Madring✕ ✕
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Laurent Mekies disagrees with Max Verstappen’s verdict on the Madring after Spanish Grand Prix The Madring circuit received significant criticism during its inaugural Spanish Grand Prix, with many drivers expressing concerns about its layout and overtaking opportunities. Max Verstappen labeled the track a 'car killer' and noted the challenges it posed, while Nico Rosberg highlighted the lack of exciting racing. Despite these issues, Liam Lawson managed to execute a notable overtaking maneuver, but the race was largely seen as uneventful, with Kimi Antonelli taking the victory ahead of Verstappen.
In contrast to Verstappen's negative view, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal, expressed optimism about the Madring's potential to become an iconic race in Formula 1. He commended the event's organization and the circuit's diverse layout, suggesting that it has the elements necessary for a memorable race. Mekies believes that with further improvements, the Madring could evolve into a significant venue in the F1 calendar. f1oversteer.com Tue 15 Sep · 20:00 UTC via Formula1.com Who impressed our Power Rankings judges in Madrid? The Spanish Grand Prix saw Kimi Antonelli take victory after a strategic advantage during a Virtual Safety Car, which hindered Lando Norris's chances of winning. Despite leading early in the race, Norris had to settle for third place, while Max Verstappen capitalized on the situation to finish second, marking a solid performance for Red Bull. Franco Colapinto and Nico Hulkenberg also had notable finishes, with Colapinto achieving seventh and Hulkenberg rounding out the top ten.
The race was challenging for several drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, who retired due to brake issues after showing promise in practice. Esteban Ocon managed to improve from a difficult mid-season, finishing just outside the points. Liam Lawson, filling in for Isack Hadjar, delivered his best result in sixth place. Overall, the weekend showcased a mix of strategic plays and driver performances that shaped the latest Power Rankings. Formula1.com Tue 15 Sep · 15:19 UTC via Formula1.com Tsunoda reviews Madrid outing after sustaining 'big damage' Yuki Tsunoda had a challenging outing at the Spanish Grand Prix, finishing in 14th place after a collision with Carlos Sainz at the first corner left his car damaged. This incident hindered his ability to make any progress during the race, which could potentially mark his final appearance in Formula 1. Tsunoda had shown promise earlier in the weekend, qualifying 15th and finishing FP2 in eighth, but the race did not go as planned due to the early contact and subsequent handling issues with his car.
Despite the difficulties, Tsunoda noted that he found some pace after Sainz's pit stop under the Virtual Safety Car, but the damage made overtaking nearly impossible. He expressed disappointment with his performance, stating that he struggled with grip throughout the weekend and that the issues worsened as the event progressed. Tsunoda's teammate, Arvid Lindblad, managed to finish in ninth place, highlighting the contrasting fortunes for the Racing Bulls team. Formula1.com Tue 15 Sep · 14:15 UTC via Motorsport.com Mercedes explains George Russell’s two-stop strategy in F1 Spanish GP Mercedes has explained the rationale behind George Russell's decision to pit during the virtual safety car at the Spanish Grand Prix. Russell, starting on hard tyres, was the only top driver to deviate from a one-stop strategy. The timing of the VSC, which occurred at the end of lap 14, was particularly challenging for him, as it allowed other drivers on softer tyres to benefit while he was forced to adapt his strategy. Russell's pit stop was aimed at gaining an advantage over Leclerc, who was leading the race on hard tyres.
Despite the strategic move, Russell finished in P5, significantly behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli. He managed to set the fastest lap but acknowledged that overtaking was extremely difficult on the Madring track. After the race, Russell expressed his pragmatic view on the situation, indicating that regardless of the strategy employed, his finishing position was likely predetermined due to the race's circumstances. Motorsport.com Tue 15 Sep · 11:37 UTC via PlanetF1 Nico Rosberg points finger at Carlos Sainz as Madring underwhelms Nico Rosberg has publicly criticized Carlos Sainz following the Spanish Grand Prix, where the Madring circuit failed to provide adequate overtaking opportunities. Rosberg emphasized that Sainz, as an ambassador for the circuit, should be held accountable for its shortcomings. The race was described as processional, with Kimi Antonelli winning while merely managing his tires, and drivers like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen expressing frustration over the lack of competitive racing due to the track's design.
In response to the disappointing race, Sainz acknowledged the need for improvements, suggesting that the circuit should remain open-minded to changes that could enhance overtaking. Other drivers, including Norris and Alonso, echoed these sentiments, pointing out specific corners that could be modified to create better racing conditions. Overall, the feedback from the drivers indicates a strong desire for the Madring to evolve into a more engaging race track. PlanetF1 Tue 15 Sep · 06:04 UTC Last race · Round 15
Azerbaijan Grand Prix