Verstappen on podium for second straight weekend, Antonelli wins after McLaren error

Kimi Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the season in Madrid, executing a perfect strategy while other teams faltered. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc attempted to hold the lead for 48 laps on hard tires, hoping for a safety car that never materialized, ultimately forcing him to pit and finish fourth. Meanwhile, Lando Norris suffered a disastrous pit stop error due to a timing mishap during a virtual safety car, causing him to lose his lead, though he still managed to fight back to finish on the podium. Max Verstappen finished second for the second consecutive weekend, successfully defending his position against a challenging Norris in the closing stages. The race, which was expected to be chaotic on the tight street circuit, remained largely stable among the leaders despite early incidents between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. McLaren’s strategic mistake ultimately proved the difference, handing the advantage to Mercedes and Antonelli, while the race concluded with limited excitement despite a late protest from Norris regarding Verstappen's defensive maneuvers.