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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 thejudge13.comRed Bull confirms Isack Hadjar's recovery is on trackRed Bull Racing has provided an update on Isack Hadjar's recovery from injury, emphasizing the importance of his health over a rushed return. The team is planning further evaluations to determine his availability for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
+ 3 moreSun 13 Sep · 23:36 UTC
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./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/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 f1oversteer.comLando Norris Outperforming Oscar Piastri in 2026 SeasonRalf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya have commented on Lando Norris's performance relative to teammate Oscar Piastri at McLaren in 2026. Both analysts suggest that Norris's skills are highlighting Piastri's struggles in comparison.
Sun 13 Sep · 09:00 UTCvia RacingNews365George Russell reveals reason behind wait for Mercedes F1 engine penaltyGeorge Russell has decided to postpone his engine penalty until the upcoming triple-header in the Americas, despite his teammate Kimi Antonelli opting to take his penalty at Monza. Russell's strategy is influenced by Mercedes' plan to introduce a new internal combustion engine specification, which he aims to coincide with his penalty to avoid incurring multiple penalties for component changes.
Russell's current engine issues have forced him to exceed the standard allocation of components, leading to the need for a penalty. While Antonelli successfully recovered from a grid penalty to win at Monza, Russell believes that waiting for the upgrade will ultimately be more beneficial, as taking the penalty now would only lead to another penalty when the new components are introduced.Sun 13 Sep · 07:30 UTCvia f1technical.netRussell opens up on why he was unable to match Antonelli's speed in Madrid qualifyingKimi Antonelli narrowly lost pole position to Lando Norris by just 0.011 seconds during the qualifying session for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring. Antonelli had shown strong pace throughout the day, including topping the final practice session, and will start the race from second on the grid, which he believes offers a good opportunity despite the challenges of overtaking on the new circuit.
George Russell, on the other hand, faced a frustrating qualifying session. After being the fastest in Q1, he struggled with understeer in Q3, which hindered his performance and resulted in a sixth-place finish. Russell remains optimistic about the race, citing potential opportunities to recover positions due to expected high tyre degradation.Sat 12 Sep · 22:00 UTC
via f1chronicle.comGeorge Russell Warns of ‘Six-Stop’ Tyre Nightmare as New Madrid Circuit Piles Punishment on RubberGeorge Russell expressed concerns about tyre wear ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, highlighting that the high-speed corners, particularly La Monumental, are causing significant strain on the tyres. During practice, the team considered a six-stop strategy due to the extreme degradation observed, which could impact race performance.
Mercedes' deputy team principal, Bradley Lord, supported Russell's concerns, indicating that the continuous cornering without long straights for cooling could lead to unexpected tyre behavior. The circuit's unique layout, combined with Pirelli's harder tyre compounds, suggests that qualifying will be crucial for maintaining track position, especially if overtaking proves challenging during the race.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen makes ‘BS’ claim as Lando Norris delivers lap of the GodsLando Norris achieved an impressive pole position at the Madring for the Spanish Grand Prix, narrowly beating Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. This performance came as a surprise, as Antonelli was considered the frontrunner for the pole before qualifying began. The Ferrari drivers, despite their strong expectations, ended up in fourth and fifth places, while George Russell rounded out the top six.
Max Verstappen criticized the new Madring circuit, labeling a claim about the lack of overtaking space as 'BS.' His comments reflect ongoing discussions about the circuit's design and its impact on racing dynamics. The qualifying session showcased the competitive nature of the field, with Norris's standout lap highlighting his potential in the championship.Sat 12 Sep · 19:30 UTC
via Sky Sports F1'No idea what to expect’ – F1 braced for Madring debut race mysteryThe inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit is set to take place with Lando Norris starting from pole position. The race features a grid that includes Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton, all of whom are facing uncertainties regarding tyre degradation and overtaking opportunities on the new track.
Drivers have reported significant challenges with tyre management, particularly due to high degradation observed during practice sessions. As the race approaches, the leading competitors are strategizing on how to handle the potential for chaotic racing conditions, with the outcome likely hinging on tyre performance and the ability to overtake.
Sat 12 Sep · 17:47 UTC
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell explains Madring qualifying strugglesGeorge Russell qualified sixth for the Spanish Grand Prix, falling short of expectations. He attributed his performance to issues encountered during the Q3 session, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli secured second place.
+ 1 moreSat 12 Sep · 16:31 UTCvia RacingNews365George Russell recounts 'annoying' moment which wrecked Spanish GP qualifyingGeorge Russell experienced a frustrating qualifying session for the Spanish Grand Prix, where he initially placed third but ultimately finished sixth. His performance was hindered by a mistake at Turn 11, which caused him to lose valuable time on his final lap, allowing Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc to surpass him in the standings.
Russell's teammate, Kimi Antonelli, is currently leading the drivers' championship, with a significant gap of 66 points over Russell. The Spanish GP marks a historic return to Madrid for Formula 1, as it has not been held in the capital since 1981.Sat 12 Sep · 16:02 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA launches double Mercedes investigation at Spanish Grand PrixThe FIA has initiated investigations into Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli following the qualifying session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. Russell faces scrutiny for not adhering to the race director's instructions when rejoining the track, while Antonelli is being examined for possibly driving too slowly during the session. Russell's provisional grid position is P6, and Antonelli will start from second place.
The investigations come at a critical time for both drivers, especially for Russell, whose championship hopes could be impacted. Antonelli's performance has been notable, having recently moved significantly ahead in the points standings. The outcome of these investigations may influence the dynamics of the race and the championship battle.
Sat 12 Sep · 15:45 UTC
via RaceFansStewards summon Antonelli, Russell and Leclerc over qualifying breaches | Formula 1The stewards have summoned three drivers, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc, for potential breaches of qualifying regulations. Russell is being investigated for not adhering to the proper procedure on an escape road, while both Antonelli and Leclerc are under scrutiny for driving too slowly between Safety Car lines during Q3.
Additionally, Carlos Sainz Jnr has been summoned for potentially impeding Valtteri Bottas. Other drivers noted for similar infractions were cleared, indicating a focused investigation on the actions of the summoned drivers.
Sat 12 Sep · 15:29 UTC
via f1oversteer.comGeorge Russell just told Max Verstappen why he’s so wrong about Liam LawsonGeorge Russell has just proven why Max Verstappen was so wrong to point out Liam Lawson’s cameo at Red Bull as proof that F1’s 2026 ...Sat 12 Sep · 13:30 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 UTCPage 8 of 24
