Antonelli Dominates Practice Sessions at Spanish Grand Prix
Written by AI from 8 stories our clustering filed that day — every section links to the full stories it draws from.
The opening day of the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit saw Kimi Antonelli and George Russell shine in practice sessions, showcasing Mercedes' strong form. However, the day was marred by incidents, including a crash involving Arvid Lindblad and gearbox issues for Lando Norris.
Mercedes Leads the Charge
Kimi Antonelli topped both the second practice session and the final practice, demonstrating his pace and the strength of the Mercedes team. George Russell also had a strong showing, securing the fastest time in the inaugural practice session, marking a promising start for Mercedes at the new circuit. The team has introduced several upgrades aimed at enhancing performance ahead of the race weekend.
Kimi Antonelli Leads Practice at Spanish Grand Prix Amid Crashes → · George Russell Leads First Practice at New Madring Circuit → · Teams Unveil Upgrades Ahead of Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid →
Challenges for Competitors
Lando Norris faced a significant setback, missing out on Free Practice 2 due to a gearbox issue, which could impact McLaren's performance this weekend. Additionally, Charles Leclerc is set to race with an older engine after sustaining damage in a previous race, putting him at a disadvantage compared to his competitors.
Lando Norris Misses FP2 Due to Gearbox Issue in Madrid → · Leclerc to Race with Older Engine After Monza Incident →
Mixed Reactions and Concerns
Lewis Hamilton faced criticism from fellow drivers for his driving during the first practice session, with some labeling it as dangerous due to near-misses. Meanwhile, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed concerns regarding Fernando Alonso's potential retirement from Formula 1, as the veteran prepares for his home race in Madrid.
Lewis Hamilton Faces Criticism for Driving in Madrid Practice → · FIA President Discusses Fernando Alonso's Future in Formula 1 →
Leclerc's Anticipation and Strategy
Charles Leclerc has described the upcoming qualifying session as potentially one of the most challenging of the season, citing difficulties with overtaking at the new circuit. His team will need to strategize effectively given the performance limitations posed by his older engine.
Leclerc Anticipates Challenging Qualifying at New Madrid Circuit → · Leclerc to Race with Older Engine After Monza Incident →
Compiled by gpt-4o-mini from Pit Lane Daily's own story summaries for Friday, 11 September 2026. Nothing here comes from outside those stories; where they disagree, the briefing says so.