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via f1oversteer.comMartin Brundle suggests simple F1 rule change after virtual safety car ‘robbed’ Lando NorrisAfter the Spanish Grand Prix, Martin Brundle expressed that Lando Norris was unfairly deprived of victory due to the timing of a virtual safety car (VSC). Norris, who had been leading the race, lost his advantage when the VSC allowed competitors Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen to pit without losing time. Both drivers acknowledged that they did not deserve to win under those circumstances, highlighting the impact of race conditions on outcomes.
Norris suggested a potential rule change to ensure that the VSC remains in effect for at least one lap, allowing all drivers the opportunity to pit. Brundle agreed with this proposal, noting that it could create a fairer racing environment, although it might reduce the amount of full-speed racing time. The discussion around the VSC's timing and its implications for race fairness is set to be addressed in an upcoming drivers' briefing.
Mon 14 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via Formula1.comMekies explains decision to ask Verstappen to give back placesDuring the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was instructed by Red Bull to relinquish positions after an early clash with Lewis Hamilton. Despite his initial resistance, Verstappen complied and later managed to finish the race in second place after Hamilton's retirement due to brake issues.
Red Bull's Team Principal, Laurent Mekies, justified the decision to ask Verstappen to give back places, emphasizing that it was better to take a minor penalty than risk a larger one later. Following the race, Verstappen's performance left him sixth in the Drivers' Championship, while Red Bull sits fourth in the Constructors' standings.
Mon 14 Sep · 12:46 UTC
via grandprix.comWolff questions George Russell's inconsistent paceToto Wolff has expressed concern over George Russell's lack of consistent pace during races. The team is seeking to understand why Russell's speed fluctuates rather than remaining steady throughout the weekend.
via grandprix.comRed Bull's car degradation may continue in 2027Red Bull Racing is facing ongoing issues with car degradation, as highlighted by Max Verstappen's comments regarding the RB22's performance loss during races. Team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged that this problem is complex and has been persistent, indicating that a solution is unlikely to be found before the 2027 season.
The team made some progress in a recent race in Madrid, but the underlying issues remain unresolved. As they prepare for upcoming races, Red Bull is also developing a new car that may carry over some of the existing performance challenges./GettyImages-2294616851.webp)
via Formula1.comWolff on the challenge of unlocking Russell’s potentialGeorge Russell faced another setback in his championship aspirations as he finished fifth in the Spanish Grand Prix, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli took the victory, extending his lead in the Drivers' Championship to 81 points. Russell's performance was hindered by issues with tyre degradation, and despite a two-stop strategy, he could not compete for a higher position, finishing significantly behind Antonelli and close to Charles Leclerc.
Toto Wolff emphasized the need for Mercedes to help Russell unlock his potential, acknowledging his past successes in various racing categories. With nine races remaining in the season, Wolff noted that the situation could change quickly due to the unpredictable nature of motorsport, urging the team to focus on each race rather than the points standings.Mon 14 Sep · 10:27 UTC
via f1technical.netWolff offers explanation for Russell's suboptimal strategy at the MadringKimi Antonelli achieved a significant milestone by winning the Spanish Grand Prix at the newly introduced Madring circuit, marking Mercedes' first victory at this venue. Despite facing challenges during the race, including a strong start and a strategic pit stop during a Virtual Safety Car, Antonelli managed to secure the lead and maintain control to finish first. Team principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli's performance and highlighted the importance of the victory for the team's morale, especially given the lack of recent upgrades to the car.
On the other hand, George Russell had a more difficult race, finishing in fifth place after a series of strategic missteps. Initially starting on hard tires, Russell's strategy was compromised by the Virtual Safety Car, leading to a switch to medium tires that did not perform as expected. Wolff acknowledged the unfortunate timing of the VSC for Russell but remained optimistic about the team's performance overall. With the championship battle intensifying, Mercedes is looking forward to the upcoming triple-header races with renewed confidence.
Mon 14 Sep · 08:22 UTC
via f1technical.net"It’s kind of the story of the season," claims Russell after he lost further ground ...Kimi Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Spanish Grand Prix, taking advantage of a well-timed pit stop during the Virtual Safety Car period. Despite a strong start, Antonelli faced challenges early in the race but managed to regain control and finish ahead of his competitors, further solidifying his lead in the Drivers' Championship. George Russell, on the other hand, struggled with strategy decisions that left him finishing in fifth place, despite starting sixth and showing good pace on hard tires.
Russell's race was marred by a contact incident and a costly pit stop during the VSC, which he felt disadvantaged him compared to those on medium tires. After the race, he reflected on the team's strategy and expressed a shift in focus towards supporting Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship, acknowledging the difficulties of overtaking at the Madrid circuit. With the championship heading to Baku, Russell emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum as the season progresses.Mon 14 Sep · 08:22 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell calls for changes to Madring circuitAfter experiencing head pain during the Spanish Grand Prix, George Russell has urged for modifications to the Madring circuit. The driver expressed concerns about the track's layout following his discomfort.
+ 1 moreMon 14 Sep · 06:10 UTC
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.
Mon 14 Sep · 05:08 UTC
via newsonf1.comMekies admits ‘car degradation’ problem will lingerLaurent Mekies, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has acknowledged that the team is struggling to fully comprehend the 'car degradation' issues that Max Verstappen has been experiencing. This problem, which affects the performance of the RB22 during races and practice sessions, is expected to continue into the 2027 season, despite some progress made in recent races.
Verstappen has expressed his frustration with the situation, indicating that he does not foresee a comeback in the championship standings. Mekies has refrained from disclosing the specific causes of the degradation but recognizes its complexity, suggesting that it will remain a challenge for the team in the near future.
via lightsoutblog.com2026 Spanish Grand Prix: Race Statistics, Facts and TriviaKimi Antonelli secured victory at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the first winner at the new MADRING circuit and achieving his eighth win of the season. This victory allowed him to surpass teammate George Russell on the all-time wins list, while Max Verstappen maintained his record of finishing on the podium at every circuit on the current calendar.
In addition to Antonelli's success, Charles Leclerc reached a milestone by leading 1,000 laps in his career. The race saw several retirements, including Lewis Hamilton, who faced braking issues, and Lance Stroll, who had a third consecutive DNF. The results highlighted the competitive nature of the season, with notable performances from drivers like Lando Norris and Liam Lawson.
via f1chronicle.comToto Wolff Dismisses ‘Couch Warriors’ Criticism of Mercedes’ Handling of George Russell at MonzaToto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, defended the team's decision to pit George Russell during the Italian Grand Prix, which critics claimed cost him the win. He referred to the critics as 'couch warriors' and emphasized that the tyre strategy was sound, with Russell on a hard compound suited for a one-stop race while Antonelli, who won, was on fresher mediums after starting on hard tyres.
Wolff acknowledged the challenges of managing two title contenders within the same team and noted that such decisions are part of the competitive nature of Formula 1. He also mentioned a near-collision between Russell and Antonelli late in the race, which could have mirrored Ferrari's earlier mishap, highlighting the fine margins in racing.
via grandprix.comMcLaren tries to bring Lambiase move forwardMcLaren is reportedly in discussions with Red Bull to expedite Gianpiero Lambiase's move to their team, originally scheduled for 2028, to as early as 2027. This comes as Max Verstappen prepares to race without Lambiase for three weekends, during which Tom Hart is set to take over as his race engineer. The negotiations hinge on Red Bull's willingness to release Lambiase and any potential gardening leave he may need to serve.
Lambiase has been a key figure in Verstappen's career since 2016, and his departure will lead to a restructuring of responsibilities within Red Bull. Tom McCullough is expected to step in as Head of Racing. The situation gained traction after Lambiase was spotted conversing with McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, indicating potential collaboration. The effectiveness of the new arrangement will be tested during the upcoming races in Austin, Sao Paulo, and Las Vegas.
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.Sun 13 Sep · 20:00 UTC/GettyImages-2294377933.webp)
via Formula1.comWolff explains decision on Russell's tyre strategy in MadridToto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, defended the decision to have George Russell pit twice during the Spanish Grand Prix, despite Russell questioning the strategy during the race. Russell made his first pit stop for medium tyres during a Virtual Safety Car and later switched to hard tyres, ultimately finishing fifth, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli won the race with a one-stop strategy.
After the race, Russell reflected on the tyre choices and acknowledged that the hard tyre was the better option. He also indicated that he felt he could not have won the Drivers' Championship this season, as Antonelli extended his lead to 81 points. Wolff emphasized the need to help Russell unlock his potential, given his previous successes in lower racing categories.Sun 13 Sep · 18:45 UTC
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.
Sun 13 Sep · 18:28 UTC/16x9%20single%20image%20-%202026-09-13T175722.153.webp)
via Formula1.comGeorge Russell admits he is out of title contentionGeorge Russell has stated that he does not realistically see himself in contention for the Drivers' Championship this season. This admission follows teammate Kimi Antonelli's recent victory, marking his eighth win of the year.+ 1 moreSun 13 Sep · 17:12 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen issues comical response to successful Lando Norris defenceMax Verstappen achieved a surprising second-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, having started from third. His race included an early incident where he passed both Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli but was instructed by Red Bull to give those positions back. After Hamilton's retirement, Verstappen regained third place and eventually moved up to second when Lando Norris was unable to pit during a virtual safety car period.
In the final laps, Norris closed in on Verstappen but could not overtake due to the track's layout, which Verstappen criticized for lacking overtaking opportunities. Verstappen humorously explained his defense strategy, emphasizing the importance of positioning his car effectively to maintain grip and fend off Norris's advances.Sun 13 Sep · 15:20 UTC
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff gives his opinion on Max Verstappen’s upbringing now that his own son is racingToto Wolff has shared insights on Max Verstappen's upbringing, highlighting the intense training and guidance provided by his father, Jos Verstappen. Despite some regrets expressed by Jos, Max acknowledges the necessity of this tough love, which has contributed to their strong relationship and Max's success in Formula 1.
Wolff, who has a son racing in karting, is interested in how his own parenting approach will compare to that of the Verstappens. He admires the dynamic between Max and Jos and has expressed a desire to have Max join Mercedes in the future, although they currently remain fierce competitors.Sun 13 Sep · 12:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comVerstappen seeks overtaking strategies for Spanish GPMax Verstappen acknowledges the difficulty of overtaking at the Spanish Grand Prix. After qualifying third, he emphasizes the need to identify potential overtaking spots to compete with Lando Norris for the win.
+ 1 moreSun 13 Sep · 10:32 UTCPage 11 of 42
