2026 Spanish GP: Antonelli wins after VSC twist

Andrea Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix for Mercedes after a virtual safety car hurt polesitter Lando Norris at Formula 1's first Madring race.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix for Mercedes after a virtual safety car swung the race away from Lando Norris, as reported by BBC Sport and Autosport. Autosport also reported that Formula 1 was racing at the Madring for the first time, while Norris had taken pole by 0.011s from Antonelli on Saturday. Antonelli arrived in Spain leading the drivers' championship on 292 points; Norris was fourth on 186.

BBC Sport and Autosport reported that Norris controlled the opening phase before the VSC changed the picture. Motorsport.com reported that the neutralisation followed Lance Stroll's retirement, and that Norris had already gone past the pit entry when the call was made. RaceFans reported that Norris later backed McLaren's decision to pit him as soon as the VSC was deployed.

The victory was Antonelli's eighth of the 2026 season, according to Motorsport.com and RaceFans. That added to a career record that stood at five wins before 2026, while Mercedes continued a season in which its title contender has set the pace at the top of the standings.