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via gpfans.comLando Norris expresses frustration after Spanish Grand PrixLando Norris voiced his disappointment following a challenging race at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he felt a virtual safety car impacted his chances of victory. The driver also engaged in a tense exchange with a journalist regarding the race's events.
+ 1 moreMon 14 Sep · 08:43 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 RaceFansLando Norris defends McLaren's pit strategy in SpainLando Norris has expressed confidence in McLaren's decision to pit him during the Virtual Safety Car period at the Spanish Grand Prix. However, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer criticized the move, suggesting it ultimately contributed to Norris's defeat.
+ 1 moreMon 14 Sep · 07:16 UTC
via f1oversteer.comNico Rosberg says one Oscar Piastri issue exposed ‘pretty shocking’ reality of the MadringThe Madring made its debut as the host of the Spanish Grand Prix, facing significant criticism for its design and lack of overtaking opportunities. Nico Rosberg highlighted the challenges drivers faced, particularly Oscar Piastri, who was unable to overtake Franco Colapinto despite being on fresher tires, illustrating the track's limitations.
During the race, Fernando Alonso narrowly avoided a collision with Carlos Sainz, emphasizing the circuit's dangers. Piastri's race was compromised early on due to front wing damage, and he expressed frustration over the lack of overtaking options and the timing of the Virtual Safety Car, which hindered his strategy.
Mon 14 Sep · 06:30 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 Motorsport.comWho slept best last night: Lando NorrisLando Norris faced a disappointing outcome at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he lost what seemed to be a certain victory due to a virtual safety car triggered by Lance Stroll's car. Norris had a comfortable lead of six seconds over Kimi Antonelli but was unable to capitalize on a pit stop opportunity when the safety car was deployed, ultimately leading to his loss of position and the race win.
Despite the setback, Norris remained optimistic and acknowledged his team's performance, expressing confidence in his ability to continue delivering strong results. He reflected on the nature of racing luck, noting that he too had benefited from fortunate circumstances in the past, and emphasized his growth as a driver since his first win in Miami.
Mon 14 Sep · 05:16 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 UTCReliability now Antonelli’s main rival – WolffToto Wolff highlighted that reliability issues may pose the biggest challenge to Kimi Antonelli's pursuit of the 2026 world championship after he secured a victory in Madrid, extending his lead to 81 points. Despite acknowledging that Lando Norris was the faster driver during the race, Antonelli remains focused on maintaining his performance without adopting a defensive strategy.
Wolff emphasized the importance of addressing mechanical reliability, as the team has experienced fragility in their car and engine this season. While competitors like George Russell and Lando Norris recognize Antonelli's dominance, Ralf Schumacher cautioned against complacency, noting that unforeseen issues could still arise, especially with a car update planned for the next race.
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 RacingNews365Oscar Piastri admits to exceeding track limitsDuring the Spanish Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri received a black-and-white flag from the FIA for exceeding track limits. The McLaren driver admitted he had gone too far with his maneuver, finishing the race in eighth place.Sun 13 Sep · 21:00 UTC
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 f1chronicle.comHow Lando Norris Produced a Madring Pole Lap His Own Boss Called Nearly UnrepeatableLando Norris achieved pole position for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring, narrowly beating Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. This victory marks Norris's 19th career pole and his third of the 2026 season. Despite facing challenges throughout the weekend, including a gearbox issue that limited his practice time, Norris delivered an impressive lap that team principal Andrea Stella praised as nearly unrepeatable, especially considering the time lost at the final corner due to tire wear.
The qualifying session was marked by a mix of excitement and disappointment, with notable drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finishing fourth and fifth, respectively. The session also saw home favorites Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso eliminated early, adding to the drama of the event. As the drivers' championship remains competitive, Norris's performance highlights his ability to convert pole positions into race victories, continuing a successful trend this season.
via racer.comMadring’s first Spanish GP was more smoke than fire, but can a few tweaks light it up?The inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring Circuit was marked by a lack of overtaking, leading to criticism from drivers and teams. Despite some moments of excitement, such as Liam Lawson's overtaking maneuver, the overall racing action was minimal, particularly after the opening lap. Lando Norris, who lost his lead due to a poorly timed Virtual Safety Car, highlighted the need for track changes to enhance overtaking opportunities, while Kimi Antonelli echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for revisions to certain corners.
Drivers and team principals expressed a willingness to collaborate with race organizers on potential modifications for the future. Mercedes' Toto Wolff noted the circuit's challenging nature and the importance of creating a layout that allows for more competitive racing. The feedback from the drivers has been well-received, and there is optimism that adjustments can be made to improve the racing experience at Madring for the next event.
via gpfans.comGuenther Steiner criticises Lando Norris's behaviourGuenther Steiner has expressed disapproval of Lando Norris's actions in the cooldown room following the Spanish Grand Prix. Norris, who finished third in the race, reportedly reacted strongly to an F1 official, stating he would act as he pleased.+ 1 moreSun 13 Sep · 18:55 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 the-race.comLando Norris criticises virtual safety car rulesLando Norris has called for changes to Formula 1's virtual safety car rules, describing them as 'unfair' after losing the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix to Kimi Antonelli. Norris believes the current regulations negatively impacted his chances of victory.
+ 1 moreSun 13 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via Formula1.comStella outlines the logic behind Norris’ ‘unlucky’ stopLando Norris' performance in the Spanish Grand Prix was significantly impacted by the timing of a Virtual Safety Car, which led to a late pit stop that ultimately resulted in a third-place finish. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella explained that the decision to pit was made because staying out would have meant using worn tyres, which would have forced Norris to pit later behind competitors who had already switched to fresher hard tyres.
Despite the disappointment of not winning, Stella expressed optimism about the team's progress throughout the season, highlighting Norris' strong pace and competitive performance. He noted that the timing of the Virtual Safety Car was unfortunate but emphasized that the team remains positive about their future prospects in the championship.Sun 13 Sep · 17:58 UTC
via racer.com‘Today we didn’t deserve to win,’ Antonelli admits after lucking out in MadridKimi Antonelli secured victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, but he expressed that he did not feel deserving of the win due to the circumstances surrounding the race. The deployment of a Virtual Safety Car after Lance Stroll's car stopped allowed Antonelli to pit while Norris, who was leading, missed the chance to do so, resulting in a significant disadvantage for him.
Antonelli reflected on his performance, admitting he was too aggressive at the start and acknowledged that he could have finished in a lower position. Despite extending his lead in the championship standings to 81 points, he emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and continuing to deliver strong results as the season progresses.
via Motorsport.comThe step-by-step story of how Lando Norris' Spanish GP miss played out under the VSCDuring the Spanish Grand Prix, Lando Norris was leading the race when Lance Stroll's car stopped, leading to a yellow flag. Norris, who had a significant lead, did not pit preemptively, and the virtual safety car was called just moments after he passed the pit entry. This timing meant that Norris missed the opportunity for a cheap pit stop, while Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen took advantage of the VSC to switch tires and gain positions.
As a result of the VSC, Norris had to pit after it ended, which cost him his lead in the race. Antonelli and Verstappen emerged from their pit stops in better positions, ultimately allowing Antonelli to secure victory, while Norris's strategy backfired, leading to a missed opportunity for a win.Sun 13 Sep · 17:47 UTCPage 12 of 39
