Kimi Antonelli wins the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix
Italian Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, held at the new Madring circuit in Madrid, Spain. It was his eighth victory of the season, extending his lead in the drivers' standings to 81 points after 14 rounds, The National reports.
Virtual safety car
McLaren driver Lando Norris started from pole position, leading at the beginning of the race and gradually pulling away from his rivals. The situation changed on lap 15, when Aston Martin's Lance Stroll stopped on the track and the virtual safety car was deployed.
At that moment, Norris had already passed the pit-lane entrance. Antonelli, Max Verstappen and George Russell made quick pit stops, while Norris was only able to enter the pits one lap later, when the regime had already ended. McLaren fitted him with hard tyres, but the pit stop lasted seven seconds. The Briton returned to the track in fifth place, effectively fourth, as Charles Leclerc had not yet stopped.
On a track where overtaking was almost impossible, Norris was unable to get back into the fight for victory. After the finish, he said he had driven a perfect race, but luck was not on his side.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Race results
Antonelli crossed the finish line 4.3 seconds ahead of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. Norris took third place, another 0.7 seconds behind Verstappen. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was fourth, while Antonelli's Mercedes teammate George Russell finished fifth.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton had brake problems and retired. Red Bull's Liam Lawson finished sixth, Alpine's Franco Colapinto seventh, and McLaren's Oscar Piastri eighth. Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad took ninth place, while Audi's Nico Hülkenberg was tenth.
After the victory, Antonelli has 292 points. Russell, his closest rival in the championship, has scored 211 points.
