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via grandprix.comHamilton draws criticism over Madrid practice trafficDuring the Friday practice session at Madring, Lewis Hamilton faced criticism from multiple drivers for his slow laps, which they felt obstructed their performance. Notable complaints came from Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg, while Yuki Tsunoda's thumbs-up gesture was seen as sarcastic. Ralf Schumacher also weighed in, labeling Hamilton's actions as unsportsmanlike, although no penalties were handed out at that time.
The new circuit posed challenges for all drivers, with many opting to drive cautiously to avoid accidents. George Russell noted that the risk of incidents would likely increase as qualifying approached, emphasizing that Madring offers less margin for error compared to other tracks like Monaco. The situation regarding traffic management is expected to become more critical as drivers push for faster lap times.
via RacingNews365Oliver Bearman spots 'oversight' in new Madrid F1 track layoutOliver Bearman, a Haas driver, has raised concerns about the new Madrid F1 track layout, calling it an 'oversight' that could hinder overtaking during the race. The Madring, which will host the Spanish Grand Prix, features a challenging 22-turn, 3.3-mile circuit that includes a significant banked turn and numerous 90-degree corners, making it difficult for drivers to execute overtaking maneuvers.
Bearman specifically pointed out that the curved braking zone at Turn 5 limits the potential for overtaking, which he believes detracts from the overall racing experience. He emphasized the importance of qualifying on this track, suggesting that drivers will need to focus on securing good grid positions due to the anticipated challenges in overtaking during the race.
Sat 12 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via F1iLindblad insists his P4 charge in Madrid FP2 was 'on merit'Arvid Lindblad, a rookie driver for Racing Bulls, showcased impressive speed during the Friday practice sessions in Madrid, finishing P4 in FP2 after a P7 in FP1. Despite crashing at Turn 13, he emphasized that his strong performance was achieved on merit, being only two tenths off the fastest time. Lindblad acknowledged the crash's impact on his mechanics but remained optimistic about the team's prospects for qualifying.
Yuki Tsunoda also performed well, finishing P8 in FP2, contributing to a positive outlook for Racing Bulls. Team principal Alan Permane expressed confidence in the car's speed and potential for qualifying, indicating that both drivers could aim for a spot in Q3. The new Madrid circuit provided a unique challenge for all drivers, but Lindblad's pace and the team's overall performance were encouraging.
Sat 12 Sep · 09:43 UTC
via Motorsport.comPain in Spain goes mainly down the drain, explains PermaneAt the Spanish Grand Prix, Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane commended the team's performance on Friday, despite a crash by driver Arvid Lindblad at Turn 13 during FP2. Lindblad's crash cut his session short, but he still managed to secure fourth place in the overall times, showcasing the car's strong pace. Yuki Tsunoda also performed well, finishing in the top 10 despite facing power steering issues.
Permane expressed optimism about the team's prospects for qualifying, stating that they could potentially get both cars into Q3. Lindblad acknowledged his mistake leading to the crash but remained positive about the team's speed and the lessons learned. He noted that the track's grip would improve, which could benefit their performance in the upcoming sessions.
Sat 12 Sep · 08:41 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 star Charles Leclerc makes big admission after Lewis Hamilton peace talksCharles Leclerc has taken full accountability for his collision with Lewis Hamilton during the Italian Grand Prix, which led to Hamilton losing positions early in the race. Following the incident, both drivers engaged in discussions with Ferrari management to address the situation and maintain team harmony.
Leclerc expressed his respect for Hamilton and acknowledged that their competitive nature sometimes leads to conflicts on the track. After the crash, Leclerc was monitored for any injuries but confirmed he was fit to compete in the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.
Sat 12 Sep · 08:15 UTC
via Motorsport WeekHamilton urges Ferrari to close gap to MercedesLewis Hamilton acknowledged the need for Ferrari to improve its performance to catch up with Mercedes and McLaren. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc expressed optimism about Ferrari's advancements despite recognizing that they remain behind their competitors.
+ 1 moreSat 12 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton blasted by F1 rival as Max Verstappen names potential Red Bull replacementLewis Hamilton faced criticism for his driving during the first practice session at the Madring, where several drivers experienced impediments on their hot laps. This incident has raised concerns ahead of the qualifying session scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Max Verstappen humorously suggested that he could be replaced at Red Bull by Robin Raikkonen, the son of former champion Kimi Raikkonen, who has just joined the team's junior program. Additionally, Charles Leclerc will have a power unit disadvantage compared to Hamilton due to Ferrari's decision to use a previously used engine, while FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed his surprise at the possibility of Fernando Alonso retiring from Formula 1.Sat 12 Sep · 06:45 UTC
via PlanetF1The mindblowing hypocrisy of Lewis HamiltonLewis Hamilton has openly criticized his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc for his aggressive driving during the Italian Grand Prix. This criticism comes amid Hamilton's broader dissatisfaction with Ferrari's performance, which he has expressed publicly in recent races, raising concerns about the potential consequences of his comments.
The article highlights the historical context of Ferrari drivers facing difficulties when they publicly criticize the team. It suggests that Hamilton's approach may alienate him from the team, as his remarks have shifted the relationship dynamic from collaboration to confrontation. The implications of his criticisms could lead to significant repercussions for both Hamilton and Ferrari.
Sat 12 Sep · 06:19 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.
via Formula1.comLeclerc anticipates exciting qualifying at MadringCharles Leclerc is looking forward to an exciting qualifying session for the Spanish Grand Prix. After experiencing the Madring for the first time, he expressed optimism about Ferrari's performance.
+ 1 moreFri 11 Sep · 19:03 UTC/GettyImages-2294215166.webp)
via Formula1.comLindblad highlights positives despite FP2 crash in SpainArvid Lindblad expressed satisfaction with his performance despite crashing out during FP2 at the Spanish Grand Prix. He achieved P4 on the timesheets, demonstrating strong pace with purple sectors before losing control of his car at Turn 13, which caused a red flag and disrupted the session for others. Lindblad acknowledged the mistake but remained optimistic about the team's overall performance and his potential for the upcoming qualifying session.
Team Principal Alan Permane echoed Lindblad's sentiments, highlighting the team's encouraging results and the car's speed. He noted that both drivers showed good pace, with Lindblad and Tsunoda positioned well within the top ten. Permane expressed confidence in the team's ability to fine-tune their performance ahead of FP3 and aimed for both cars to qualify in Q3.Fri 11 Sep · 18:48 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.
Fri 11 Sep · 18:05 UTC
via Motorsport WeekLewis Hamilton discusses Ferrari's long-term changesLewis Hamilton expressed optimism about Ferrari's progress following practice at the Spanish Grand Prix. He noted that the changes within the team are part of a long-term strategy aimed at restoring their competitive edge in Formula 1.+ 1 moreFri 11 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via CrashArvid Lindblad counts the cost of Madrid F1 shuntArvid Lindblad experienced a significant crash during the second practice session for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, resulting in the only red flag of the session. Prior to the incident, he showcased impressive speed, securing fourth place in qualifying simulations, but lost control of his Racing Bulls car at Turn 13, leading to a heavy impact with the barriers.
Despite the damage to his car, which included the floor and suspension, Lindblad reported that he was uninjured and expressed concern for his team's workload due to the repairs needed. He remains optimistic about his performance potential for the remainder of the weekend, emphasizing the importance of qualifying and his strong pace before the crash.
Fri 11 Sep · 17:59 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.Fri 11 Sep · 17:40 UTC
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.
Fri 11 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton factor is breaking Leclerc as insider blames 'psychological pressure'In the 2026 Formula 1 season, Charles Leclerc has faced significant challenges, particularly in comparison to his teammate Lewis Hamilton. After signing a new multi-year deal with Ferrari, Leclerc has not met expectations and currently sits fifth in the Driver's standings, trailing Hamilton by 36 points. His performance has been marred by several crashes, including a heavy incident at Monza, which has raised concerns about his mental state and ability to cope with the pressure of competing alongside a seasoned driver like Hamilton.
Former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley has pointed out that Leclerc's inconsistency and errors this season may be attributed to the psychological pressure of having Hamilton as a teammate. Smedley emphasized that while Hamilton has consistently delivered strong performances, Leclerc's struggles are surprising for a driver with nearly a decade of experience in F1. As Leclerc prepares for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix, he will be monitored for any lingering effects from his recent crash.Fri 11 Sep · 15:56 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.
Fri 11 Sep · 15:04 UTC
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.Fri 11 Sep · 13:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comFerrari "too late" to prioritise Lewis Hamilton in F1 title fight, says Jolyon PalmerJolyon Palmer, a former Formula 1 driver, has expressed that Ferrari has missed its chance to support Lewis Hamilton in the ongoing championship race. He believes that the team has allowed their title aspirations to fade, particularly after a disappointing performance at Monza. Currently, Hamilton sits third in the standings, significantly trailing the championship leader Kimi Antonelli, while Leclerc is also behind in fifth place.
Palmer emphasized that the dynamics between Hamilton and Leclerc have hindered their chances, as both drivers have been focused on competing against each other rather than collaborating. He pointed out that their clashes during races have cost them valuable points, and with the season progressing, he feels it is now too late for Ferrari to prioritize Hamilton's bid for the title.Fri 11 Sep · 13:09 UTCPage 12 of 36
