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via RacingNews365George Russell draws first blood in Madrid as drivers frustrated by traffic chaosGeorge Russell achieved the fastest time in the opening practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, finishing with a time of 1:34.077. His teammate Kimi Antonelli followed closely in second place, as both Mercedes drivers showcased a strong start to the weekend.
Despite concerns about potential red flags due to the circuit's challenges, the session proceeded without major interruptions, aside from a brief yellow flag. Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton secured third and fourth positions, while Max Verstappen and Lando Norris rounded out the top six, highlighting the competitive nature of the session amidst traffic issues faced by several 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 gpfans.comLewis Hamilton claims Ferrari F1 move BLOCKED by Fernando AlonsoLewis Hamilton revealed that his potential move to Ferrari was hindered by Fernando Alonso, who held veto rights during negotiations. Hamilton stated that he spoke with former Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali about joining the team, but Alonso's status as the number one driver played a significant role in blocking the move.
Hamilton and Alonso previously had a tumultuous partnership at McLaren in 2007, which ended with Alonso leaving the team after just one season. While Alonso continued with Ferrari until 2014, Hamilton moved to Mercedes, where he achieved significant success, ultimately joining Ferrari in 2025.
via RacingNews365George Russell comes to 'crazy' realisation after 19 red flags in Madring testGeorge Russell reacted to the 19 red flags observed during the FIA F3 test at the Madring circuit, expressing that he expected more incidents based on his simulator experience. He highlighted the challenging nature of the track, which features tight walls and high-speed corners, making it a risky environment for drivers.
Russell drew comparisons between Madring and other circuits like Jeddah and Baku, emphasizing the difficulty of overtaking and the potential for accidents. He conveyed excitement about the upcoming challenges that the new circuit will present to drivers.
via RaceFansVideo: First onboard lap of Formula 1’s tight, slow new Madring circuit | BriefFirst onboard lap of Formula 1's tight, slow new Madring circuit
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 RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton Comments on Ferrari's Madring Filming Day BenefitsLewis Hamilton has stated that Ferrari gained minimal advantage from their recent filming day at the Madring track. The session involved running the 2026 car ahead of the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.
via lightsoutblog.com2026 Spanish Grand Prix: Milestones and F1 Records Which Could Be BrokenThe 2026 Spanish Grand Prix marks a significant milestone as it will be the 1,163rd race in Formula 1 history and the 64th event held in Spain. This race will take place at the new Madring, which is the sixth venue to host the Spanish Grand Prix. Red Bull is set to make their 431st Grand Prix start, potentially overtaking Tyrrell for fifth place in the all-time constructor starts list.
Several records are on the line during this event, including Lewis Hamilton's pursuit of a seventh Spanish Grand Prix victory, which would set him apart from Michael Schumacher. Additionally, Max Verstappen aims to secure his 72nd win with Red Bull, equaling Schumacher's record for the most victories with a single constructor. The race also presents opportunities for other drivers to achieve personal milestones, such as podium finishes and pole positions.
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.
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.
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.
via gpfans.comFerrari F1 boss rejects Lewis Hamilton request after showdown talksLewis Hamilton has voiced his concerns regarding the absence of formal 'rules of engagement' within the Ferrari team, particularly after incidents with teammate Charles Leclerc. Despite his frustrations, Hamilton described a recent conversation with team principal Fred Vasseur as positive, indicating that they are working towards better communication and understanding within the team.
In the lead-up to the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton acknowledged that he and Leclerc had an honest discussion to resolve their differences. He emphasized the importance of addressing team dynamics and expressed optimism about improving their collaboration, although he noted that the topic of engagement rules was not discussed due to the tight schedule between races.
via Motorsport.comHamilton Clarifies Stance on Team Dynamics at FerrariLewis Hamilton has stated that he does not seek preferential treatment over Charles Leclerc if he joins Ferrari. He emphasized that his focus remains on fair competition, despite being a potential title contender in 2026.
via f1oversteer.comOliver Bearman confirms Lewis Hamilton hardly ever uses simulator after Ferrari factory visitsOliver Bearman, a Haas driver, revealed that Lewis Hamilton utilizes the simulator less than any other driver in Formula 1. While Bearman and his teammate Esteban Ocon are currently using the Ferrari simulator, they face limitations, as Haas is in the process of developing their own simulator, which is not yet operational. Bearman noted that they spend a significant portion of their simulator time reprogramming software to match their car's specifications before they can work on setups.
Hamilton's reluctance to use the simulator stems from his belief that it was leading him in the wrong direction regarding car setup. Despite his minimal simulator usage, Hamilton has achieved notable success this season, including a race win and multiple podiums. Other drivers, like Max Verstappen, emphasize the importance of simulator sessions for team development, even if individual drivers may not find them personally beneficial.
via RacingNews365Leclerc and Hamilton Resolve Differences After Monza IncidentCharles Leclerc has acknowledged his role in the clash with Lewis Hamilton during the Italian Grand Prix, admitting he went too far in their battle. The two Ferrari teammates held discussions to clear the air and move forward positively.
via F1iSainz lifts lid on his Ferrari arguments with LeclercCarlos Sainz provided insights into the competitive dynamics at Ferrari, particularly regarding his relationship with Charles Leclerc. He acknowledged that friction is a natural part of racing when two elite drivers are vying for the same goals, sharing that he and Leclerc often had disagreements but were able to resolve them amicably soon after.
Sainz's perspective highlights that while conflicts may arise during intense competition, the key is to manage them effectively and maintain a collaborative spirit. This approach may serve as a valuable lesson for current Ferrari drivers, including Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, as they navigate their own challenges on the track.
via CrashCarlos Sainz reveals regular "arguments" with Charles Leclerc at FerrariCarlos Sainz has openly discussed the frequent arguments he has with his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, acknowledging that such conflicts are common among competitive teammates. He emphasized that these disagreements typically occur a few times each season, but they manage to resolve their issues amicably afterward.
The article also highlights the recent scrutiny Ferrari has faced regarding their handling of team orders, particularly in relation to Lewis Hamilton's championship bid. Following a disappointing performance at the Italian Grand Prix, where Hamilton finished sixth, team principal Fred Vasseur suggested that it was premature to implement team orders during the race.
via gpfans.comF1 star Charles Leclerc could miss Spanish GP, faces 'hardest return in sport' with FIA health testThe Italian Grand Prix is old news now, already yesterday's chip paper, but for Charles Leclerc and Ferrari it remains a central plot to this coming weekend in Madrid.Page 2 of 34