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via PlanetF1Antonelli’s honest admission after Verstappen and Norris Spanish GP turning pointsKimi Antonelli achieved his eighth career win at the Spanish Grand Prix, but he expressed mixed feelings about the victory. He highlighted that Lando Norris's unfortunate pit stop during a Virtual Safety Car and Max Verstappen's situation with Lewis Hamilton significantly influenced the race's outcome, allowing him to take the lead and ultimately win.
Despite the win, Antonelli felt that his performance did not warrant the victory, admitting that Norris had driven better throughout the race. He acknowledged areas for improvement in his own driving and looked forward to the next race in Baku.
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli wins 2026 Spanish Grand PrixKimi Antonelli secured his first victory at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix held in Madrid, while Lando Norris expressed disappointment over his misfortune during the race. The event showcased a competitive field, with driver ratings reflecting the performances of the participants.
via espn.comLando Norris criticises Virtual Safety Car rulesLando Norris has described the Virtual Safety Car rules as 'unfair' after losing the Spanish Grand Prix to Kimi Antonelli. Norris held a six-second lead when the Virtual Safety Car was deployed, which ultimately affected his race outcome.
via theguardian.comSpanish GP plans to change Madring after fierce criticism from F1 driversFollowing the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring, there are plans to modify the circuit due to significant criticism from drivers. The race, which saw Kimi Antonelli take victory, was characterized by a lack of overtaking opportunities, leading to disappointment among competitors and fans alike. Drivers like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen highlighted the need for design changes to enhance racing excitement and facilitate overtaking.
Discussions regarding potential alterations to the track layout are already underway, with the circuit's management open to suggestions. Despite the logistical success of the event, the racing experience fell short of expectations, prompting calls for improvements to ensure a more thrilling competition in future races.
via F1iNorris’ cola clash – tells F1 ‘I’m allowed to drink what I want’Lando Norris faced a challenging race at the Spanish Grand Prix, ultimately finishing in third place after a Virtual Safety Car disrupted his strategy. Despite the setback, he made headlines for his casual attitude towards corporate sponsorships when he was questioned about drinking Coca-Cola before the podium ceremony, as Formula 1 has ties with rival beverage company PepsiCo.
Norris's lighthearted response to the official's concern resonated with fans, who quickly shared the moment online, elevating him to a folk-hero status. The incident highlighted a growing sentiment among fans who appreciate drivers expressing their personalities beyond corporate constraints, suggesting a shift in how athletes engage with their brands.
via gpfans.comLando Norris expresses frustration after Spanish Grand PrixLando Norris voiced his disappointment following a challenging race at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he felt a virtual safety car impacted his chances of victory. The driver also engaged in a tense exchange with a journalist regarding the race's events.
via RaceFansLando Norris defends McLaren's pit strategy in SpainLando Norris has expressed confidence in McLaren's decision to pit him during the Virtual Safety Car period at the Spanish Grand Prix. However, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer criticized the move, suggesting it ultimately contributed to Norris's defeat.
via Motorsport.comWho slept best last night: Lando NorrisLando Norris faced a disappointing outcome at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he lost what seemed to be a certain victory due to a virtual safety car triggered by Lance Stroll's car. Norris had a comfortable lead of six seconds over Kimi Antonelli but was unable to capitalize on a pit stop opportunity when the safety car was deployed, ultimately leading to his loss of position and the race win.
Despite the setback, Norris remained optimistic and acknowledged his team's performance, expressing confidence in his ability to continue delivering strong results. He reflected on the nature of racing luck, noting that he too had benefited from fortunate circumstances in the past, and emphasized his growth as a driver since his first win in Miami.
via PlanetF1Spanish GP conclusions: Imaginary Hamilton challenge over, Norris joins elite, soulless MadringKimi Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Spanish Grand Prix, solidifying his lead in the championship standings. His win came after Lando Norris, who was leading, lost his position due to a virtual safety car, allowing Max Verstappen to finish second. Antonelli's performance has positioned him as a strong contender for the world championship, with a significant points gap over his closest rival, George Russell.
Lando Norris has demonstrated significant growth as a driver, particularly highlighted by his recent victory at the Dutch Grand Prix. His ability to seize opportunities on the track has improved, as evidenced by his strategic overtaking of Antonelli during that race. With his recent performances, Norris is now regarded as one of the elite drivers in Formula 1, showcasing a newfound confidence that has elevated his racing capabilities.Ben Sulayem claims Alonso has decided to stayFIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has revealed that Fernando Alonso has privately assured him of his intention to remain in Formula 1. Despite this claim, Alonso has yet to make an official announcement, and discussions with Aston Martin regarding a new contract are reportedly complex, with financial terms and regulatory dissatisfaction being key issues.
Alonso expressed his feelings about the Madrid GP, stating he was unsure if it would be his last race in Spain. He also highlighted the need for improvements in the current F1 product, indicating that his discussions with the FIA are separate from his personal decision. Additionally, Alonso's race was marred by an incident with Carlos Sainz, who received a penalty for the contact.Reliability now Antonelli’s main rival – WolffToto Wolff highlighted that reliability issues may pose the biggest challenge to Kimi Antonelli's pursuit of the 2026 world championship after he secured a victory in Madrid, extending his lead to 81 points. Despite acknowledging that Lando Norris was the faster driver during the race, Antonelli remains focused on maintaining his performance without adopting a defensive strategy.
Wolff emphasized the importance of addressing mechanical reliability, as the team has experienced fragility in their car and engine this season. While competitors like George Russell and Lando Norris recognize Antonelli's dominance, Ralf Schumacher cautioned against complacency, noting that unforeseen issues could still arise, especially with a car update planned for the next race.
via f1chronicle.comHow Lando Norris Produced a Madring Pole Lap His Own Boss Called Nearly UnrepeatableLando Norris achieved pole position for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring, narrowly beating Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. This victory marks Norris's 19th career pole and his third of the 2026 season. Despite facing challenges throughout the weekend, including a gearbox issue that limited his practice time, Norris delivered an impressive lap that team principal Andrea Stella praised as nearly unrepeatable, especially considering the time lost at the final corner due to tire wear.
The qualifying session was marked by a mix of excitement and disappointment, with notable drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finishing fourth and fifth, respectively. The session also saw home favorites Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso eliminated early, adding to the drama of the event. As the drivers' championship remains competitive, Norris's performance highlights his ability to convert pole positions into race victories, continuing a successful trend this season.
via racer.comMadring’s first Spanish GP was more smoke than fire, but can a few tweaks light it up?The inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring Circuit was marked by a lack of overtaking, leading to criticism from drivers and teams. Despite some moments of excitement, such as Liam Lawson's overtaking maneuver, the overall racing action was minimal, particularly after the opening lap. Lando Norris, who lost his lead due to a poorly timed Virtual Safety Car, highlighted the need for track changes to enhance overtaking opportunities, while Kimi Antonelli echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for revisions to certain corners.
Drivers and team principals expressed a willingness to collaborate with race organizers on potential modifications for the future. Mercedes' Toto Wolff noted the circuit's challenging nature and the importance of creating a layout that allows for more competitive racing. The feedback from the drivers has been well-received, and there is optimism that adjustments can be made to improve the racing experience at Madring for the next event.
via Formula1.comWhat the teams said – Race day in SpainThe 2026 Spanish Grand Prix saw Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes take victory after a strategic pit stop during a Virtual Safety Car period, marking his eighth win of the season. George Russell, also from Mercedes, finished fifth after a challenging race that involved two pit stops, while Max Verstappen from Red Bull secured second place, demonstrating strong race pace despite some early challenges.
Liam Lawson, also from Red Bull, finished sixth after starting on hard tires and facing difficulties with his strategy. The race highlighted the importance of timing and strategy, particularly with the Virtual Safety Car impacting the outcomes for several drivers. Mercedes expressed satisfaction with their performance at the new Madring circuit, while Red Bull acknowledged the strong efforts from their drivers.
via gpfans.comGuenther Steiner criticises Lando Norris's behaviourGuenther Steiner has expressed disapproval of Lando Norris's actions in the cooldown room following the Spanish Grand Prix. Norris, who finished third in the race, reportedly reacted strongly to an F1 official, stating he would act as he pleased.
via Sky Sports F1'There's no stopping Antonelli' - Hamilton says 2026 F1 title bid is overLewis Hamilton faced a setback in his 2026 title bid after retiring early from the Spanish Grand Prix due to a brake-pedal issue. This retirement allowed Kimi Antonelli to secure his eighth victory of the season, further extending his lead in the championship standings over his Mercedes teammate George Russell.
Despite his significant lead, Antonelli remains focused on a race-by-race approach rather than contemplating the championship. Hamilton's early retirement has left him 101 points behind Antonelli, while Lando Norris trails Hamilton by five points in the standings.
via the-race.comLando Norris criticises virtual safety car rulesLando Norris has called for changes to Formula 1's virtual safety car rules, describing them as 'unfair' after losing the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix to Kimi Antonelli. Norris believes the current regulations negatively impacted his chances of victory.
via Formula1.comStella outlines the logic behind Norris’ ‘unlucky’ stopLando Norris' performance in the Spanish Grand Prix was significantly impacted by the timing of a Virtual Safety Car, which led to a late pit stop that ultimately resulted in a third-place finish. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella explained that the decision to pit was made because staying out would have meant using worn tyres, which would have forced Norris to pit later behind competitors who had already switched to fresher hard tyres.
Despite the disappointment of not winning, Stella expressed optimism about the team's progress throughout the season, highlighting Norris' strong pace and competitive performance. He noted that the timing of the Virtual Safety Car was unfortunate but emphasized that the team remains positive about their future prospects in the championship.
via racer.com‘Today we didn’t deserve to win,’ Antonelli admits after lucking out in MadridKimi Antonelli secured victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, but he expressed that he did not feel deserving of the win due to the circumstances surrounding the race. The deployment of a Virtual Safety Car after Lance Stroll's car stopped allowed Antonelli to pit while Norris, who was leading, missed the chance to do so, resulting in a significant disadvantage for him.
Antonelli reflected on his performance, admitting he was too aggressive at the start and acknowledged that he could have finished in a lower position. Despite extending his lead in the championship standings to 81 points, he emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and continuing to deliver strong results as the season progresses.
via Motorsport.comThe step-by-step story of how Lando Norris' Spanish GP miss played out under the VSCDuring the Spanish Grand Prix, Lando Norris was leading the race when Lance Stroll's car stopped, leading to a yellow flag. Norris, who had a significant lead, did not pit preemptively, and the virtual safety car was called just moments after he passed the pit entry. This timing meant that Norris missed the opportunity for a cheap pit stop, while Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen took advantage of the VSC to switch tires and gain positions.
As a result of the VSC, Norris had to pit after it ended, which cost him his lead in the race. Antonelli and Verstappen emerged from their pit stops in better positions, ultimately allowing Antonelli to secure victory, while Norris's strategy backfired, leading to a missed opportunity for a win.Page 8 of 27













