Antonelli wins Spanish GP on Madring debut as Norris left to fume
First blood at the Madring
Kimi Antonelli's seemingly inexorable march to his first Formula One world championship advanced at double time as the young Italian proved to have good fortune on his side too with his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix. His execution was perfect as he became the first driver to win at F1's newest circuit, the Madring, beating Red Bull's Max Verstappen into second and McLaren's Lando Norris into third.
But Antonelli's win came at a cost to Norris who, while having led until lap 14 and was impressively quick, was just unlucky and try as he might was left tilting at windmills in Madrid. That Norris could not at least fight back came after the unfortunate timing of a virtual safety car (VSC). It cost him because he passed the pit lane entry a fraction after it was called.
This was a factor in what was something of an indictment of a brand new circuit - built at enormous expense but whose design has contrived to make overtaking all but impossible. It was at best a prosaic procession and at times a snooze in the sunshine, with just a handful, not even double figures, of on-track passes after the opening lap and none of them at the sharp end. That is a remarkable occurrence this season given how the new engine formula has promoted repeated changes of position - so much so it has become known as yo-yo racing. Not so in Madrid.
Verstappen, who had been outspoken in his criticism of the design and predicted a procession, said the track designers had made mistakes. "You can't overtake," he said. "In terms of track design, I think it can be better. Input from drivers in the future on track design can also help a lot. I know they will always come back to you and say: 'Yeah, but the space'. But that's BS. There's always a way to find an overtaking opportunity around a track."
Norris's nightmare pit stop
The turning point came on lap 14 when a VSC was called to deal with Lance Stroll's Aston Martin which had gone into the barriers. It was called just seconds after Norris had passed the pit entrance, prompting his point that it would have been advantageous to be slightly slower. Antonelli behind him dived in for a cheap stop and new tyres, as did Verstappen, and McLaren committed to pitting Norris at the end of the lap - but the timing was disastrous. The VSC ended just before he came in and then, to add insult to injury, his stop was slow at a full seven seconds.
When Norris crawled out, his lead was gone with Antonelli and Verstappen gaining track position in front of him. While Ferrari's Charles Leclerc had stayed out and led the field, they proceeded to circulate with somnolent metronomy, waiting for the Monégasque to stop. He did, and the three frontrunners continued line astern to the flag. It was impossible not to consider that on another track Norris would have had a shot at trying to pass - but it was a forlorn hope in Madrid.
"Not a lot we could do … load of shit," Norris said. "Just take it on the chin. We were too quick, that's all it was. Very unlucky today, guys - we deserved the win quite easily."
Even Antonelli conceded Norris had been dealt a poor hand. "It doesn't feel as good because I think Lando today deserved the win," he said. "But overall we'll take it."
Championship picture
Indeed he will, as a spot of luck tends to ride with world champions, which he is on course to be given his title lead - especially after his teammate George Russell, on a two-stop strategy that did not pay off, could manage only fifth. Another hammer blow to the British driver, who with seven career victories has one fewer than the eight Antonelli now has this season.
Antonelli's lead over second-placed Russell is now 81 points. Lewis Hamilton, who had to retire on lap six with a brake problem, is third, 101 behind, while Norris is 106 behind in fourth, with nine meetings remaining. A disappointing opening for a new circuit then, but a familiar finish as Antonelli once more closed out in control. A driver who will not care at all that it was his least entertaining win of the season.