Browse
Log in / Register
Share
MADRID (AP) — April 5, 2025. Lando Norris ended Kimi Antonelli’s dominant weekend run and snatched pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday, setting himself up for a shot at winning the first Formula 1 race in Madrid in 45 years.
The McLaren star delivered a stunning final lap under pressure, edging the Mercedes rookie by just 0.089 seconds at the Circuito del Jarama – a historic venue returning to the calendar after four and a half decades. The race marks a significant shift for F1, moving the Spanish round from Barcelona to the heart of Spain’s capital.
Antonelli, 18, had been the fastest driver all weekend, topping every practice session and looking unbeatable. The Italian teenager, making only his third F1 start, showed composure beyond his years but couldn’t match Norris’s late surge. “I gave it everything. Lando was just a bit quicker when it counted,” Antonelli said after the session.
Norris, who scored his fifth career pole, credited a last-minute setup change. “The car felt alive on that lap. This track is old-school – narrow, no runoff – so you have to trust the car. It’s a huge boost for us tomorrow,” the Briton said.
The Jarama circuit, first used by F1 in 1968, returned after a massive renovation. Drivers praised its challenging layout, with tight corners and limited overtaking opportunities – putting extra weight on Norris’s pole start. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified third, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took fourth.
This year’s Madrid GP has drawn enormous crowds, with 120,000 fans expected on race day. The city’s mayor called it “a celebration of motorsport and Spanish culture.” For Norris, a win here would cement his status as a title contender after a rocky start to the season. For Antonelli, starting second, a podium would be a historic moment for Italian motorsport.
The race starts at 3 p.m. local time Sunday. Forecasters predict clear skies, which should favor McLaren’s tire management. All eyes are on the first corner – Jarama’s tight Turn 1 is notorious for crashes. If Norris leads into Turn 1, his chances of winning jump dramatically.
According to former champion Damon Hill, “Pole here is worth 80% of victory. Overtaking is almost impossible unless someone makes a mistake.” That history makes Norris the clear favorite – but Antonelli’s raw speed suggests the battle is far from over.
