Kimi Antonelli inches closer to F1 title after winning Spanish GP

Kimi Antonelli moved closer to the Formula One championship after winning Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, which was held at ⁠Madrid's new circuit. The Italian driver, 20, secured his eighth win of the season in Madring, extending his championship lead to 81 points after 14 rounds. Antonelli benefited from a well-timed virtual safety car (VSC) and disastrous McLaren ⁠pitstop that denied <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/f1/2026/09/12/spanish-grand-prix-lando-norris-snatches-pole-off-title-race-leader-kimi-antonelli/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/f1/2026/09/12/spanish-grand-prix-lando-norris-snatches-pole-off-title-race-leader-kimi-antonelli/">pole-sitter and early leader Lando Norris</a> a likely win ​on a ⁠track where overtaking proved almost impossible. “I ‌think today it's good to win but it doesn't feel as good because I think Lando today deserved the ​win but overall, we take it,” said <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/f1/2026/09/06/kimi-antonelli-ends-60-year-wait-for-home-winner-at-italian-gp-it-feels-like-a-dream/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/f1/2026/09/06/kimi-antonelli-ends-60-year-wait-for-home-winner-at-italian-gp-it-feels-like-a-dream/">Antonelli</a>. Red Bull's <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/max-verstappen/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/max-verstappen/">Max Verstappen</a> was second with Norris third. Antonelli has 292 points with closest rival and teammate George Russell, who finished fifth, on 211.