Madring
via F1iRussell highlights worrying prospect for race day at MadringGeorge Russell expressed concerns about tyre degradation after the first day of practice at the new Madring circuit in Madrid. He noted that the track's unique characteristics could lead to significant thermal stress on the tyres, making race day a challenge for all teams. Russell's performance varied, as he topped the first practice session but slipped to fifth in the second due to set-up adjustments.
Mercedes' deputy team principal, Bradley Lord, echoed Russell's concerns, highlighting that the continuous cornering sequences on the track might lead to unexpected thermal effects on the tyres. With limited long-run data due to a crash during FP2, teams are left uncertain about tyre performance for the race, raising the possibility of a race strategy focused on managing thermal degradation.
F1iSat 12 Sep · 07:38 UTC
via newsonf1.comHamilton under fire for ‘unsportsmanlike’ drivingLewis Hamilton has been criticized by several drivers for his slow driving during practice at the new Madring circuit. Yuki Tsunoda and Carlos Sainz expressed their frustration, with Sainz directly accusing Hamilton of obstructing other cars. Nico Hulkenberg and Ralf Schumacher also commented on Hamilton's driving style, labeling it as unsportsmanlike and problematic for other competitors.
The practice session was relatively calm compared to earlier incidents in Formula 2 and Formula 3. Aston Martin's Mike Krack indicated that teams instructed drivers to be conservative to avoid damage. George Russell acknowledged the high-risk nature of the track, while Max Verstappen expressed his preference for traditional circuits over street tracks like Madring.newsonf1.comSat 12 Sep · 05:00 UTC