2026 Spanish GP: Antonelli wins after VSC twist

Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, with Max Verstappen second after Red Bull’s place-swap call and Lando Norris dropping to third.

Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at Formula 1’s first race on the Madring, with Max Verstappen second and Lando Norris third. BBC Sport, Formula1.com, Autosport and Motorsport.com all reported that the virtual safety car reshaped the race after Norris had started from pole and led the early laps.

Several outlets, including BBC Sport and Motorsport.com, reported that the VSC timing cost Norris track position and left him unable to recover the lead. Formula1.com, Autosport and Motorsport.com also reported that Red Bull instructed Verstappen to give places back during the race before he finished P2. Norris left Madrid fourth in the drivers' championship on 186 points, while his pole on Saturday was the 16th of his Formula 1 career.

Formula1.com and Motorsport.com reported that Lewis Hamilton retired for Ferrari with a brake problem, while Charles Leclerc finished fourth. Formula1.com also reported that Oscar Piastri ended the race eighth after a first-lap incident, on a weekend that produced another win for Mercedes, the constructor now credited with 138 victories across 19 Formula 1 seasons.