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via Motorsport WeekKimi Antonelli says overtaking at Spanish GP will be “very difficult”Kimi Antonelli, who qualified second for the Spanish Grand Prix, expressed concerns about the difficulty of overtaking on the newly constructed Madring circuit. He highlighted that the start of the race would be crucial for gaining positions, as the tight track limits overtaking opportunities. Antonelli narrowly missed pole position to Lando Norris and noted that similar pace among drivers would make overtaking even more challenging.
Antonelli, currently leading the Driver's Championship, mentioned that the track's characteristics remind him of other challenging circuits like Monaco and Jeddah. He indicated that strategy might play a significant role in the race, as drivers would need to capitalize on mistakes from others to create overtaking chances. His teammate, George Russell, qualified sixth, presenting a significant challenge for him to close the gap in the championship standings.
Sun 13 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via CrashJose Mourinho praises "incredible" Kimi Antonelli and Fernando AlonsoJose Mourinho has publicly praised Kimi Antonelli for his impressive performance in the Formula 1 season, calling his title pursuit 'incredible'. Antonelli currently leads the standings by 66 points over his teammate George Russell, having qualified second for the upcoming race in Madrid. Mourinho's admiration extends to veteran driver Fernando Alonso, whom he appreciates for his consistent presence among the top drivers despite not having a competitive car this season.
In addition to his praise for Antonelli and Alonso, Mourinho acknowledged the involvement of FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem in discussions about Alonso's future in the sport. Alonso has yet to confirm his commitment to Aston Martin or the championship, and the FIA is exploring ways to encourage him to remain in Formula 1. Mourinho expressed his fondness for the sport and the drivers, while also being mindful of the hospitality he receives from the F1 community.
Sun 13 Sep · 07:57 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell reveals reason behind wait for Mercedes F1 engine penaltyGeorge Russell has decided to postpone his engine penalty until the upcoming triple-header in the Americas, despite his teammate Kimi Antonelli opting to take his penalty at Monza. Russell's strategy is influenced by Mercedes' plan to introduce a new internal combustion engine specification, which he aims to coincide with his penalty to avoid incurring multiple penalties for component changes.
Russell's current engine issues have forced him to exceed the standard allocation of components, leading to the need for a penalty. While Antonelli successfully recovered from a grid penalty to win at Monza, Russell believes that waiting for the upgrade will ultimately be more beneficial, as taking the penalty now would only lead to another penalty when the new components are introduced.
Sun 13 Sep · 07:30 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA confirms Charles Leclerc decision after Spanish Grand Prix investigationThe FIA has confirmed that Charles Leclerc will not face punishment following an investigation into his performance during qualifying at the Spanish Grand Prix. The stewards determined that Ferrari was solely responsible for the delta time discrepancies, which led to Leclerc's failure to meet the required time limits between Safety Car lines. As a result, Ferrari received a reprimand, while Leclerc was deemed not at fault for the incident.
In qualifying, Leclerc secured the fifth-fastest time but expressed concerns that using an older power unit specification may have hindered his performance. He noted that he lost significant time in the first sector of his lap, which he plans to analyze further. Despite the challenges, Leclerc maintained that his lap was clean overall.
Sun 13 Sep · 06:44 UTC
via newsonf1.comVerstappen says Alonso must decide F1 future himselfSep.13 (GMM) Max Verstappen says Fernando Alonso should not be persuaded into extending his Formula 1 career, as the Spaniard continues to blame the current regulations for making him consider walking away. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has openly said he wants to convince the 45-year-old to stay, but Verstappen believes the decision belongs entirely…
via f1technical.netNorris opens up why he does not have a delta on his streering wheelLando Norris achieved pole position at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix, showcasing a remarkable final lap that saw him improve his time by seven and a half tenths. Despite missing a practice session, he quickly adapted during qualifying and outperformed his teammate Oscar Piastri, who faced challenges in Q2 and Q3 due to tire strategy decisions.
Norris's performance was notable as his car lacked a traditional delta time display, forcing him to rely on his instincts and car sensations to gauge his performance. The new Madring circuit presented additional challenges with evolving grip levels, but Norris managed to find the right balance and timing to secure his third pole of the season.
Sat 12 Sep · 23:00 UTC
via f1technical.netRussell opens up on why he was unable to match Antonelli's speed in Madrid qualifyingKimi Antonelli narrowly lost pole position to Lando Norris by just 0.011 seconds during the qualifying session for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring. Antonelli had shown strong pace throughout the day, including topping the final practice session, and will start the race from second on the grid, which he believes offers a good opportunity despite the challenges of overtaking on the new circuit.
George Russell, on the other hand, faced a frustrating qualifying session. After being the fastest in Q1, he struggled with understeer in Q3, which hindered his performance and resulted in a sixth-place finish. Russell remains optimistic about the race, citing potential opportunities to recover positions due to expected high tyre degradation.Sat 12 Sep · 22:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMercedes F1 boss reveals Spanish GP tyre concern: 'Our strategy chief said six stops'Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff expressed surprise at the high levels of tyre degradation observed during the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit. Despite expectations of minimal wear due to the new asphalt, the team faced challenges with tyre temperatures and wear, leading to a significant degradation rate of eight tenths per lap.
Wolff revealed that the team's chief strategist had proposed the possibility of six pit stops during the race, although he later revised this prediction to one stop. This race comes after a successful weekend for Mercedes at Monza, where they achieved a one-two finish, with Kimi Antonelli leading the drivers' championship.
Sat 12 Sep · 20:15 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen makes ‘BS’ claim as Lando Norris delivers lap of the GodsLando Norris achieved an impressive pole position at the Madring for the Spanish Grand Prix, narrowly beating Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. This performance came as a surprise, as Antonelli was considered the frontrunner for the pole before qualifying began. The Ferrari drivers, despite their strong expectations, ended up in fourth and fifth places, while George Russell rounded out the top six.
Max Verstappen criticized the new Madring circuit, labeling a claim about the lack of overtaking space as 'BS.' His comments reflect ongoing discussions about the circuit's design and its impact on racing dynamics. The qualifying session showcased the competitive nature of the field, with Norris's standout lap highlighting his potential in the championship.Sat 12 Sep · 19:30 UTC
via Formula1.comWhat the teams said – Qualifying in SpainLando Norris of McLaren achieved pole position for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, clocking a lap time of 1:31.824. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, faced challenges during qualifying, ultimately finishing in 7th place. Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes narrowly missed pole, qualifying 2nd, while George Russell ended up in 6th position after a less than ideal final run.
The qualifying session highlighted the competitive nature of the field, with only fractions of seconds separating the top drivers. Teams expressed mixed feelings about their performances, with McLaren celebrating Norris's achievement while acknowledging Piastri's potential for improvement. Mercedes remained optimistic about their chances in the race despite the challenges posed by the track conditions.
Sat 12 Sep · 19:12 UTC
via espn.comKimi Antonelli Anticipates Cautious Start at Madring Grand PrixKimi Antonelli is preparing for a cautious approach during the early laps of the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at Madring. The young Mercedes driver noted that the unfamiliarity of the track may lead to a conservative driving style initially.
+ 1 moreSat 12 Sep · 19:07 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris hailed for "sensational" Spanish GP pole after FP2 setback: "Found his beast mode"Lando Norris achieved a surprising pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, receiving significant praise from fans for his performance. He narrowly edged out championship leader Kimi Antonelli by a mere 0.011 seconds, with Max Verstappen in third place. Norris's accomplishment was particularly impressive given that he missed most of the second free practice session due to a gearbox problem, which affected his preparation for qualifying.
Fans expressed their admiration for Norris's lap, describing it as 'sensational' and noting that he seems to have found a new level of confidence this season. The upcoming race is set to take place on September 13, highlighting the excitement surrounding Norris's recent form and the competitive nature of the event.
Sat 12 Sep · 18:23 UTC
via AutosportF1 drivers criticise Madrid circuit, Verstappen laughs: "I'll sort it out"F1 drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, have expressed concerns about the new Madrid circuit, particularly its lack of overtaking opportunities and poorly designed braking zones. Verstappen noted that the circuit's layout makes it challenging for drivers to pass each other, which could lead to a less exciting race experience.
Additionally, both drivers criticized the long pitlane, which they believe complicates race strategy due to its design. Verstappen mentioned that he would be willing to provide input on track design improvements in the future, emphasizing the importance of driver feedback in creating better racing environments.
Sat 12 Sep · 18:18 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA confirms Kimi Antonelli's Spanish GP penaltyKimi Antonelli won the Spanish Grand Prix, but his victory has sparked controversy among fans regarding track limits. The FIA has confirmed its decision following an investigation into the race.+ 1 moreSat 12 Sep · 17:53 UTC
via Motorsport.comF1 Spanish GP at Madring: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watchThe Spanish Grand Prix at Madring will feature Lando Norris starting from pole position after a close qualifying session, where he narrowly edged out championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Max Verstappen will begin the race in third place, while George Russell qualified sixth, indicating a competitive field for the event.
The weather forecast for the race day predicts hot and dry conditions, with temperatures reaching around 32°C. This will pose challenges for teams regarding tire management and vehicle cooling as they adapt to the new circuit layout, which combines public roads with high-speed sections.Sat 12 Sep · 17:49 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA launches double Mercedes investigation at Spanish Grand PrixThe FIA has initiated investigations into Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli following the qualifying session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. Russell faces scrutiny for not adhering to the race director's instructions when rejoining the track, while Antonelli is being examined for possibly driving too slowly during the session. Russell's provisional grid position is P6, and Antonelli will start from second place.
The investigations come at a critical time for both drivers, especially for Russell, whose championship hopes could be impacted. Antonelli's performance has been notable, having recently moved significantly ahead in the points standings. The outcome of these investigations may influence the dynamics of the race and the championship battle.Sat 12 Sep · 15:45 UTC
via RaceFansStewards summon Antonelli, Russell and Leclerc over qualifying breaches | Formula 1The stewards have summoned three drivers, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc, for potential breaches of qualifying regulations. Russell is being investigated for not adhering to the proper procedure on an escape road, while both Antonelli and Leclerc are under scrutiny for driving too slowly between Safety Car lines during Q3.
Additionally, Carlos Sainz Jnr has been summoned for potentially impeding Valtteri Bottas. Other drivers noted for similar infractions were cleared, indicating a focused investigation on the actions of the summoned drivers.
Sat 12 Sep · 15:29 UTC
via espn.comHamilton crashes in FP3, ignored Ferrari instructionLewis Hamilton experienced a crash during the final practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, losing control of his Ferrari and colliding with the barriers. Despite sustaining damage and receiving repeated instructions from his team to stop the car, Hamilton attempted to return to the pits, showcasing his determination to complete the lap.
Ultimately, Hamilton was forced to pull over after two-thirds of the lap and exited the car, which was later transported back to the pits. Charles Leclerc recorded the fastest time in the session prior to Hamilton's incident.Sat 12 Sep · 13:03 UTC
via Motorsport WeekCarlos Sainz confirms Williams ‘putting all the eggs in next year’s basket’Carlos Sainz expressed confidence in Williams' future despite a challenging season, stating that the team is 'putting all the eggs in next year's basket.' Currently, Williams sits ninth in the Constructor's Standings with only 11 points, and Sainz noted that both he and teammate Alex Albon have not added to their tally since the Monaco Grand Prix. An upgraded chassis is expected to be introduced at the upcoming race in Azerbaijan, which Sainz hopes will improve their performance.
Sainz also highlighted the importance of learning from the difficulties faced this season, referring to it as a 'bump on the road.' He emphasized the need for the team to bounce back next year and show signs of improvement. Despite the current struggles, Sainz reaffirmed his commitment to Williams by signing a multi-year contract extension, indicating his belief in the team's potential to turn things around.Sat 12 Sep · 10:00 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 UTCPage 19 of 45