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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 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 f1oversteer.comKimi Antonelli Leads FP2 at Spanish Grand Prix in MadridKimi Antonelli topped the second practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, showcasing strong performance for Mercedes. He finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, while the session was briefly interrupted by a red flag.
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 RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli Tops FP2 at Spanish Grand Prix in MadridKimi Antonelli recorded the fastest time in the second practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring. He outpaced notable competitors including Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, following a red flag incident caused by Arvid Lindblad.
via CrashLeclerc to Race with Older Engine After Monza IncidentCharles Leclerc will not utilize the latest Ferrari ADUO2 engine at the Spanish Grand Prix due to damage sustained in a crash during the Italian Grand Prix. As a result, he will face a performance disadvantage compared to his teammate.
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 outperformed George Russell during the session.
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc’s instant radio message on Lewis Hamilton moment at Madring proves Ferrari’s changeDuring Free Practice One at the inaugural Madring, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton secured third and fourth places, respectively, while George Russell led the session. Following a challenging performance at Monza, Ferrari showed signs of improvement as both drivers managed to avoid conflicts on track, which was a relief for team principal Fred Vasseur.
Leclerc demonstrated a notable change in behavior by calmly addressing a near-miss with Hamilton over the radio, suggesting a more diplomatic approach within the team. This incident has raised questions about whether this newfound professionalism will persist as the competition intensifies during the race weekend.
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton set for power advantage over Charles Leclerc after Ferrari decisionLewis Hamilton is set to have a power advantage over Charles Leclerc in the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix due to Ferrari's decision to install a pre-ADUO2 update power unit in Leclerc's car. This choice allows Leclerc to avoid an engine change penalty, as he will be using a previously utilized engine instead of a new one, which the team is cautious about after his recent crash.
Despite the challenges, Leclerc has expressed confidence in his readiness for the race, stating that he feels completely fine after recovering from the impact. Ferrari is prioritizing track time at the new circuit, which is expected to be demanding for both drivers and teams, while they continue to assess the condition of his Monza engine.
via the-race.comGeorge Russell Tops Practice Session at Madring in SpainGeorge Russell led the second practice session at the Madring circuit in Spain. He was followed closely by his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.
via CrashKimi Antonelli Tops FP2 at 2026 Spanish Grand PrixKimi Antonelli recorded the fastest time in Free Practice 2 for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. He was followed closely by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton as teams prepared for the weekend's race.
via CrashGeorge Russell Leads Mercedes in First Practice at MadringGeorge Russell recorded the fastest time in the inaugural practice session at the new Madring circuit in Madrid. His teammate Lewis Hamilton faced challenges during the session, causing frustration among other drivers.
via RacingNews365George Russell Leads Calm First Practice at Spanish Grand PrixGeorge Russell secured the fastest time in the first practice session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix held at the Madring. The session was notably uneventful, with minimal incidents reported.
via RacingNews365George Russell Leads First Practice at New Madring CircuitGeorge Russell achieved the fastest time in the inaugural Free Practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit. He was followed closely by his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, marking a strong start for the team.
via RacingNews365Charles Leclerc hit with Ferrari engine handicap at new Spanish GPCharles Leclerc is facing a setback at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix as Ferrari has decided to revert to an older power unit for his car. This decision comes after Leclerc's crash at the Italian Grand Prix, where he suffered a significant impact on lap two, forcing the team to reassess their engine strategy.
Despite this handicap, Ferrari plans to have the upgraded power unit ready for Leclerc's next race in Azerbaijan. The Spanish Grand Prix will take place at the newly introduced Madring circuit, which has secured a contract to host the event for the next decade.
via grandprix.comAntonelli's karting celebration leaves Wolff checking his phoneKimi Antonelli celebrated his recent victory at the Italian Grand Prix by participating in a karting event with Mercedes personnel, friends, and family. Despite enjoying the day, team principal Toto Wolff was concerned about the risks associated with racing, recalling a serious accident the team experienced in 2014 that left him with multiple injuries.
Antonelli confirmed that Wolff checked in on him after the karting session, but he only saw the message later in the evening. Following the Monza race, Antonelli holds a significant 66-point lead in the championship standings over teammate George Russell, who acknowledges that improving their positions will require both better performance and some luck.
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.
via PlanetF1Carlos Sainz enters Lewis Hamilton vs Charles Leclerc debate after Monza rowLewis Hamilton expressed dissatisfaction following a close encounter with teammate Charles Leclerc during the Italian Grand Prix, where he felt he was unfairly treated. Hamilton's comments came after a tense moment on the opening lap, leading to a debate about teammate dynamics in competitive racing environments.
Carlos Sainz, who previously raced alongside Leclerc at Ferrari, commented on the inevitability of conflicts between competitive teammates. He noted that while disagreements are common, they often resolve quickly. Sainz highlighted the unique pressure Ferrari drivers face at their home race in Monza, emphasizing the importance of avoiding contact during intense battles.
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc isn’t contractually ‘allowed’ to do what Lewis Hamilton routinely does at FerrariCharles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton participated in a Ferrari event before the Monza race, highlighting the demanding nature of the weekend. A notable difference in their contracts emerged, as Hamilton is allowed to decline interview requests, giving him more control over his media engagements compared to Leclerc, who must adhere to Ferrari's guidelines.
This contractual disparity affects their visibility and interactions with fans. Leclerc's extensive media presence contrasts with Hamilton's limited interviews, which may influence public perception, especially after a controversial incident during the race where Hamilton accused Leclerc of causing him to lose positions.
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…Page 1 of 27