Antonelli seizes Madrid win after McLaren blow as Hamilton suffers costly DNF

The Madrid Grand Prix started with immediate fireworks as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton went wheel-to-wheel through the opening corners. Hamilton initially got ahead of the Dutchman, before Verstappen reclaimed the position by cutting the chicane.

Red Bull then instructed the four-time world champion to give the place back, despite Verstappen insisting over team radio that he only left the track to avoid contact rather than gain an advantage. Verstappen reluctantly let Hamilton through before quickly overtaking him again, while Lando Norris retained the lead ahead of Kimi Antonelli.

Hamilton's race then came to an early end after the seven-time world champion reported brake problems. Ferrari instructed him not to stop the car on track and instead bring it back to the pits, which Hamilton successfully managed to do before retiring from the race. That left Charles Leclerc as the only Ferrari driver still running.

Another major turning point arrived on lap 14, when Lance Stroll retired and triggered a Virtual Safety Car. Antonelli and Verstappen immediately took advantage of the opportunity to pit, while Norris came in after the VSC period ended.

To make matters worse for the race leader, a slow pit stop cost him further time, allowing both Antonelli and Verstappen to move ahead and leaving Norris two positions down.

Leclerc, in the only Ferrari left in the race, put together a strong drive by staying out and maintaining an impressive pace after starting on the hard tyres. With overtaking proving difficult, Antonelli settled for remaining behind the Monegasque despite running on much fresher tyres, until Leclerc eventually came into the pits for his stop.

Leclerc extended his stint all the way to lap 49 in the hope of benefiting from a Safety Car that ultimately never came, clearing the way for Antonelli to retake the lead while allowing Verstappen and Norris to close back in and form a three-way fight for victory. The Monegasque, meanwhile, rejoined comfortably in fourth position after making his stop.

With just seven laps remaining and overtaking proving difficult at the Madring, Antonelli held onto the lead without too much trouble, crossing the line ahead of Verstappen and Norris, who completed the podium, with Leclerc and Russell rounding out the top five.