Max Verstappen (2nd) feels sorry for Lando Norris (3rd): “That’s absolutely nasty”

Sometimes, in a Formula 1 race, it isn’t the fastest driver on the day who wins. The Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madrid circuit was just such a day. Kimi Antonelli won ahead of Max Verstappen, but the man who had actually led comfortably and made a rapid charge towards the end finished only third – McLaren ace Lando Norris.

Max Verstappen expresses sympathy for the Englishman: “Most of us have experienced Grands Prix like this, where things don’t go your way even though you haven’t done anything wrong. That’s absolutely cruel for Lando, who really should have won here. All in all, I believe there are races where you just have to accept things like that, and then there are races that tend to go your way. Street circuits tend to favour such twists of fate.”

However, a virtual safety car period came at such an unfortunate time for the leading Norris that McLaren couldn’t bring him in in time for a tyre change. Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen were grateful, benefiting from minimal time lost during the VSC and moving up the field.

Norris did manage to close the gap on the top two towards the end, but catching up and overtaking are two completely different matters on the Madring.

“As far as we’re concerned, we really made the most of the Grand Prix today. Lando’s misfortune was my good fortune today. I didn’t have Antonelli’s pace, and I certainly didn’t have Lando’s pace.”

Topic of the week

2027 MotoGP grid: Almost a quarter of the riders are new – implications for SBK

The 2027 MotoGP grid will feature five new regular riders, with at least three of those dropped set to move to the World Superbike Championship. The ones to suffer as a result are Alvaro Bautista and Danilo Petrucci.

Read More

TV Program

Live

Baku: 1. Freies Training

FIA Formula One World Championship

24.09.2026 - 10:15

“Of course, it’s nice that we’ve secured another podium finish, but we’re still not fast enough to be in contention for victories on our own merits.”