Kimi Antonelli takes victory in Madrid, while Lando Norris is left wondering what might have been.
Formula 1 arrived in Madrid for the first time with a brand-new circuit, a huge crowd and the promise of a new chapter in the Spanish Grand Prix’s history.
By the time the chequered flag fell, it was Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes who had written their names into that history.
The Italian claimed victory in the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring, adding another win to what has become a remarkable 2026 campaign.
But while Antonelli will rightly celebrate, the race also highlighted one area where, in my opinion, the new circuit needs to improve.
Norris starts perfectly
Lando Norris began the race from pole and made the perfect getaway.
The McLaren driver immediately established himself at the front and, for a period, looked to have the pace required to become the first winner in Madrid.
Behind him, Antonelli and Max Verstappen remained within striking distance.
Everything appeared to be falling into place for Norris.
Then came the moment that changed the race.
The Virtual Safety Car changes everything
A Virtual Safety Car period created a crucial strategic opportunity.
Mercedes reacted immediately, bringing Antonelli into the pits at exactly the right moment.
Norris had already passed the pit entry and therefore had to complete another lap before making his own stop.
It was a brutal twist of timing.
Antonelli gained the track position he needed, while Norris was left trying to recover the advantage he had built earlier in the race.
From that point onwards, the complexion of the Grand Prix had changed.
Antonelli delivers
Once in front, Antonelli showed the composure that has become such a feature of his season.
Verstappen applied pressure, while Norris fought his way back into podium contention, but overtaking remained extremely difficult.
Antonelli controlled the race and eventually crossed the line to become the first Formula 1 winner at the Madring.
Verstappen finished second, with Norris recovering to third.
For Norris, it was undoubtedly a case of what might have been.
The McLaren had looked capable of winning.
But in Formula 1, pace alone doesn’t guarantee victory.
My GridXtreme recommendation for Madrid
Having watched the race unfold, my personal recommendation to the organisers is simple: the Madring has 12 months to make the circuit more attractive for genuine wheel-to-wheel racing.
The atmosphere, facilities and spectacle surrounding the event are impressive, and Madrid has clearly embraced Formula 1.
But the racing itself needs to become more exciting.
The current layout makes overtaking extremely difficult, and that places too much emphasis on qualifying position, strategy and incidents such as the Virtual Safety Car rather than allowing drivers to fight each other on track.
For me, this isn’t about criticising Madrid for the sake of it.
This is a brand-new Formula 1 venue with an opportunity.
The organisers have 12 months to look at the data, listen to the drivers and teams, and explore whether changes to the layout, corner sequences or overtaking opportunities could create more genuine racing.
A circuit doesn’t need to be full of artificial overtaking zones.
What it does need is somewhere for a faster car and a brave driver to make a move.
Give the drivers that opportunity and Madrid could become a fantastic addition to the Formula 1 calendar.
The crowd deserves to see cars racing each other, not simply following one another.
Ferrari frustration
Charles Leclerc brought Ferrari home in fourth, while George Russell completed the top five for Mercedes.
For Lewis Hamilton, however, the afternoon ended in disappointment.
The Ferrari driver was forced to retire with a brake problem, ending his race prematurely.
It was a frustrating result for the seven-time World Champion and another difficult weekend for Ferrari.
The bigger championship picture
For Antonelli, however, Madrid was another enormous step forward.
The young Italian continues to establish himself as one of the defining drivers of the 2026 season.
The question now isn’t whether Antonelli can win Grand Prix.
He has demonstrated that repeatedly.
The question is whether anybody can stop him from becoming World Champion.
Madrid has the ingredients
The first Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid has delivered a spectacular event and a huge showpiece for Formula 1.
The fans have embraced it.
The city has embraced it.
And the Madring certainly looks the part.
But Formula 1 ultimately lives or dies by the quality of the racing.
My verdict from a GridXtreme perspective is that Madrid has the foundations of something very special, but the circuit now needs to evolve.
The organisers have 12 months before Formula 1 returns.
Use that time wisely.
Study where the cars struggled to follow.
Look at where overtaking was possible and where it wasn’t.
Listen to the drivers.
And, most importantly, create opportunities for them to race.
Because when Formula 1 comes back to Madrid next year, the crowd shouldn’t just be watching a spectacular show.
They should be watching drivers fighting for position, lap after lap, corner after corner.
That is what makes Formula 1 truly special.