ANTONELLI CONTINUES TO IMPRESS WITH VICTORY AT THE MADRING

For the first time since the 80's, Formula One was in Madrid for a race, this time however around the Madring. It was a race that felt like at any moment could have descended into chaos, however sadly for the viewers of this race it never fell that way. But it was a weekend to remember for the Championship leader Kimi Antonelli who extends his title lead to over eighty points with just eight races left this season. Max Verstappen finished in second ahead of an unlucky Lando Norris in third for McLaren.

It was a great get away off the line from the top three with Norris away well from pole position with Antonelli and Verstappen fighting close behind the McLaren who even at such an early stage looks settled and quick around a new track. Antonelli keeps second ahead of Max Verstappen, who then has to concede position to Hamilton behind him for cutting the corner and gaining an advantage.

It was brake problems however for the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton ,on lap six, who has dropped down to tenth place from third - he’s going so slowly and won't be able to continue for much longer.

And that came true for Hamilton on lap seven as he is forced to retire from the race having dropped from third to last in one lap. This is Lewis' first DNF this season having been the only driver to complete every lap so far this season.

The second retirement in this race came on lap fourteen when the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll is stopped trackside. Being a street circuit the VSC is quickly deployed but race leader Lando Norris has missed the chance to pit but everyone behind him can effectively get a free stop, as the McLaren had passed the pit entry after the VSC was deployed.

Its green flag conditions on lap fifteen and Norris can now pit but its a slow stop for Norris - seven seconds and he has dropped out from the lead of the race with such bad luck for the World Champion he’s now fifth behind George Russell. Charles Leclerc leads the race, as he didn't pit under the VSC but the then second placed Antonelli did.

On lap thirty three we lost the Cadillac of Sergio Perez who retires from the race. Then just thirteen laps later on lap forty six home hero Carlos Sainz is retired in the Williams.

Then with just nine laps left Leclerc finally pits for the first time, after Ferrari had held out for a full Safety Car for as long as they were willing to do so, dropping Leclerc into fourth ahead of Russell. Antonelli becomes the third and final race leader.

The issue with the Madring Circuit although good in parts it has one too many braking zones and needs some changes going forward to make the racing exciting, but it certainly has potential to become a track known for good racing.

The next race is Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

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