Toto Wolff thankful to 'racing gods' as Kimi Antonelli steals Spanish GP win

Toto Wolff has thanked the "racing gods" after Kimi Antonelli capitalized on a perfectly timed virtual safety car to win the Spanish Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver pitted under the VSC triggered by Lance Stroll's stopped Aston Martin, while race leader Lando Norris missed the pit entry and was forced to pit under green conditions, losing 20 seconds.

Why it matters:

The victory extends Antonelli's championship lead to 81 points over teammate George Russell, who finished fifth. It also gives the 20-year-old his eighth win of 2026 — a tally that already surpasses Russell's entire career total of seven.

The details:

• Antonelli pitted with just three seconds' notice, with Mercedes' strategy group reacting instantly to the VSC. "The process was great today. Strategy to Bono, Bono double-checked, and Bono to Kimi. All of that talking within three seconds," Wolff told Sky Sports F1.
• Max Verstappen also undercut Norris, dropping the McLaren driver to third. Antonelli then inherited the lead when Charles Leclerc, running long for Ferrari, finally pitted.
• Wolff admitted Mercedes had been "mostly unlucky" with VSCs and safety cars this year, but today the "race gods" were on their side.

What's next:

With an 81-point margin, Antonelli is firmly in control of the title fight. But Wolff acknowledged McLaren's pace, calling the result "unfortunate" for Norris — a reminder that the championship battle is far from over.