Kimi Antonelli heads to Madrid not just as Formula 1’s points leader, but as the man everyone else is chasing.
The Mercedes rookie has been ranked the strongest driver in the field ahead of the first Spanish Grand Prix on the new Madring circuit, arriving in the Spanish capital with seven wins from 13 races and a commanding 66‑point cushion in the standings, according to The National.
Antonelli sets the standard
His season already carries the weight of history. In Monza, Antonelli tore through the field from 19th on the grid to victory, becoming the first Italian to win at the famous temple of speed since 1966. That drive, stitched together with clinical overtakes and relentless pace, underlined why he sits atop both the championship and this latest form ranking.
He followed that up with second place at Zandvoort, proof that Monza was no one‑off surge but part of a sustained run of authority at the front.
Now comes Madring: 22 corners, all of them new to the grid, all of them waiting to catch out the unwary. On a layout that promises high speeds and heavy lateral loads, the Italian arrives as the benchmark.
Norris and Russell lead the chase
Behind him, Lando Norris has been marked out as the closest threat. The McLaren driver sits second in the ranking after a sharp two‑race spell: victory in Zandvoort, then fourth in Monza after climbing from eighth on the grid.
The National notes that the Madrid track’s fast sections and long, loaded corners should play into McLaren’s strengths. If that proves true, Norris could be the one to drag Antonelli into a straight fight around a circuit where nobody has any reference points.
George Russell, meanwhile, continues to build a quietly powerful campaign in the other Mercedes. Third at Zandvoort, second at Monza, and third again in the Spanish Grand Prix podium prediction: the publication points to the W15’s balance across mixed downforce demands as a key weapon on Madring’s varied layout. If the car behaves as expected, Russell looks well placed to turn consistency into another big result.
Verstappen’s threat and Lindblad’s rise
Max Verstappen, listed third in the ranking, remains the looming danger. The Red Bull star suffered a bruising non‑finish at his home race in Zandvoort, but responded at Monza by charging from fifth on the grid to the lead before ultimately finishing third.
On a brand‑new circuit where every driver starts from zero, The National underlines Verstappen’s experience as a potential trump card. He has made a career out of adapting quickly and exploiting others’ hesitation. Madring offers exactly that kind of opportunity.
The top 10 is rounded out by Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc, Arvid Lindblad and Nico Hulkenberg, a mix of champions, proven operators and rising talent.
Lindblad, driving for Racing Bulls, stands out among them. The youngster has scored points in seven of the last eight races, a run of form that has pushed him firmly into the spotlight. On a weekend expected to be “difficult and chaotic”, as the publication predicts, that knack for quietly collecting results could turn into something far bigger.
Twenty‑two unknown corners, a new Spanish stage, a dominant leader under pressure and a pack of hungry pursuers: Madring is about to decide whether Antonelli’s grip on this season tightens, or finally begins to loosen.
