The Formula 1 edit

Article by Finley Ever

The first F1 race in Madrid happened earlier today, and as someone that was expecting a lot of on track action as well as being a Lando Norris fan, today was an insufferable one. I’m not one to write race articles in this way, but the Madring calls for it!

Expectations

When Madrid got announced as a new addition to the F1 calendar, fans were extremely excited to see a second Spanish race in the pinnacle of motorsport, but that excitement quickly turned into worry when a two-day F3 test happened at the street circuit.

19 red flags, I repeat, 19 red flags, flew during this test. As well as 3 broken chassis and 6 broken suspensions, The Madring was absolutely ruthless to these cars.

With two straight mode zones and 20 turns, the largest being the huge and infamous La Monumental banked 550m turn, this track is quite the sight when viewing the arial photo of it, which is attached below. Watching the on-car cameras throughout the weekend was insanely stressful, so heighten the viewers stress and multiply it by a trillion to get what all 22 drivers were feeling inside the cockpit.

With multiple retirements and crashes in all three Free Practice sessions across Friday and Saturday, the race on Sunday was looking to be an eventful one; oh how wrong we were.

Qualifying

Despite all odds, reigning World Champion Lando Norris was able to secure Pole Position yesterday, absolutely flying in his last lap to take it from Kimi Antonelli. Lando claimed that it was the best lap of his career, and of course, hoped he could convert it into the win today. He was followed by Kimi in second and Max Verstappen in third.

The Race start

At the start of the race, both drivers on the front row got a good launch, with Lando quick to defend and Kimi eager to take first. This dynamic sent Kimi off of the track twice, the first time also sending Max Verstappen in third off as well, who cut Lewis Hamilton off as Lewis was rightfully overtaking for third.

Lando held onto first, and Max found his way to second while still under investigation for leaving the track and gaining an advantage over the Ferrari of Lewis. The race was against him sticking to second, unfortunately, and he had to give the place back to Lewis. But since Lewis was behind Kimi, Max lost two places in the process.

As Lando took off up at the front, his teammate behind, Oscar Piastri, lost three spots at the start of the race, even making slight contact with George Russell two times!

Botched strategy

In lap 14, Lance Stroll retired his car, which sent out a VSC (Virtual Safety Car). Many drivers, including Kimi Antonelli in second and Max in third, took advantage of it to get a free pitstop. Lando stayed out, having already passed the pit lane entrance when the VSC was deployed. But then he got the call to bring the car in after going around the track one more time, just as the VSC was ending.

Couple that unfortunate timing with the front right mechanic not getting the tyre on quick enough, Lando’s pit stop from first was 7 excruciating seconds, which resulted in him rejoining the race in fourth. Strategy was not in the Brit’s favour today, and oh my the fans were disappointed! No where near as frustrated as Lando was, though.

The tifosi was a different story as Charles Leclerc took the lead. Even though he hadn’t pitted yet like everyone behind him, any moment of a race lead from the Monegasque is enough for the fans!

And That’s It.

For a large portion of the race, Charles Leclerc led with Kimi and Max behind; nothing else happening. Then, in lap 49, Charles finally came in to get a fresh set of tyres. Kimi Antonelli took first, Max second, and a sad Lando third.

From there on out, that was the race! Just driving. If you have insomnia, this is the race that will help you cure it!

Surprisingly, in lap 56 of 57, Lando got close enough to the Dutch to try and overtake for second, but that dream of getting on the second step of the podium was quickly forgotten because of Max.

Sara Perche Ti Amo

Kimi Antonelli wins the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his 8th win in only his second season! The 20-year-old truly feels like Aryton Senna reincarnate! What a GOAT, not only for driving absolutely perfect, but also for showing true sportsmanship to the man in third.

On his intercom during his victory lap around the Madring, Kimi told his race engineer that he felt bad for Lando; me too Kimi, me too!

A race well deserved by the World Champion, but not quite there. Madrid is surely a race he will be keen on forgetting.

Results

1. Kimi Antonelli
2. Max Verstappen
3. Lando Norris
4. Charles Leclerc
5. George Russell
6. Liam Lawson (still racing for Red Bull with Isack out for a third GP)
7. Franco Colapinto
8. Oscar Piastri
9. Arvid Lindblad
10. Nico Hulkenberg
11. Esteban Ocon
12. Gabriel Bortoleto
13. Pierre Gasly
14. Yuki Tsunoda
15. Alex Albon
16. Oliver Bearman
17. Fernando Alonso
18. Valtteri Bottas

Retirements

1. Lewis Hamilton (Brake Issues)
2. Carlos Sainz
3. Sergio Perez (suspected water system issue)
4. Lance Stroll (Brake issues)

That race was surely one to follow up Monza. Madrid truly showed that no two Grand Prix are the same! Hopefully some of us were able to get through it without falling asleep, cause if you did, congratulations!

xx