Antonelli Ignites F1’s Madring Debut with Monza Victory

Formula 1 leaves the old stones of Monza behind and heads into the unknown. Round 14 of the 2026 season lands at the brand-new Madring circuit for the Spanish Grand Prix from 11-13 September, with the title fight suddenly crackling again.

At the centre of it all: Kimi Antonelli.

The Mercedes driver didn’t just win at home in Italy. He tore the script in half. Starting 19th on the grid at Monza, in front of a feverish Italian crowd, the championship leader carved through the field for a spectacular victory that felt like a statement as much as a result. A bad Saturday turned into a legendary Sunday, the kind that lingers in a title race.

George Russell joined him on the podium to seal a powerful Mercedes one-two, while Max Verstappen salvaged third for Red Bull. On paper, it looked like a familiar trio. The route there was anything but.

Gasly’s Breakthrough, Ferrari’s Misery

The weekend also belonged, in part, to Pierre Gasly. Alpine found a spark in qualifying and Gasly grabbed it with both hands, delivering the first pole position of his Formula 1 career. One lap, under pressure, against the usual giants. It was a reminder that on Saturdays, at least, the pecking order can still be shaken.

Ferrari, by contrast, endured a weekend they will want to forget quickly. Charles Leclerc crashed out of the race, ending any hope of a recovery drive in front of the passionate Italian fans. Lewis Hamilton could do no better than sixth, a result that underlined how far the team still has to climb if it wants to trouble Antonelli and Verstappen over a full season.

As the paddock packs up and heads for Spain, the mood music is clear: Mercedes on the march, Red Bull hanging on, Ferrari searching for answers, Alpine daring to dream.

Madring Awaits

Now comes a different kind of challenge. The Madring circuit makes its debut on the calendar, a fresh test for drivers and engineers alike. No bank of historic data, no well-worn racing lines, just three days to learn, adapt and attack.

The schedule, all times BST:

Friday, 11 September - First practice: 12:30-13:30 (Sports Extra 2, BBC Sounds, smart speakers)
Friday, 11 September - Second practice: 16:00-17:00 (Sports Extra 2, BBC Sounds, smart speakers)
Saturday, 12 September - Third practice: 11:30-12:30 (Sports Extra 2, BBC Sounds, smart speakers)
Saturday, 12 September - Qualifying: 15:00-16:00 (BBC Sport website and app)
Sunday, 13 September - Race: 14:00 (Sports Extra 2 via BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Lights out for the 57-lap Grand Prix comes at 14:00 on Sunday, when the first real answers about Madring’s character will arrive. High degradation or low? Overtaking feast or tactical stalemate? Nobody truly knows yet.

What is clear is that Antonelli walks into Spain with momentum and a growing aura after that Monza miracle. Verstappen, never one to back down from a fight, will want to slam the door on any talk of a changing of the guard. Russell smells opportunity. Gasly carries the confidence of a first pole. Ferrari need a response.

A new circuit, a tightening title race, and a grid full of bruised egos and rising belief. Madring is about to find out what Formula 1 really looks like at full tilt.