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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 F1iRussell highlights worrying prospect for race day at MadringGeorge Russell expressed concerns about tyre degradation after the first day of practice at the new Madring circuit in Madrid. He noted that the track's unique characteristics could lead to significant thermal stress on the tyres, making race day a challenge for all teams. Russell's performance varied, as he topped the first practice session but slipped to fifth in the second due to set-up adjustments.
Mercedes' deputy team principal, Bradley Lord, echoed Russell's concerns, highlighting that the continuous cornering sequences on the track might lead to unexpected thermal effects on the tyres. With limited long-run data due to a crash during FP2, teams are left uncertain about tyre performance for the race, raising the possibility of a race strategy focused on managing thermal degradation.
Sat 12 Sep · 07:38 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris to rely on Oscar Piastri information in Madrid 'backfoot' recoveryLando Norris faced a setback at the Spanish Grand Prix when he was unable to participate in the second practice session due to a gearbox failure on his McLaren. This issue forced him to miss a significant portion of practice time, which he acknowledged would put him on the back foot as he prepares for the race weekend.
To compensate for the lost time, Norris intends to analyze data from his teammate Oscar Piastri, who successfully completed the session and finished seventh. Piastri noted the challenges of mastering the new circuit and highlighted the importance of tire management, indicating that both drivers will need to work hard to improve their performance ahead of qualifying.
Sat 12 Sep · 05:20 UTC
via grandprix.comFerrari reportedly holds back Leclerc engine as a precautionFerrari made a strategic decision to use an earlier engine specification for Charles Leclerc during the Madrid race as a precaution. This choice was influenced by the limited time available for checks on his upgraded Monza engine following an accident at the Italian Grand Prix, where initial inspections revealed no significant issues.
The team aimed to maximize preparation time on the unfamiliar circuit by avoiding potential complications from engine problems. While the Monza engine is still considered recoverable, Ferrari has not confirmed when it will be back in service, nor have they abandoned the upgrade.
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell shares childhood Silverstone connection and why he rejected bigger grandstandGeorge Russell has announced the launch of his own grandstand at Silverstone, set to debut in 2027. The George Russell Grandstand will be situated at Farm Curve, offering fans a three-day reserved seat along with an official T-shirt and access to various entertainment zones during the race weekend.
Russell explained his choice of the smaller grandstand, emphasizing that it provides the best view of multiple corners on the track. He also shared a nostalgic memory of attending Silverstone as a child in 2009, where he supported Sebastian Vettel, highlighting the significance of the circuit in his journey in Formula 1.
Fri 11 Sep · 21:55 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell makes grid penalty claim as F1 finally hits Madrid - RacingNews365 ReviewGeorge Russell has made a claim regarding his pending engine grid penalty, suggesting that Mercedes should have taken cues from teammate Kimi Antonelli's strategy during the Monza race. This comes as the Formula 1 series returns to Madrid for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, where teams are navigating various challenges.
In addition to Russell's comments, Lando Norris faced significant setbacks, missing an entire practice session due to gearbox problems. Meanwhile, Alex Albon raised concerns about safety at the new circuit, particularly regarding its banked corner, while Max Verstappen pinpointed areas for improvement for his team after a mixed performance on the first day.Fri 11 Sep · 20:05 UTC
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
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 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. ...
Fri 11 Sep · 18:00 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.Fri 11 Sep · 16:03 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 AutosportWhy Leclerc isn't using latest Ferrari ADUO2 engine in the Spanish GPCharles Leclerc is unable to use Ferrari's latest ADUO2 engine at the Spanish Grand Prix due to ongoing checks following his crash at the Italian GP. Although the engine was deemed structurally sound, Ferrari engineers opted against risking it until further examinations are completed, especially considering the new circuit's demands for data collection and setup optimization.
Leclerc will instead utilize the older ADUO1 engine, allowing Ferrari to assess performance differences between the two units. The decision reflects a cautious approach to ensure reliability and performance, especially given the challenges posed by the Madring circuit.
Fri 11 Sep · 14:33 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 BBC SportGeorge Russell Comments on Madrid Street Circuit's ChallengesDuring the first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, George Russell noted that the new Madrid street circuit presents a tighter margin for error compared to Monaco. His observations came as he set the fastest time on the track.
Fri 11 Sep · 12:46 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.
+ 3 moreFri 11 Sep · 12:40 UTC
via Motorsport WeekGeorge Russell leads in first practice at Spanish GPGeorge Russell achieved a strong performance by finishing in the top five during both FP1 and FP2 at the Spanish Grand Prix. The session allowed drivers to familiarize themselves with the complexities of the Madring circuit.+ 1 moreFri 11 Sep · 12:38 UTC
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.Fri 11 Sep · 12:37 UTC
via f1oversteer.comGeorge Russell hints at Mercedes changes after FP1George Russell achieved the fastest time in the first free practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix. The performance indicates a positive start for Mercedes, although potential changes may be needed on Russell's side of the garage.+ 1 moreFri 11 Sep · 12:34 UTC
via Motorsport.comJames Hinchcliffe warns Fred Vasseur faces "tremendous" pressure over Ferrari team ordersJames Hinchcliffe has expressed that Ferrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, is under significant pressure to clarify team orders between drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. This comes after recent races where both drivers faced challenges, including a lack of communication during the Dutch Grand Prix and a clash at the Italian Grand Prix.
Vasseur acknowledged the need for discussions regarding team orders but refuted claims of an internal crisis within Ferrari. He stated that while there are existing rules, they cannot cover every possible scenario on the track, indicating a need for clearer guidelines moving forward.Fri 11 Sep · 12:22 UTCPage 12 of 34
