Italian driver wins Spanish Grand Prix for Formula 1 races

Madrid, Sept 13 (KUNA) – Italian driver Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes won the Spanish Grand Prix, held in the Spanish capital Madrid on Sunday, finishing ahead of Dutch driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull and British driver Lando Norris of McLaren, thereby strengthening his lead in the world championship.

The official website of the event stated that Antonelli secured his eighth Grand Prix victory of the season after mastering the strategic race at the new Madrid circuit. His Mercedes teammate, George Russell, finished fifth.

World champion Norris started from pole position and initially led the race but fell behind Antonelli and Verstappen following a slow pit stop.

Meanwhile, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc finished fourth, and Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson took sixth place in the 57-lap race held on the 5.4-kilometer Madrid circuit.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari retired early due to a brake problem, losing crucial points in the championship battle.

With his victory, 20-year-old Antonelli increased his tally to 292 points, extending his lead over teammate Russell, who has 211 points, by 81 points. Hamilton sits third with 191 points, followed by Norris with 186 points, Leclerc with 167 points, and Verstappen with 145 points.

The Madrid race was the 16th round of the 2026 season, which comprises 24 Grands Prix. The championship now moves to Azerbaijan, where the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held at the Baku circuit from September 25 to 27.

The Madrid race holds historical significance as the first Formula 1 event in the Spanish capital in 45 years. This return follows the holding of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix last June, making Spain one of the few countries to host two races on the Formula 1 calendar this year.

(End) H.N.D./N.S.A.