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via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer saw Liam Lawson do ‘mighty’ thing Max Verstappen is always praised for at the MadringLiam Lawson has stepped in for the injured Isack Hadjar at the Spanish Grand Prix, impressing pundit Jolyon Palmer with his quick adaptation to the new Madring circuit during the first practice session. Palmer noted that Lawson appeared to be at home in the Red Bull RB22, showcasing competitive lap times early on.
Max Verstappen, who also participated in FP1, acknowledged the immediate competitiveness of both Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda in their temporary roles. Despite Verstappen finishing the session ahead of Lawson, the latter's performance marked a significant improvement from his previous outing at Monza, where he faced several challenges.
via Formula1.comWhat the teams learned about the Madring after day 1 of runningFormula 1 teams and drivers experienced their first day of practice at the new Madring circuit, revealing various challenges, particularly with tyre management. Tyre graining emerged as a major concern, prompting teams to adjust their setups for the second practice session. Drivers like Pierre Gasly and Oscar Piastri shared their thoughts on the track's demanding nature, with Gasly finishing P11 and Piastri P7 in the respective sessions.
The day saw George Russell leading in FP1 for Mercedes, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc showed competitive pace in FP2. Teams are focusing on optimizing their setups for the unique characteristics of the Madring, with an emphasis on performance during qualifying. The overall sentiment among drivers is one of cautious optimism as they prepare for the race, acknowledging the need for further adjustments and improvements.
via Motorsport.comMercedes Shows Strong Performance in Spanish GP Practice SessionsDuring the opening practice sessions for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes demonstrated a competitive edge, with George Russell recording the fastest long-run pace. Max Verstappen from Red Bull was noted as the closest competitor in terms of performance.
via Formula1.comLeclerc Anticipates Thrilling Qualifying at Spanish Grand PrixCharles Leclerc expressed excitement for the upcoming Qualifying session at the Spanish Grand Prix, describing it as potentially thrilling. He shared his initial impressions of the Madring after experiencing it on Friday.
via racer.comNorris on the back foot after gearbox issue limits Madring track timeLando Norris faced challenges during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend after a gearbox issue limited his track time in the second practice session. He finished sixth in the first practice, but his performance was hindered by being over 0.8 seconds slower than George Russell, prompting concerns about the car's competitiveness ahead of qualifying.
McLaren's technical director, Mark Temple, acknowledged the setback caused by the gearbox issue, which affected not only Norris but the entire team's ability to gather crucial data on the new circuit. The team plans to analyze data from the first practice and work on improvements to ensure both drivers can maximize their performance in the upcoming sessions.
via Formula1.comGeorge Russell Expresses Concerns Over Tyre Wear in SpainGeorge Russell has voiced concerns regarding tyre wear ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit. Despite these worries, he managed to secure a top five position in both practice sessions.
via f1oversteer.comAlex Brundle heard Lewis Hamilton being ‘pressured’ by Ferrari in unaired radio message at MadringDuring the first day of practice at the Spanish Grand Prix, Alex Brundle reported that Ferrari's pit wall was pressuring Lewis Hamilton to increase his commitment through Turn 12. This corner is noted for its challenging characteristics, and the team emphasized the importance of this area for their energy deployment strategy. Hamilton was struggling in this section, which was crucial for optimizing engine delivery.
In the practice sessions, George Russell led FP1 while Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in FP2. Charles Leclerc performed well for Ferrari but was still significantly behind the Mercedes drivers, particularly in the final sector. The overall performance of the Ferrari cars indicated inconsistencies, particularly in matching the pace of their competitors.
via RacingNews365Alex Albon airs major concern over new Spanish GP iconAlex Albon has raised significant safety concerns regarding Turn 12, known as La Monumental, at the new Madring circuit for the Spanish Grand Prix. He described the corner as high-speed and challenging due to its banking and lack of defined apex, which could lead to dangerous situations, especially if cars are stopped on the track. Albon fears that the combination of blind spots and low grip could result in multiple crashes during the race.
Additionally, Albon mentioned that the recent resurfacing of the track has created a single racing line, making it difficult for drivers to navigate without straying into marbles that could affect grip. He expressed worries about the cool-down laps and the positioning of cars, emphasizing that the narrowness of the track could lead to immediate consequences for drivers who make mistakes. Overall, Albon's insights highlight the potential risks associated with the new circuit layout.
via Formula1.comAntonelli sets the pace ahead of Leclerc during Madring FP2During the second practice session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli emerged as the fastest driver, clocking a time of 1m 33.662s. He outpaced Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who finished second and third respectively. The session was interrupted when Arvid Lindblad crashed, which prevented any further improvements to the timesheets after Antonelli's initial lap.
The practice session saw various challenges for drivers, including Fernando Alonso's clutch issue that kept him from participating at the start. Despite the difficulties, the session provided valuable insights for teams as they prepared for the upcoming qualifying rounds. The next practice session is scheduled for September 12 at 12:30 local time.
via the-race.comKimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen Shine in Madring PracticesThe first day of Formula 1 practice at Madring featured notable performances from Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen. Antonelli topped the times in the second session, while Verstappen led the first practice.
via RaceFansKimi Antonelli Leads Practice at Spanish Grand Prix Amid CrashesKimi Antonelli secured the fastest time in the second practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix, showcasing Mercedes' strong performance. Meanwhile, Arvid Lindblad experienced a crash that resulted in the first red flag of the weekend at the new Madring circuit.
via Motorsport.comJuan Pablo Montoya says Madring is first 2026 F1 track he wants to driveJuan Pablo Montoya has expressed his enthusiasm for the Madring circuit, which he considers the first track of the 2026 Formula 1 season that excites him enough to want to drive. He praised the challenging layout of the 5.4km, 22-turn semi-street circuit located in Madrid after completing a track walk.
Montoya highlighted the unique features of the circuit, including its elevation changes and blind corners, which he believes add to the challenge and excitement of driving there. He noted that the design requires a high level of commitment from drivers, making it a thrilling prospect for the upcoming season.
via RacingNews365Lando Norris Misses FP2 Due to Gearbox Issue in MadridLando Norris was unable to participate in Free Practice 2 at the Spanish Grand Prix due to a gearbox problem. McLaren described the incident as a significant setback for the team ahead of the race weekend.
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli Leads FP2 at Madring for Spanish Grand PrixKimi Antonelli topped the second practice session at the Madring circuit for the Spanish Grand Prix. His performance outpaced notable competitors including Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
via Formula1.comHow drivers used the virtual world to prepare for the MadringDrivers have been putting in the mileage in the sims as they prepare to tackle the brand-new track ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.Esteban OCON leads the Practice 2 at MadringEsteban OCON takes the lead from Lando NORRIS — live from Madring, Spain.
via PlanetF1Kimi Antonelli Leads After Challenging FP2 at Spanish Grand PrixKimi Antonelli recorded the fastest time in the second practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at Madring. The session took place under hot conditions, with notable performances from other drivers including Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
via RacingNews365Leclerc Tops Practice 2 at 2026 Spanish Grand PrixCharles Leclerc secured the fastest time in Practice 2 for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix held in Madrid. He outpaced George Russell during the session, showcasing strong performance ahead of the race.
via PlanetF1FIA launches double investigation at Spanish Grand PrixThe FIA stewards have launched a double investigation at the Madring.
via F1iDrivers Share Impressions After First Practice in SpainFormula 1 teams and drivers provided feedback following the initial practice session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. The session took place at the newly introduced Madring track in Madrid.Page 1 of 7