Andrea Kimi Antonelli lucked into the lead after a well-timed Virtual Safety Car and kept it to the chequered flag at the 2026 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old took a first F1 race victory on Spanish soil after a calm performance in the 53-lap race at the new Madring circuit.
Starting from second on the grid, the current championship leader was handed the net race lead after an ill-timed VSC and slow pit stop forced pole-sitter Lando Norris to relinquish his advantage.
Reflecting on the afternoon’s proceedings, Antonelli surmised that he didn’t really “deserve” to win the race.
“To be realistic and honest, you know, today we didn’t deserve to win,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“Lando deserved to win today. And so I think our, you know, result would probably be [second] or even [third].”
The Italian reasoned that he had already put himself on the backfoot after an “aggressive” opening lap saw him run wide at the Turn 1 and 5 chicanes.
“I just didn’t do a good enough job at the start, being a bit too aggressive, and then putting myself in a bad position,” he added.
“So, yeah, definitely things to work on. But holding on, you know, today went well and I’m happy with that.
“We’re just going to try to be better.”
Kimi Antonelli not resting on his laurels after extending championship lead at F1 Spanish GP
While Antonelli took the chequered flag in P1, his team-mate, and closest championship rival, George Russell, ceded more ground to the Italian with fourth-placed finish.
Heading into the Azerbaijan GP weekend, Antonelli now holds a staggering 81-points lead over the Briton.
That said, despite acknowleding his “big lead” the 20-year-old is not taking the challenge ahead lightly.
“Yeah, it’s great, but we’ve just got to keep pushing, keep delivering the results, and just trying to do the best job I can whenever I go on track,” Antonelli explained.
“Of course, I have a big lead but you never know what can happen.
“So, I just need to be ready for anything and keep maximising every opportunity I get, and we’ll see what we end up with at the end of the year.”
With only a handful of rounds to go in the 2026 championship, and Imola looking like the most likely destination for the season finale, it could be an Italian cornonation for the Mercedes driver by the time the season comes to a close.
READ MORE – F1 2026 Spanish GP – Race Results
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