into the escape road at Turn 20 – and cannot get out.

The Virtual Safety Car is deployed when Norris has already passed the pit lane entry. Behind him, Antonelli and Verstappen are able to turn in on time and gain a significant advantage from the situation.

Norris is called into the pits on the following lap, but the VSC phase is already over by then. Thus, Charles Leclerc, who had completely forgone a pit stop and took the lead, Antonelli, and Verstappen all move past the McLaren driver.

Leclerc ahead until late pit stop

The remainder of the Grand Prix on the "Madring" street circuit unfolds without major incident.

Antonelli completely refrains from attacking Leclerc and maintains sufficient distance to adequately conserve his hard tires – knowing that the Monegasque driver still has to complete his mandatory pit stop during the race.

The Ferrari driver therefore remains in the lead until Lap 48, after his trip to the pit lane, Antonelli takes over the leading position. Leclerc, meanwhile, finishes the race in fourth place.

Antonelli manages lead, Verstappen keeps Norris behind

Verstappen and Norris are only one and two seconds, respectively, behind the young Italian at this point.

With a clear track, Antonelli creates enough distance between himself and the Dutchman, who in turn manages to keep Norris behind until the final crossing of the finish line.

Thus, after his home victory last week in Monza, Antonelli once again stands on the top step of the podium and heads to the next Grand Prix in two weeks in Baku, Azerbaijan, with a significant points cushion.