Kimi Antonelli is just 20 years old, but he is already driving like a seasoned champ. The kid absolutely oozed composure at the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix this weekend, cruising to another Formula One victory that had everyone talking. While the brand-new 22-turn street circuit itself largely failed to fire, with overtaking proving as tough as a brick wall, Antonelli’s performance burned bright enough to outshine the track’s struggles.
Antonelli’s Composure Wins, Norris Gets Screwed
This Mercedes driver is something else. Antonelli started in second place but played it smart, biding his time for most of the 57-lap race right behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. When Leclerc finally made his mandatory pit stop, Antonelli pounced. With just six laps left, he slid into P1 and never looked back, never once looking likely to give up that lead to Max Verstappen or Lando Norris behind him. Here’s a wild fact: Antonelli now has more Grand Prix victories than his own teammate, George Russell. What does that tell you about this kid?
On the flip side, Lando Norris must be absolutely gutted. He started from pole position and grabbed the lead like a pro, looking like he had this race locked down. But then, on lap 15, a virtual safety car absolutely torpedoed his pit-stop plans. He lost a ton of time in that ridiculously long 550-meter pit lane, and trying to make that up on the track? Forget about it. Even Antonelli himself admitted on team radio that he “felt bad for Lando.” Norris had to settle for third, capping off a pretty forgettable day for the leading British drivers. Russell finished fifth, losing more ground in the title race.
Verstappen’s Fury Erupts as Hamilton Exits Early
The start of the race was pure chaos, and it perfectly set up the drama. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, started out of the top four but had the best start of the bunch. He looked poised to move into second until Antonelli squeezed him at the ultra-tight Turn 1. Then Verstappen just slammed the window shut, cutting the chicane in the process. Hamilton immediately implored, “Max has to give that back,” and Red Bull, to their star driver’s complete dismay, actually agreed!
Verstappen, when told by his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to drop back, was apoplectically cross. You could practically feel the steam coming off the radio when he shouted, “What the f*** are you guys talking about? He would’ve shunted into me! If he crashes into me, we’d have been out of the race.” He reluctantly dropped back on lap four, but it all proved inconsequential anyway. A lap later, Hamilton retired due to a brake issue. It’s been a tough stretch for Hamilton, coming a week after his intra-team squabble in Monza.
Despite the narrow, twisty circuit not delivering the most thrilling action for the sold-out crowd of 353,000 spectators, Antonelli showed everyone why he is the real deal. He is a champion in the making, and the league better be ready.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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