Spanish Grand Prix: What McLaren Gives Away, Antonelli Finishes Off

The return of Formula 1 to Madrid has left a bittersweet taste after its first edition.

Sweet, because the track built around IFEMA is a circuit with character, very different from the new circuits that have recently arrived on the calendar, with the curve "La Monumental" as the emblem of the Madring circuit, which the drivers themselves have recognized as a challenging drive.

And bitter, because it seems that the Spanish Grand Prix, wherever it is held (whether Montmeló or Madring), seems condemned to be a boring race. Today was a procession of cars, with some moments of tension, but it ended with few surprises...

Verstappen volunteers to redesign circuits 📐🏎️

To solve Madring's clear overtaking problems, Max Verstappen himself has offered to help in its redesign, with small corrections at certain braking points, in order to favor overtaking. Hopefully the organization, which has done an excellent job against the clock, will listen to advice from drivers like Max to improve the motorsport spectacle in future editions.

McLaren copies Ferrari's strategy 🟠📝🔴

Lots of memes about Ferrari, but McLaren is something else entirely... What did they do by pitting Lando when the virtual safety car ended? An incomprehensible strategy that squandered a brilliant race from the reigning champion who was heading for a crushing victory in Madring.

Kimi Antonelli, should we give him the title already? 🇮🇹🔜🏆

And speaking of the reigning champion, we must talk about the one who will be the new champion, short of a disaster... The wonder kid is now also a fisher in troubled waters and, beyond a small error at the start that he managed to correct immediately, he wins again by displaying race control uncharacteristic for his age. Given the mechanical quality of his car and the support of his team, no one can fault the Italian for the year he is having. It seems he's 30, not freshly turned 20.

Spain, what great fans 🇪🇸🙌

As an epilogue to this report, we cannot forget the incredible fanbase we have in Spain. In a year when our own, Carlos and Fernando, are more just showing up at circuits than competing due to the poor performance of their single-seaters, the fans have once again not abandoned them and have packed the stands with green and blue shirts and caps, and flags of Spain, Madrid, and Asturias. Carlos will stay at Williams for a few more years, and if Fernando does not retire, hopefully in future visits, they and we will be able to enjoy what their talent and merit, and our affection for them, deserve.

Luis Díaz Urbistondo — Founder of Montdebó

Published on 09/13/2026