James Hinchcliffe states that Kimi Antonelli's victory at the Spanish GP will continue to "sting."

Mercedes racer and current title frontrunner Kimi Antonelli will experience a "sting" following his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, as he recognizes that McLaren's Lando Norris had the superior vehicle, according to former IndyCar Series driver and F1 TV analyst James Hinchcliffe.

Antonelli clinched his eighth triumph of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the inaugural event at the Madring circuit, widening his lead in the championship to 81 points over his teammate George Russell. However, the Italian's success hinged on an impeccably timed virtual safety car.

Norris, who launched from pole position, established a significant lead over the competitors during the early phase of the race. When the virtual safety car was activated just after the McLaren driver had passed the pit lane entry, Antonelli took advantage by opting for a more economical pit stop. Norris subsequently made his pit stop as the virtual safety car concluded, enduring a four-second delay.

Although Antonelli executed a commendable race to claim victory, Hinchcliffe contended that the pace shown by the Woking team will leave the 20-year-old feeling frustrated.

Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

"I don't want to imply that luck outweighs skill, but sometimes it's beneficial to possess both because we know he's talented. He is undeniably skilled, yet he did have some fortune, and you could even hear it in the post-race interview, he was like, 'Yeah, we'll take it,'" Hinchcliffe remarked regarding Antonelli's victory during F1 TV's post-race coverage.

"You all understand what it means as a driver. Even when you win, knowing that someone was quicker than you still leaves a bit of a sting. You aspire to be the top driver of the day. And I don't think we can confidently say that he was.

"He was very well-rounded, did what he needed to do, and completed the task at hand. That's the objective. But it's fascinating to see such a young driver, already achieving so much this season, feel that burn when he knows he wasn't the fastest on the day."