via gpfans.comMax Verstappen admits he could be replaced at Red Bull by Kimi Raikkonen's sonMax Verstappen recently commented on the possibility of being replaced at Red Bull by Robin Raikkonen, the son of former F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen, who has just joined the team's junior programme. Verstappen met the Raikkonen family at the Italian Grand Prix and acknowledged the significance of Robin's signing, joking about the future need for a seat for the young driver in the team.
Kimi Raikkonen expressed his enthusiasm for his son's inclusion in the Red Bull Junior Team, highlighting the program's history of success with notable alumni. He emphasized the support received from Red Bull and the commitment Robin will make to develop his racing skills, as he has already shown promise in various karting competitions.
gpfans.comFri 11 Sep · 21:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comGuenther Steiner backs Kimi Antonelli for Ferrari seatGuenther Steiner, the former Haas Formula 1 team principal, stated that Kimi Antonelli should be in a Ferrari after his remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix. David Coulthard also praised Antonelli's performance, describing his rise from 19th on the grid to first as a career-defining moment.
Motorsport.comFri 11 Sep · 21:24 UTC
via f1chronicle.comKimi Antonelli leads opening day at MadringKimi Antonelli and Lando Norris have both taken turns leading during the events at the Madring circuit in Spain. Antonelli also topped the qualifying session, showcasing strong performance throughout the opening day.
f1chronicle.com+ 1 moreFri 11 Sep · 20:55 UTC
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.
f1oversteer.comFri 11 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen warns Madring circuit 'probably a car killer'Max Verstappen has expressed concerns about the new Madring circuit, labeling it as 'probably a car killer' based on its challenging layout. This assessment echoes comments made by Williams team principal James Vowles, who highlighted issues observed during F3 testing. Despite these concerns, the first practice session for F1 went smoothly, although F2 experienced multiple crashes during qualifying.
Verstappen elaborated on the difficulties of the track, drawing parallels to the Jeddah circuit, particularly regarding the close positioning of walls. He also pointed out that the angled braking zones could complicate overtaking maneuvers, making it a tough challenge for drivers throughout the race weekend.gpfans.comFri 11 Sep · 19:58 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen pinpoints two critical factors for Red Bull improvementMax Verstappen had a mixed performance during the first day of the Spanish Grand Prix, finishing fifth in FP1 and sixth in FP2. He highlighted the need for Red Bull to improve their one-lap pace and understanding of tyre performance for long runs, as he struggled with the car's balance throughout the sessions.
Despite some frustrations with the car's handling, Verstappen remained optimistic about making adjustments ahead of qualifying. He noted that a clean FP3 session would be beneficial for their performance, as the team aims to enhance their competitiveness on the new Madrid circuit.
RacingNews365Fri 11 Sep · 18:30 UTC
via espn.comAntonelli quickest in FP2 in Madrid, Russell fifthIn the second practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time, outperforming Charles Leclerc by 0.113 seconds. Lewis Hamilton followed closely in third place, while Arvid Lindblad had a significant crash, marking the first major incident at the newly debuted Madring circuit in Madrid.
George Russell, who had topped the first practice session, finished fifth overall. The session was marked by concerns over the circuit's safety, with drivers expressing fears about its high-speed corners and concrete walls. Russell acknowledged the risks involved and noted that he needed luck to challenge Antonelli for the championship, as Antonelli currently leads with seven wins.
espn.comFri 11 Sep · 18:05 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya sees the one area Lando Norris ‘always’ outclasses Oscar PiastriJuan Pablo Montoya feels Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri face the same issue because of their teammates, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris. ...f1oversteer.comFri 11 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen insider pokes fun at Lewis Hamilton after Spanish GP incidentsDuring the Spanish Grand Prix practice sessions, Lewis Hamilton faced criticism from several drivers for being involved in multiple traffic incidents. Dani Juncadella, a teammate of Max Verstappen, humorously remarked on social media that Hamilton's presence in the way during practice is as certain as death and taxes, highlighting the frustrations of other drivers like Carlos Sainz and Arvid Lindblad.
The practice sessions at the new Madring track were largely clean, except for one red flag incident caused by Lindblad crashing. Despite the overall smoothness of the sessions, Hamilton's actions drew ire from his competitors, with Sainz and Lindblad both voicing their concerns about safety and the dangers posed by Hamilton's positioning on the track.
PlanetF1Fri 11 Sep · 17:40 UTC
via F1iVerstappen holds firm on Madring: “I’ll always prefer Spa”Max Verstappen shared his thoughts on the newly constructed Madring after the opening practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix. While he acknowledged the quality of the venue's construction, he reiterated his long-standing preference for traditional circuits like Spa over street circuits, stating that this sentiment would not change. Despite his mixed feelings, he noted that the venue had been well-built but lacked the excitement he finds in more conventional tracks.
In terms of performance, Verstappen finished sixth in the practice sessions, trailing the fastest time by 0.401 seconds. The day was relatively uneventful, with only one red flag caused by a rookie's crash. Verstappen indicated that the Red Bull team needed to improve their car's balance and speed to be competitive, as the Madring presented unique challenges that the entire field was still trying to navigate.
F1iFri 11 Sep · 17:37 UTC%2F16x9%2520single%2520image%2520-%25202026-09-11T170721.519.webp&w=1200&q=70)
via Formula1.com1 videoAntonelli 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.
Formula1.comFri 11 Sep · 16:23 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli strikes back in FP2 as Madring claims its first victimKimi Antonelli responded to George Russell's performance in FP1 by achieving the fastest time in FP2 at the Spanish Grand Prix, outperforming notable competitors like Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The session was marked by a red flag caused by Arvid Lindblad's crash, which halted the proceedings with just over 20 minutes left, while Lando Norris faced a gearbox failure that prevented him from participating further.
Fernando Alonso had a delayed start due to clutch issues from FP1 but managed to complete the session, finishing in 17th place. The session saw competitive times among the top teams, with Antonelli's performance indicating a strong showing from Mercedes as they prepare for the upcoming race.RacingNews365Fri 11 Sep · 16:03 UTC%2F16x9%2520single%2520image%2520-%25202026-09-11T121422.901.webp&w=1200&q=70)
via Formula1.comteams share impressions after Spanish Grand Prix practiceTeams and drivers provided feedback following the initial practice session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. The session took place at the Madrid circuit, allowing teams to assess their performance ahead of the race.Formula1.comFri 11 Sep · 15:04 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Russell tops first practice in Madrid as Hamilton frustrates other driversIn the first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, George Russell achieved the fastest time, leading a Mercedes one-two with teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell's time was 1:34.077, while Antonelli was 0.286 seconds slower. Charles Leclerc managed to secure third place despite recovering from a recent crash, while Lewis Hamilton faced criticism for blocking other drivers during the session.
The tight confines of the Madring circuit led to traffic issues, with Hamilton being called out by several drivers, including Arvid Lindblad and Carlos Sainz, for impeding their flying laps. Despite these challenges, all 22 drivers completed the session without major incidents, indicating a competitive weekend ahead with Mercedes and Ferrari expected to contend for the top positions.
Sky Sports F1Fri 11 Sep · 15:04 UTC
via CrashAndrea Kimi Antonelli tops final practice in MadridAndrea Kimi Antonelli recorded the fastest time in the final practice session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. He finished 0.166 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, while George Russell placed further down the order.
Crash+ 3 moreFri 11 Sep · 12:40 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMadring designer pinpoints the corner he expects Max Verstappen to show his ‘nerves of steel’Jarno Zaffelli, the designer of the Madring circuit, has highlighted Turns 5 and 6 as a critical area where Max Verstappen is expected to showcase his skill. The circuit, which will host the Spanish Grand Prix for the next decade, has already posed challenges for drivers, as indicated by Carlos Sainz's comments on the difficulties faced during simulator testing.
Additionally, Turn 12, referred to as La Monumental, has gained attention due to its steep gradient and significant compression forces. Zaffelli mentioned that initial plans for a steeper banking at this corner were abandoned due to safety concerns from the FIA and Formula 1 regarding the capabilities of current cars.f1oversteer.comFri 11 Sep · 11:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Verstappen issues 'warning' to karting opponent: 'I'll plough him into the wall!'Max Verstappen is set to compete in a unique karting challenge at Silverstone following the Spanish Grand Prix. This event, scheduled for September 16, will see him racing against 100 participants, which include Red Bull athletes and various media figures. Verstappen humorously warned a friend, who is also participating, to be cautious or risk being pushed into the barrier during the race.
In the karting event, Verstappen will have 30 laps to navigate through the field, eliminating opponents as he overtakes them. His playful remarks about the race dynamics and the positioning of competitors highlight his competitive spirit and sense of humor ahead of the event.RacingNews365Fri 11 Sep · 08:45 UTC
via PlanetF1Kimi Antonelli avoided ‘unbelievable’ Ferrari pressure by joining MercedesKimi Antonelli achieved a remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone as the first Italian winner of the event since 1966. Starting from 19th on the grid, he showcased his skill by racing to first place, further solidifying his lead in the drivers' standings with a substantial 66-point advantage over his teammate, George Russell.
Karun Chandhok emphasized that Antonelli's decision to join Mercedes instead of Ferrari has alleviated immense pressure on him, allowing him to thrive in his early Formula 1 career. Chandhok believes this strategic choice by Antonelli's father has been pivotal in shaping his son's success, suggesting that the absence of Ferrari's intense scrutiny has been beneficial for Antonelli's development as a driver.PlanetF1Fri 11 Sep · 07:18 UTC
via newsonf1.comLeclerc cleared to race as Ferrari tension coolsSep.11 (GMM) Charles Leclerc has been cleared to race in Madrid after further medical checks following his heavy Monza crash, while Ferrari appears to have calmed the tensions exposed during its disastrous home weekend. “It felt like a serious accident,” Leclerc, who reported vision problems after the impact, said on Thursday. “But all the checks…newsonf1.comFri 11 Sep · 03:53 UTC
via RaceFansOn This Day: Antonelli starts his first car race, Bearman wins | BriefOn September 11, 2021, Andrea Kimi Antonelli made his debut in car racing during the Italian Formula 4 event at the Red Bull Ring. He qualified in tenth position and managed to secure a ninth-place finish in his first race. The event was notable for Oliver Bearman winning the race, but the podium ceremony was marred when a large piece of signage fell on Bearman and third-place finisher Sebastian Montoya.
In addition to his initial race, Antonelli participated in two more races during the event, finishing twelfth in the second race and ninth in the final race, which took place in wet conditions. Antonelli's performance marked the beginning of his career in competitive car racing, showcasing his potential in the motorsport arena.
RaceFansThu 10 Sep · 23:01 UTC
via Formula1.comHow Verstappen and Lawson rate Red Bull's chances in MadridMax Verstappen and Liam Lawson evaluated Red Bull Racing's prospects for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix, which will be held at the new Madring circuit. Both drivers acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the high-speed street layout, which could lead to unpredictable outcomes and potentially allow Red Bull to secure their first victory of the 2026 season.
Verstappen emphasized the importance of practice sessions for gaining confidence in the car, while Lawson noted his ongoing adaptation to the team's 2026 vehicle. Both drivers expressed the need for time to learn the new track and improve their performance, with Lawson specifically mentioning the challenges of racing in a car that is not tailored to his preferences.Formula1.comThu 10 Sep · 18:27 UTC
via espn.comRussell: 'I definitely need some luck' to win titleGeorge Russell has expressed that he requires some luck to surpass his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the ongoing world championship. Antonelli, who recently turned 20, is leading the championship with a significant 66-point advantage and has secured seven victories this season compared to Russell's two wins.
Russell has shown improvement in his performances, particularly in recent races, where he achieved strong finishes. He qualified second in Monza and finished on the podium, indicating a positive trend in his race pace. Despite this, he recognizes that Antonelli has consistently outperformed him, and Russell is focused on enhancing his driving as the season progresses.espn.comThu 10 Sep · 18:21 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Russell: I have an answer to Antonelli's paceGeorge Russell has expressed confidence in his ability to improve his performance against his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the Drivers' Championship by 66 points. Despite suffering a setback at the Italian Grand Prix, where Antonelli won after starting from 19th, Russell believes he has made progress in matching Antonelli's pace and is focused on winning races as the season continues.
As the Spanish Grand Prix approaches, Russell acknowledges that luck will be essential for him to close the gap in the championship standings. Meanwhile, Antonelli remains focused on winning races rather than the championship, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a competitive mindset without being distracted by the title race.Sky Sports F1Thu 10 Sep · 18:08 UTC
via Formula1.com‘My team mate has done a better job than me’ – RussellGeorge Russell has recognized that his Mercedes teammate, Kimi Antonelli, has outperformed him during the 2026 season, leading to a significant 66-point advantage in the Drivers' Championship. Despite this, Russell remains determined to compete for the title, acknowledging that he will need some luck to close the gap.
As the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix approaches, Russell is focused on maximizing his performance at the new Madring circuit. He emphasizes the importance of confidence and preparation, aiming to capitalize on any opportunities that arise during the race weekend.Formula1.comThu 10 Sep · 17:52 UTC