According to Formula1.nl reporting on September 13, 2026, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit in Madrid, securing his eighth victory of the season and extending his championship lead. Antonelli finished ahead of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen in second and McLaren driver Lando Norris in third, following a race shaped by a chaotic start, strategic pit stops under a Virtual Safety Car, and multiple high-profile driver retirements.
Madring Circuit Start and Early Drama for Verstappen and Hamilton
The race at the 30-degree Celsius Madrid circuit began with chaos on the grid involving members of Real Madrid, including Denzel Dumfries, according to Formula1.nl. When the lights went out, pole-sitter Lando Norris retained his lead in the McLaren. Max Verstappen started on used soft tyres from third place and nearly lost a position to Lewis Hamilton, forcing him to cut the first corner. Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase instructed him over the radio to return the position to Hamilton, a command Verstappen questioned on the radio before letting both Hamilton and Antonelli pass. Verstappen quickly overtook Hamilton again to reclaim third place. Meanwhile, Hamilton reported hitting the wall and suffering brake problems, ultimately retiring his Mercedes in the eighth ronde.
Virtual Safety Car Strategy Shifts the Race Order
A Virtual Safety Car deployed in ronde 15 after Lance Stroll crashed into the wall upended the strategies of the front-runners. According to Formula1.nl, Verstappen and Antonelli immediately pitted for hard tyres, executing what was scheduled to be their stop. Race leader Norris stayed out but suffered a slow pit stop once he eventually came in, dropping to fifth place behind Charles Leclerc, Antonelli, Verstappen, and George Russell. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc inherited the lead on hard tyres and maintained the front position through the middle stint of the race while Antonelli tracked him closely.
Late Race Pit Stop Hands Antonelli the Victory
Charles Leclerc held the lead until ronde 48, when he finally made his mandatory pit stop, dropping to fourth behind Norris. That move promoted Kimi Antonelli to the race lead and Max Verstappen to second place. In the closing stages, Verstappen fended off pressure from Norris, while world champion reigning competitor Norris finished third. George Russell finished fifth after serving two stops, and other retirements included Carlos Sainz and Sergio Pérez, with Sainz receiving a time penalty for an incident with Fernando Alonso, as reported by Formula1.nl.
Did you know? Kimi Antonelli’s victory at the Madring marks his eighth win of the 2026 Formula 1 season, giving the young Italian a commanding lead in the World Drivers’ Championship standings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring?
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the race, with Max Verstappen finishing second and Lando Norris taking third, according to Formula1.nl.
What caused Lewis Hamilton to retire?
Lewis Hamilton sustained early contact with the wall at the start, suffered brake problems, and officially retired his Mercedes in the eighth ronde.
Which drivers failed to finish the race?
According to Formula1.nl reports, Lewis Hamilton, Lance Stroll, Sergio Pérez, and Carlos Sainz all failed to finish the Spanish Grand Prix.
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