2026 Spanish GP: VSC timing costs Norris

BBC Sport and Autosport reported that Lando Norris lost the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix after virtual safety car timing swung the race to Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

BBC Sport and Autosport reported that Andrea Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix after virtual safety car timing went against Lando Norris. Autosport also reported that Formula 1 was racing at the Madring for the first time, while its qualifying coverage said Norris had taken pole position by 0.011s from Antonelli.

BBC Sport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans reported that the virtual safety car was triggered by Lance Stroll’s retirement. Those outlets said Norris pitted immediately after the intervention and lost out through the timing, while Motorsport.com reported McLaren did not blame race control for the outcome.

Antonelli arrived in Madrid leading the 2026 drivers’ championship on 292 points. Norris started the weekend fourth on 186, and the McLaren driver came into the event with 11 wins and 16 poles from 161 Grands Prix, while Antonelli had five wins and five poles from 33 entries.