Kimi Antonelli Outpaces Norris, Max To Win Spanish GP

 

Kimi Antonelli defied early challenges to win the Spanish Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen finishing on the podium as Lewis Hamilton retired over engine issues. 

The Italian driver extended his Grand Prix victories to eight this season. He set the fastest time in 1:32:24.754. It was his maiden Spanish Grand Prix victory and his second consecutive race win after the Italian GP.

The new tracks of Madring Sur witnessed an eventful race. From a virtual safety car to Hamilton's engine failure, it was moderately incident-free. Both Antonelli and Verstappen had to avoid penalties and give up track position. McLaren couldn't make the most of the early advantages and missed the podium. 

Pole-setter Lando Norris started off, warding off Antonelli's aggression, and the Mercedes driver had to give up position twice to Norris for running wide to get ahead. The F1 defending champion later lost the front row when he missed driving into the pit lane after a virtual safety car was deployed when Lance Stroll ran into the wall. He lost track position, dropping to fourth on Lap 16. 

Verstappen also had an eventful start. The Red Bull driver ran wide to get ahead of Hamilton and was instructed to give up position: Hamilton was trailing in third behind Antonelli while Verstappen was in provisional P2. He dropped four places to give up track position. 

Ferrari's decision to pit Charles Leclerc late into the race cost the driver track position as Antonelli overtook him and led into the race from Lap 49. Verstappen held off Norris' challenge in the latter stages to keep track position. 

Antonelli now leads the F1 Championship race with 291 points. He became the first Italian driver to win at Monza since 1966, after Ludovico Scarfiotti.

Spanish Grand Prix Top 10

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. George Russell (Mercedes)

6. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

7. Frances Colapinto (Alpine)

8. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

9. Arvid Lindblad (RB)

10. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)