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via PlanetF1Spanish GP conclusions: Imaginary Hamilton challenge over, Norris joins elite, soulless MadringKimi Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Spanish Grand Prix, solidifying his lead in the championship standings. His win came after Lando Norris, who was leading, lost his position due to a virtual safety car, allowing Max Verstappen to finish second. Antonelli's performance has positioned him as a strong contender for the world championship, with a significant points gap over his closest rival, George Russell.
Lando Norris has demonstrated significant growth as a driver, particularly highlighted by his recent victory at the Dutch Grand Prix. His ability to seize opportunities on the track has improved, as evidenced by his strategic overtaking of Antonelli during that race. With his recent performances, Norris is now regarded as one of the elite drivers in Formula 1, showcasing a newfound confidence that has elevated his racing capabilities.Wikimedia Commons · Off The Track Media · CC BY 2.0Ben Sulayem claims Alonso has decided to stayFIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has revealed that Fernando Alonso has privately assured him of his intention to remain in Formula 1. Despite this claim, Alonso has yet to make an official announcement, and discussions with Aston Martin regarding a new contract are reportedly complex, with financial terms and regulatory dissatisfaction being key issues.
Alonso expressed his feelings about the Madrid GP, stating he was unsure if it would be his last race in Spain. He also highlighted the need for improvements in the current F1 product, indicating that his discussions with the FIA are separate from his personal decision. Additionally, Alonso's race was marred by an incident with Carlos Sainz, who received a penalty for the contact.
via RacingNews365Hamilton Discusses Ferrari Retirement During Spanish Grand PrixLewis Hamilton experienced his first retirement of the 2026 season during the Spanish Grand Prix. Max Verstappen found humor in Hamilton's explanation regarding the circumstances of the Ferrari retirement.
via Motorsport WeekMax Verstappen Criticizes Racing Decisions After Spanish GP IncidentMax Verstappen expressed frustration over a racing decision during the Spanish Grand Prix. He was particularly upset about being instructed to relinquish positions gained after a first-lap clash with Lewis Hamilton.
via Sky Sports F1'There's no stopping Antonelli' - Hamilton says 2026 F1 title bid is overLewis Hamilton faced a setback in his 2026 title bid after retiring early from the Spanish Grand Prix due to a brake-pedal issue. This retirement allowed Kimi Antonelli to secure his eighth victory of the season, further extending his lead in the championship standings over his Mercedes teammate George Russell.
Despite his significant lead, Antonelli remains focused on a race-by-race approach rather than contemplating the championship. Hamilton's early retirement has left him 101 points behind Antonelli, while Lando Norris trails Hamilton by five points in the standings.
via f1oversteer.comLiam Lawson disagrees with Laurent Mekies’ verdict on his Spanish Grand Prix performanceLiam Lawson achieved his best finish as a Red Bull driver by placing sixth in the Spanish Grand Prix, aided by Lewis Hamilton's retirement. This performance marked an improvement from his previous race at Zandvoort, where he finished seventh. Lawson's strategy involved extending his hard tires until lap 44, and he engaged in a notable battle with McLaren's Oscar Piastri during the race.
Despite his strong finish, Lawson disagreed with team principal Laurent Mekies, who stated that he had extracted everything from the car. Lawson indicated that he believed there was more performance to be found and mentioned issues he faced earlier in the race. As he awaits confirmation for his next race in Azerbaijan, Red Bull has not provided updates on the injury timeline of his teammate.
via racer.comFerrari mulls what might have been as Hamilton concedes title hopes are overIn the recent Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that his chances for the championship are over after losing 25 points to Kimi Antonelli, who secured his second consecutive victory and eighth of the season. Hamilton faced early retirement due to brake issues, while his teammate Charles Leclerc managed to finish fourth despite the challenges faced during the race.
Leclerc expressed satisfaction with the car's performance but highlighted concerns regarding Ferrari's qualifying pace, which affects their ability to compete effectively in races. He noted that while the car showed strong pace on hard tires, starting further back on the grid complicates their race strategy.
via f1oversteer.comAlonso and Sainz blame each other for Madrid crashFernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz exchanged accusations following their collision during the race at the Madring circuit. Alonso criticized Sainz for forcing him toward the wall, while Sainz defended himself by calling the penalty excessive and pointing to the track's design.
via f1oversteer.comMartin Brundle says time is up for one Formula 1 driver he absolutely lovesMartin Brundle has expressed that Aston Martin should consider a complete overhaul of their driver lineup, suggesting that Fernando Alonso should be let go as the team looks to rebuild. Despite Alonso being the only driver to score points for Aston Martin this season, the team is struggling at the bottom of the standings, and Brundle believes it's time for a fresh start with younger drivers.
Brundle acknowledges Alonso's contributions to F1 but questions the wisdom of extending his contract given his age and the team's current performance. Alonso's future in the sport seems uncertain, as he has voiced concerns about upcoming regulations, and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has indicated he will try to persuade Alonso to remain in F1.
via CrashSpanish GP brake failure ends impressive Lewis Hamilton F1 2026 streakLewis Hamilton had to retire from the Spanish Grand Prix due to a brake failure, which occurred on lap seven of the race. He started in fourth position and managed to climb to third before reporting that he had 'no brakes' on his Ferrari, leading to his eventual retirement after struggling to control the car.
This incident marks the end of Hamilton's impressive record of completing every lap in the 2026 season and significantly impacts his championship hopes, as he is now 76 points behind the leader, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, before the race even began.
via Motorsport WeekEx-F1 star urges Spain to ‘not fall asleep’ on producing the next Fernando AlonsoPedro de la Rosa, a former F1 driver, has called for increased investment in young Spanish drivers to ensure the continuation of success in Formula 1, following the legacies of Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz. He emphasized the importance of nurturing new talent to maintain Spain's presence in the sport, especially with the recent addition of the Madring circuit hosting its second Grand Prix.
De la Rosa praised the rapid development of the Madring circuit and highlighted the need for Spanish companies to support emerging drivers. He noted that while Spain currently has notable drivers, the lack of investment could hinder the country's chances of producing future champions. De la Rosa's comments serve as a reminder for Spain to capitalize on its current F1 successes and actively foster the next generation of racing talent.
via F1iFernando Alonso warns F1 must improve before 2031Fernando Alonso has expressed his frustration with the current state of Formula 1, stating that the sport cannot continue in its present form. The Aston Martin driver emphasised the need for significant improvements, insisting that waiting until 2031 for a 'proper sport' is unacceptable.
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton in Ferrari engine change at F1 Spanish Grand Prix - Ted KravitzLewis Hamilton has opted to change his engine at the F1 Spanish Grand Prix, reverting from the new ADUO2 power unit to the previous specification. This decision aligns him with his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who had already made a similar switch to avoid a grid penalty. Hamilton had initially planned to use the new engine but changed course after Friday's practice sessions.
This engine change does not incur a grid penalty for Hamilton, as he is still within the allowed number of engine components for the season. Both drivers are now on equal footing regarding engine performance, which could impact their competitiveness during the race.
via RacingNews365F1 teams weighing up Madrid gamble as key decision awaitsThe Spanish Grand Prix is set to take place at the new Madring Circuit, with Lando Norris starting from pole position after a strong qualifying performance. He is looking to continue his winning streak, having won the last two races from pole, and aims to become the first driver to win at this new venue.
Teams are deliberating between a one-stop and a two-stop race strategy, with Pirelli indicating that a one-stop strategy may be more effective. However, high temperatures could lead to increased tire wear, prompting teams to consider the risks of a two-stop strategy, especially given the long pit lane and potential traffic issues.
via CrashTwist in Madrid Ferrari power deficit between Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeclercDuring the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were initially set to use different power units, with Leclerc on the older ADUO 1 due to a crash in the previous race. However, Hamilton reverted to the same ADUO 1 unit before Saturday's qualifying, eliminating any power deficit between the two drivers.
Hamilton qualified fourth, narrowly beating Leclerc by just 0.006 seconds. Leclerc expressed concerns that using the older engine affected his performance, particularly in the first sector of the track. Ferrari is still assessing the condition of Leclerc's ADUO 2 power unit for future use.
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.
via RacingNews365Fernando Alonso responds to FIA president with rousing F1 pleaFernando Alonso has publicly responded to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's efforts to retain him in Formula 1 beyond 2026. Currently, Alonso has only three points in the ongoing season, as Aston Martin and Honda face challenges with their performance. Despite some improvements following upgrades, Alonso is weighing his options for the future and has expressed concerns about the competitive state of the sport.
Alonso criticized the current regulations, stating that high-speed corners have become more about battery charge than driver skill. He believes that the sport should allow for more driver input and competitiveness, rather than relying heavily on technology. Alonso's comments highlight his commitment to improving Formula 1 and ensuring it remains a true test of driving ability.
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton explains loss of pole at Spanish Grand PrixLewis Hamilton acknowledged that a mistake on his part cost him the opportunity to secure pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix. After initially leading in the qualifying session, he ultimately finished fourth.
via f1oversteer.comFernando Alonso thinks Aston Martin’s press officer could be ‘faster’ than Max Verstappen at MadringFernando Alonso has voiced his discontent with the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, suggesting that they diminish the role of driver skill in racing. He made a comparison between Aston Martin's press officer and Max Verstappen, claiming that the press officer could potentially outperform Verstappen due to the current car dynamics and battery power management.
Alonso's performance at the Spanish Grand Prix was disappointing, as he qualified in P18, significantly behind the pole position time. He emphasized that the new regulations have made it so that driver bravery and skill are less impactful, particularly at challenging corners like La Monumental, which he believes should allow skilled drivers to stand out.
via PlanetF1Anthony Davidson criticises Lewis Hamilton's actionsSky Sports F1 analyst Anthony Davidson has criticised Lewis Hamilton for his conduct during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. Davidson advised young drivers to learn from Hamilton's mistake, stating, "You just don't do that."Page 17 of 42
