Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged that his hopes of winning the 2026 Formula One World Championship have effectively ended following Kimi Antonelli’s victory at the Spanish Grand Prix. The 20-year-old Italian, who succeeded Hamilton at Mercedes when the seven-time champion moved to Ferrari, extended his lead in the championship with the win at the Madrid circuit.

Hamilton, who retired from the race on lap six due to a brake issue, now trails Antonelli by 101 points in the title standings. George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate, holds second place but is still 81 points behind with nine races remaining in the season.

“There’s no stopping him and Mercedes this year,” Hamilton said, praising Antonelli and the team’s performance. Despite the growing points gap, Hamilton expressed confidence in the competitiveness of his Ferrari car and the potential for improvement throughout the remainder of the campaign. He noted that his team has produced a solid car and anticipated better results ahead.

Antonelli’s victory was influenced by race circumstances involving a virtual safety car (VSC). Lando Norris, who was leading at the time, lost track position after pitting just before the VSC was deployed. Antonelli, running behind Norris, managed to pit under the VSC conditions and gained advantage, which ultimately helped him secure the win. Norris finished third, unable to regain the lost positions on a circuit known for difficult overtaking.

Expressing frustration at how the outcome unfolded, Norris called for a reevaluation of the rules governing pit stops under the virtual safety car. “I got pole, I led the race, and to lose it for nothing in my control is not how a race should be won,” he said, highlighting the controversy surrounding the race’s decisive moment.

The Spanish Grand Prix results have further solidified Antonelli’s lead in the championship and underscored Mercedes’ current dominance. With several races still to come, Hamilton and Ferrari face a significant challenge if they are to close the substantial gap before the season concludes.