F1 Standings 2026 After The Spanish Grand Prix

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrates winning the Spanish Grand Prix at the MADRING circuit in Madrid, Spain. Picture date: Sunday September 13, 2026. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)

PA Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli cruised to victory at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, further extending his advantage in the drivers’ championship.

Having started the race from second after being pipped to pole position by Lando Norris’ McLaren, Antonelli struggled to find a way past the reigning champion in the opening stages. The 20-year-old went off the track twice during his overtaking attempts and got stuck in second, while Norris managed to establish a good leading gap as the race progressed.

But everything changed when Lance Stroll stopped his Aston Martin on lap 15 and triggered a virtual safety car that turned the tide in Antonelli’s favor.

When the VSC period began, Norris had already passed the pit entrance, whereas his rivals Antonelli and Max Verstappen, who had not yet reached that part of the track, could come into the pits right away and benefit from a free stop.

By the time Norris headed into the pit entrance a lap later, the VSC period was already over, forcing him to make his stop under green flag conditions and lose more time than he would have in the free stop during the VSC.

Having led the race six seconds over Antonelli before the ill-timed virtual safety car period, Norris found himself in fifth when he rejoined the track following his stop while Antonelli snatched the lead.

Eventually, Antonelli secured the first-ever win at the brand-new Madring circuit, crossing the line four seconds over Verstappen’s Red Bull, while Norris salvaged his day somewhat with a podium finish in P3.

The victory marks the Mercedes man’s eighth for the season and his second in a row, having claimed a sensational comeback win from 19th on the grid at his home race in Monza last weekend.

“It’s good to win,” said Antonelli after the race. “But it doesn’t feel as good because I think Lando today deserved to win. But overall, you know, we’ll take it.”

Outside of the top three, Charles Leclerc was the only Ferrari finisher on Sunday, taking P4, as his teammate Lewis Hamilton had to retire early with brake issues.

George Russell settled for fifth in the second Mercedes, while Liam Lawson, stepping in for the injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull, scored eight more points for himself and the team with a sixth-place finish.

Franco Colapinto’s Alpine netted seventh place, followed by Oscar Piastri’s McLaren and Arvid Lindblad of Racing Bulls, with Nico Hulkenberg securing the last point on offer for Audi.

With the European leg of the season now complete, Antonelli heads to Asia leading the championship by 81 points over his teammate and closest title rival Russell.

Hamilton’s retirement in Spain leaves him at 191 points – now 101 points behind the leader in third place.

Meanwhile, Norris’ recent strong outings have helped him close the gap to Hamilton in the standings, with only five points separating them in the race for third.

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