Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden win at the first ever race in Madrid, converting a front‑row start into a flawless performance on a brand‑new 22‑corner layout. Starting alongside pole‑sitter Lando Norris, Antonelli overtook the British driver early and maintained track position while managing tyre wear on a circuit that had never hosted a Formula 1 event.
Race dynamics
Antonelli’s pace allowed him to stay clear of the tyre cliff that typically bites on fresh rubber, while Norris struggled to mount an effective undercut, leaving the Dutchman Max Verstappen trailing by 4.351 seconds at the finish. The final classification saw Antonelli ahead of Norris, who completed the podium 5.089 seconds behind the winner.
Historical significance
The 57‑lap, 22‑corner race added a new name to the record books, marking Antonelli as the inaugural winner of the Madrid Grand Prix and the first driver to claim victory on a circuit that had never previously been raced.
Antonelli turned a front‑row start into a historic win on a brand‑new track.