Kimi Antonelli secured his eighth win of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Spanish Grand Prix, but former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe believes the victory will still 'sting' because Lando Norris had the faster car.
Antonelli, who started third, capitalized on a virtual safety car (VSC) period that was deployed just after Norris passed the pit entry. The Mercedes driver pitted immediately and got a cheaper stop, while Norris, who was leading, had to pit after the VSC ended and lost around four seconds. This clever strategy put Antonelli in the lead, and he held on to take the win.
However, Norris's pace in the opening stint was undeniable. The McLaren driver built a solid advantage before the VSC, and according to Hinchcliffe, that will bother Antonelli. "I don't want to say it's better to be lucky than good, but sometimes it's good to be both because we know he's good. He's definitely good. But he had some luck and you even heard it in the post-race interview, he was like, 'Yeah, we'll take it,'" Hinchcliffe said on F1 TV's post-race broadcast.
Hinchcliffe added that even a winning driver feels uncomfortable knowing someone else was faster. "You guys know what it's like as a driver. Even when you win, when you know there was somebody faster than you, it still stings a little. You want to be the best driver on the day. And I don't think we can say that he was," he continued.
Hinchcliffe's analysis highlights the dilemma often faced by talented young drivers like Antonelli. At just 20 years old, he has shown remarkable maturity by maximizing every opportunity, including the favorable VSC situation. However, Norris's early dominance serves as a reminder that McLaren's raw pace remains a serious threat to Mercedes.
The win extends Antonelli's championship lead to 81 points over teammate George Russell. Nevertheless, the title fight is far from over, and Norris's strong performance in Spain could signal that McLaren will keep pushing for the rest of the season.
For Antonelli, the victory at the Madring circuit may feel sweet, but as Hinchcliffe said, the sting of knowing someone was faster will serve as extra motivation to keep improving. Mercedes and Antonelli must stay alert, because Norris and McLaren will not sit idle.
Baca Juga
Kimi Antonelli menang di GP Spanyol berkat VSC, tapi James Hinchcliffe sebut kemenangan itu tetap 'perih' karena Lando Norris lebih cepat. Simak analisisnya.
Franco Colapinto belajar dari pole Pierre Gasly di Monza dan menuai hasil di GP Spanyol. Ia finis ketujuh setelah tembus Q3. Simak kisahnya.
Lando Norris menjalani uji coba hypercar McLaren MCL-HY di Portimao, membuka peluang tampil di Le Mans 24 Hours. Simak detailnya.
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