The Mercedes driver, Kimi Antonelli, has achieved another victory at the Grand Prix of Spain, but according to F1 analyst and former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, this victory will leave a ‘half pain’ knowing that his competition teammate, Lando Norris, had shown a superior pace during the race.
Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the 2026 season at the Madring circuit, thus extending his championship lead to 81 points over his teammate, George Russell. However, the Italian’s triumph depended on perfect timing with the *virtual safety car*.
Norris, who had started from pole, built a solid lead during the early stage of the race. When the *virtual safety car* was deployed, Antonelli took advantage to make a quick pit stop, allowing him to overtake Norris, who lost time during his stop when the *virtual safety car* ended.
Despite Kimi’s pressing victory, Hinchcliffe stated that the performance of the McLaren will frustrate the young 20-year-old driver. ‘I don’t want to say that it’s better to be lucky than to be good, but sometimes it’s good to be both things. They know he is good, but he has also had a bit of luck’, commented Hinchcliffe during the F1 TV post-race broadcast.
Hinchcliffe added that as a driver, it is always difficult when you know there is someone faster than you on the track. This feeling, even if you find the way to victory, can be tough. ‘After this race, it is interesting to see how such a young, successful driver can feel that he hasn’t been the best on the day’, he concluded.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
