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via f1chronicle.comGeorge Russell Admits He Is ‘Not in the Fight’ for the F1 Title After Kimi Antonelli’s Madrid WinGeorge Russell has acknowledged that he is no longer in contention for the Formula 1 drivers' championship after finishing fifth in the Spanish Grand Prix, where teammate Kimi Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the season. With an 81-point gap between them, Russell has decided to focus on assisting Mercedes in their quest for the Constructors' Championship instead of pursuing his own title ambitions.
Despite starting the weekend strong, Russell's performance declined through practice and qualifying, ultimately leading to a disappointing race outcome. He expressed frustration with the team's pit strategy but later conceded that the hard tire used was the superior choice. As the season progresses, Russell's priorities have shifted towards contributing to the team's success, with the next race scheduled in Baku, where he aims to help Mercedes defend their Constructors' title.
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton investigation underway as Max Verstappen reveals quit thoughts - RacingNews365 ReviewFerrari has launched a thorough investigation into the brake system failure that led to Lewis Hamilton's early exit from the Spanish Grand Prix. This incident has raised concerns about the reliability of the team's equipment and its impact on race outcomes.
In other news, Max Verstappen revealed that he had seriously considered leaving Formula 1 before committing to a new deal with Red Bull that extends through 2030. Additionally, former F1 driver Romain Grosjean issued an apology for misrepresenting comments regarding Oscar Piastri, while Jody Scheckter faced a significant legal loss related to a tax dispute.
Mon 14 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via grandprix.comVerstappen says he seriously considered quitting F1Max Verstappen revealed that he contemplated leaving Formula 1 before deciding to extend his contract with Red Bull until 2030. His previous deal was set to last until 2028, and he clarified that his decision was not about switching teams but rather about potentially exiting the sport altogether. Despite facing challenges with the new regulations, Verstappen expressed that he still enjoys racing and believes the team is making progress.
At 28 years old and already a four-time world champion, Verstappen feels no pressure to prove himself further. He emphasized that his continued participation in Formula 1 hinges on his enjoyment of the sport, rather than chasing statistics. The extension of his contract secures his immediate future, but he has not committed to a retirement timeline, leaving the door open for his career to evolve based on his satisfaction with racing.
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 RacingNews365Madring layout criticised after Lando Norris victoryLando Norris has expressed his dissatisfaction with the current virtual safety car rules in Formula 1, describing them as unfair. The recent Spanish Grand Prix has also sparked discussions about the Madring layout and its impact on overtaking opportunities.Mon 14 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher says Fred Vasseur was clearly ‘annoyed’ with Lewis Hamilton before Spanish GPRalf Schumacher observed that Fred Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, expressed annoyance towards Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. This frustration stemmed from the ongoing conflict between Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, which had escalated during the previous race at Monza, where Leclerc's actions led to controversy and criticism of Ferrari's team orders.
During the Spanish GP, Hamilton faced further disappointment as he retired early due to brake failure. This incident, combined with Leclerc's performance, highlighted the challenges Ferrari is facing in maintaining a cohesive team dynamic. Vasseur emphasized the importance of teamwork among drivers to improve their competitive standing in the championship.Mon 14 Sep · 14:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Antonelli’s honest admission after Verstappen and Norris Spanish GP turning pointsKimi Antonelli achieved his eighth career win at the Spanish Grand Prix, but he expressed mixed feelings about the victory. He highlighted that Lando Norris's unfortunate pit stop during a Virtual Safety Car and Max Verstappen's situation with Lewis Hamilton significantly influenced the race's outcome, allowing him to take the lead and ultimately win.
Despite the win, Antonelli felt that his performance did not warrant the victory, admitting that Norris had driven better throughout the race. He acknowledged areas for improvement in his own driving and looked forward to the next race in Baku.
Mon 14 Sep · 13:30 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 PlanetF1Winners and losers from the 2026 Spanish Grand PrixKimi Antonelli emerged victorious at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, claiming maximum points despite feeling he didn't fully deserve the win. His race was aided by a series of fortunate events, including a Virtual Safety Car that allowed him to gain a lead after starting in third place. Antonelli acknowledged that Lando Norris, who had a strong performance, was the deserving winner under different circumstances.
Lewis Hamilton had a challenging weekend, marked by practice incidents and a crash that hindered his race. He experienced brake issues that ultimately forced him to retire early. Meanwhile, Lando Norris, who started from pole and led initially, was affected by the timing of the Virtual Safety Car, which cost him a potential victory.Mon 14 Sep · 12:24 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli wins 2026 Spanish Grand PrixKimi Antonelli secured his first victory at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix held in Madrid, while Lando Norris expressed disappointment over his misfortune during the race. The event showcased a competitive field, with driver ratings reflecting the performances of the participants.+ 1 moreMon 14 Sep · 12:00 UTC
via espn.comLando Norris criticises Virtual Safety Car rulesLando Norris has described the Virtual Safety Car rules as 'unfair' after losing the Spanish Grand Prix to Kimi Antonelli. Norris held a six-second lead when the Virtual Safety Car was deployed, which ultimately affected his race outcome.
+ 1 moreMon 14 Sep · 11:00 UTC
via theguardian.comSpanish GP plans to change Madring after fierce criticism from F1 driversFollowing the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring, there are plans to modify the circuit due to significant criticism from drivers. The race, which saw Kimi Antonelli take victory, was characterized by a lack of overtaking opportunities, leading to disappointment among competitors and fans alike. Drivers like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen highlighted the need for design changes to enhance racing excitement and facilitate overtaking.
Discussions regarding potential alterations to the track layout are already underway, with the circuit's management open to suggestions. Despite the logistical success of the event, the racing experience fell short of expectations, prompting calls for improvements to ensure a more thrilling competition in future races.
Mon 14 Sep · 10:57 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 F1iLeclerc defends Ferrari call as Vasseur sees missed Madring winCharles Leclerc expressed confidence in Ferrari's strategic decision during the Spanish Grand Prix, where he led for a significant portion of the race. Despite the team's gamble on a hard-tyre strategy, they did not receive the hoped-for Safety Car, leading to Leclerc finishing in fourth place without regrets about the strategy employed.
Fred Vasseur, Ferrari's team principal, assessed that the team had the potential for a race win based on their pace, particularly during Leclerc's long stint on hard tires. He emphasized that the team's focus should be on improving their qualifying performance, as they struggled to secure a better starting position, which ultimately affected their race outcome.
Mon 14 Sep · 10:26 UTC
via Formula1.comWhy Vasseur believes Ferrari had the pace to win in MadridFred Vasseur expressed confidence in Ferrari's performance during the Spanish Grand Prix, suggesting that Charles Leclerc had the potential to win if circumstances had favored him. Leclerc's strategy of not pitting during the Virtual Safety Car allowed him to lead for a time, but ultimately he finished fourth after a long stint on hard tires without a safety intervention to aid his strategy.
Hamilton's race ended prematurely due to a brake issue, marking his first DNF of the season. He had a strong start but quickly fell back as he struggled with braking. Vasseur noted that the team's strategy was sound, but they missed opportunities in qualifying that impacted their overall race performance.Mon 14 Sep · 09:09 UTC
via f1technical.netHamilton offers explanation for his technical issues at the MadringLewis Hamilton faced a disappointing end to the Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring, retiring due to a brake issue that emerged while he was racing. After showing competitive pace throughout the weekend, Hamilton's race took a turn when he experienced a malfunction with the brake pedal, leading to a collision with the barrier. This incident marked his first did not finish (DNF) of the 2026 season, despite his belief that he had a car capable of winning the race.
While Hamilton's race ended prematurely, teammate Charles Leclerc managed to secure a fourth-place finish, employing an aggressive strategy that allowed him to lead for a significant portion of the race. Despite the mixed results, Ferrari demonstrated strong performance and potential, leaving the team optimistic for future races. Hamilton expressed gratitude towards his team for their efforts and highlighted the missed opportunity to capitalize on their competitive package.
Mon 14 Sep · 08:50 UTC
via f1technical.netMercedes reveal how Ferrari's strategy influenced their own strategy decisionsAt the Spanish Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes executed a well-timed strategy that capitalized on a Virtual Safety Car, leading to his victory. Starting from second, Antonelli initially lost ground but regained the lead after a quick pit stop during the VSC, allowing him to control the race and secure his eighth win of the season. Mercedes' Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin praised the team's execution and readiness to adapt to changing race conditions.
George Russell, on the other hand, faced a more complicated race. After starting sixth, he made contact with another driver and had to adjust his strategy to differentiate from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Despite switching to medium compound tyres during the VSC, Russell struggled with performance and ultimately returned to hard tyres. The race highlighted the unexpected effectiveness of the hard compound, which influenced the overall strategy for many teams, including Mercedes, who emerged with valuable points and a strong position in the championship.Mon 14 Sep · 08:22 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 UTCPage 15 of 61
