Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured victory at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen, as severe track criticism overshadowed the Madrid meeting.
The result extended Antonelli’s lead in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship. Defending world champion Lando Norris completed the podium for McLaren, having lost a potential win when a Virtual Safety Car deployed immediately after he passed the pit entry.
Following a processional race around the Ifema exhibition centre, drivers demanded urgent modifications to the hybrid street layout. Norris highlighted the lack of long straights and awkward corner combinations.
Drivers Demand Urgent Layout Changes
Speaking to BBC Sport, Norris questioned the initial layout. “I don’t know how someone looks at this design and goes: ‘Mint.'”
The tight walls had already caused significant disruption, with heavy FP3 crashes demanding extensive repairs. Norris proposed removing turns 18 and 19 to create a heavy braking zone.
The unique timing of the caution period has also prompted sporting reviews. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella told BBC Sport: “Offering a personal opinion, I’m puzzled myself as to what’s right.”
Further down the grid, Franco Colapinto secured seventh for Alpine. The Argentinian, who will soon face the ultimate test for F1 drivers, called the Madrid fixture “probably my best race weekend” in comments to Formula1.com.
Formula 1 now heads to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where track modification proposals will dominate the paddock agenda.
