Winners and losers from F1's 2026 Spanish Grand Prix
Summary
Antonelli won a Spanish GP with few genuine winners, capitalising on a late VSC and a slow Norris pitstop. McLaren, Hamilton, Sainz, Alonso and the Madring lost out; Colapinto impressed.
Antonelli won the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, but it produced few genuine winners. He capitalised on a late VSC and a slow Norris pitstop to take a win he admitted should have gone to McLaren. Hamilton retired, Sainz and Alonso flopped, and the Madring's first F1 race was processional.
Why it matters:
Antonelli now leads Russell by 81 points and is on course to become F1's youngest champion. Mercedes tied Ferrari's record of 251 wins as an engine manufacturer. Hamilton's DNF cut Ferrari's cushion to 52 points.
The details:
- Loser: McLaren (3rd, 8th) – A race it should have won. Norris lost out to a VSC and a slow stop; Piastri, with wing damage, got stuck behind Bortoleto and Colapinto after a poor pit call.
- Loser: Hamilton (DNF) – A brake problem ended a likely podium. He conceded Antonelli is unstoppable.
- Winner: Antonelli (1st) – No overtake needed as Norris's race unravelled and Leclerc, who skipped the VSC stop, lost the lead. Antonelli felt "a bit bad" for Norris.
- Loser: Sainz (DNF) – Clumsy home race: clunked into Tsunoda and squeezed Alonso into the wall. Penalty served, so no Baku carryover.
- Loser: Alonso (17th) – Damage from Sainz, a "very bad" engine and blue flags left him two laps down. Stroll retired.
- Winner: Colapinto (7th) – Led the midfield and held off a faster Piastri. He's four points off Lindblad; Alpine's gap to Racing Bulls is nine.
- Loser: Madring – A dull first race with few overtakes and low degradation, as drivers had feared.
What's next:
Baku awaits. McLaren needs a response. Antonelli's title momentum looks unstoppable.
Original Article :https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/winners-losers-from-f1-2026-spanish-grand-pri...