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via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer saw Liam Lawson do ‘mighty’ thing Max Verstappen is always praised for at the MadringLiam Lawson has stepped in for the injured Isack Hadjar at the Spanish Grand Prix, impressing pundit Jolyon Palmer with his quick adaptation to the new Madring circuit during the first practice session. Palmer noted that Lawson appeared to be at home in the Red Bull RB22, showcasing competitive lap times early on.
Max Verstappen, who also participated in FP1, acknowledged the immediate competitiveness of both Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda in their temporary roles. Despite Verstappen finishing the session ahead of Lawson, the latter's performance marked a significant improvement from his previous outing at Monza, where he faced several challenges.
Fri 11 Sep · 20:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen warns Madring circuit 'probably a car killer'Max Verstappen has expressed concerns about the new Madring circuit, labeling it as 'probably a car killer' based on its challenging layout. This assessment echoes comments made by Williams team principal James Vowles, who highlighted issues observed during F3 testing. Despite these concerns, the first practice session for F1 went smoothly, although F2 experienced multiple crashes during qualifying.
Verstappen elaborated on the difficulties of the track, drawing parallels to the Jeddah circuit, particularly regarding the close positioning of walls. He also pointed out that the angled braking zones could complicate overtaking maneuvers, making it a tough challenge for drivers throughout the race weekend.
Fri 11 Sep · 19:58 UTC
via Formula1.comLeclerc anticipates exciting qualifying at MadringCharles Leclerc is looking forward to an exciting qualifying session for the Spanish Grand Prix. After experiencing the Madring for the first time, he expressed optimism about Ferrari's performance.
+ 1 moreFri 11 Sep · 19:03 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen pinpoints two critical factors for Red Bull improvementMax Verstappen had a mixed performance during the first day of the Spanish Grand Prix, finishing fifth in FP1 and sixth in FP2. He highlighted the need for Red Bull to improve their one-lap pace and understanding of tyre performance for long runs, as he struggled with the car's balance throughout the sessions.
Despite some frustrations with the car's handling, Verstappen remained optimistic about making adjustments ahead of qualifying. He noted that a clean FP3 session would be beneficial for their performance, as the team aims to enhance their competitiveness on the new Madrid circuit.
Fri 11 Sep · 18:30 UTC
via espn.comAntonelli quickest in FP2 in Madrid, Russell fifthIn the second practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time, outperforming Charles Leclerc by 0.113 seconds. Lewis Hamilton followed closely in third place, while Arvid Lindblad had a significant crash, marking the first major incident at the newly debuted Madring circuit in Madrid.
George Russell, who had topped the first practice session, finished fifth overall. The session was marked by concerns over the circuit's safety, with drivers expressing fears about its high-speed corners and concrete walls. Russell acknowledged the risks involved and noted that he needed luck to challenge Antonelli for the championship, as Antonelli currently leads with seven wins.
Fri 11 Sep · 18:05 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya sees the one area Lando Norris ‘always’ outclasses Oscar PiastriJuan Pablo Montoya feels Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri face the same issue because of their teammates, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris. ...Fri 11 Sep · 18:00 UTC
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen insider pokes fun at Lewis Hamilton after Spanish GP incidentsDuring the Spanish Grand Prix practice sessions, Lewis Hamilton faced criticism from several drivers for being involved in multiple traffic incidents. Dani Juncadella, a teammate of Max Verstappen, humorously remarked on social media that Hamilton's presence in the way during practice is as certain as death and taxes, highlighting the frustrations of other drivers like Carlos Sainz and Arvid Lindblad.
The practice sessions at the new Madring track were largely clean, except for one red flag incident caused by Lindblad crashing. Despite the overall smoothness of the sessions, Hamilton's actions drew ire from his competitors, with Sainz and Lindblad both voicing their concerns about safety and the dangers posed by Hamilton's positioning on the track.
Fri 11 Sep · 17:40 UTC
via F1iVerstappen holds firm on Madring: “I’ll always prefer Spa”Max Verstappen shared his thoughts on the newly constructed Madring after the opening practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix. While he acknowledged the quality of the venue's construction, he reiterated his long-standing preference for traditional circuits like Spa over street circuits, stating that this sentiment would not change. Despite his mixed feelings, he noted that the venue had been well-built but lacked the excitement he finds in more conventional tracks.
In terms of performance, Verstappen finished sixth in the practice sessions, trailing the fastest time by 0.401 seconds. The day was relatively uneventful, with only one red flag caused by a rookie's crash. Verstappen indicated that the Red Bull team needed to improve their car's balance and speed to be competitive, as the Madring presented unique challenges that the entire field was still trying to navigate.
Fri 11 Sep · 17:37 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli strikes back in FP2 as Madring claims its first victimKimi Antonelli responded to George Russell's performance in FP1 by achieving the fastest time in FP2 at the Spanish Grand Prix, outperforming notable competitors like Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The session was marked by a red flag caused by Arvid Lindblad's crash, which halted the proceedings with just over 20 minutes left, while Lando Norris faced a gearbox failure that prevented him from participating further.
Fernando Alonso had a delayed start due to clutch issues from FP1 but managed to complete the session, finishing in 17th place. The session saw competitive times among the top teams, with Antonelli's performance indicating a strong showing from Mercedes as they prepare for the upcoming race.Fri 11 Sep · 16:03 UTC
via grandprix.comCadillac pays twice for Perez pit-lane speedingDuring the opening practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madrid circuit, Cadillac faced financial penalties due to Sergio Perez exceeding the pit-lane speed limit on two occasions. The first infraction saw Perez clock in at 53.9 mph, resulting in a fine of approximately $810, while the second infraction, where he reached 60.1 mph, incurred a fine of about $1,160. This brought Cadillac's total fines to around $1,970, marking a challenging start for the team at the new venue.
The penalties were issued under Article B1.6.3a.i of the FIA Formula 1 regulations and were classified as team fines, meaning they did not affect Perez's sporting penalties for the weekend. Despite the financial setbacks, Perez's performance in the session was subpar, finishing 21st and only ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas. The incident highlights the challenges teams face with pit-lane management, especially at a circuit with a long pit lane like Madring.
via Sky Sports F1Russell tops first practice in Madrid as Hamilton frustrates other driversIn the first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, George Russell achieved the fastest time, leading a Mercedes one-two with teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell's time was 1:34.077, while Antonelli was 0.286 seconds slower. Charles Leclerc managed to secure third place despite recovering from a recent crash, while Lewis Hamilton faced criticism for blocking other drivers during the session.
The tight confines of the Madring circuit led to traffic issues, with Hamilton being called out by several drivers, including Arvid Lindblad and Carlos Sainz, for impeding their flying laps. Despite these challenges, all 22 drivers completed the session without major incidents, indicating a competitive weekend ahead with Mercedes and Ferrari expected to contend for the top positions.
Fri 11 Sep · 15:04 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc’s instant radio message on Lewis Hamilton moment at Madring proves Ferrari’s changeDuring Free Practice One at the inaugural Madring, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton secured third and fourth places, respectively, while George Russell led the session. Following a challenging performance at Monza, Ferrari showed signs of improvement as both drivers managed to avoid conflicts on track, which was a relief for team principal Fred Vasseur.
Leclerc demonstrated a notable change in behavior by calmly addressing a near-miss with Hamilton over the radio, suggesting a more diplomatic approach within the team. This incident has raised questions about whether this newfound professionalism will persist as the competition intensifies during the race weekend.Fri 11 Sep · 13:30 UTC
via BBC SportGeorge Russell Comments on Madrid Street Circuit's ChallengesDuring the first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, George Russell noted that the new Madrid street circuit presents a tighter margin for error compared to Monaco. His observations came as he set the fastest time on the track.
Fri 11 Sep · 12:46 UTC
via CrashAndrea Kimi Antonelli tops final practice in MadridAndrea Kimi Antonelli recorded the fastest time in the final practice session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. He finished 0.166 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, while George Russell placed further down the order.
+ 3 moreFri 11 Sep · 12:40 UTC
via Motorsport WeekGeorge Russell leads in first practice at Spanish GPGeorge Russell achieved a strong performance by finishing in the top five during both FP1 and FP2 at the Spanish Grand Prix. The session allowed drivers to familiarize themselves with the complexities of the Madring circuit.
+ 1 moreFri 11 Sep · 12:38 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell draws first blood in Madrid as drivers frustrated by traffic chaosGeorge Russell achieved the fastest time in the opening practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit, finishing with a time of 1:34.077. His teammate Kimi Antonelli followed closely in second place, as both Mercedes drivers showcased a strong start to the weekend.
Despite concerns about potential red flags due to the circuit's challenges, the session proceeded without major interruptions, aside from a brief yellow flag. Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton secured third and fourth positions, while Max Verstappen and Lando Norris rounded out the top six, highlighting the competitive nature of the session amidst traffic issues faced by several drivers.Fri 11 Sep · 12:37 UTC
via f1oversteer.comGeorge Russell hints at Mercedes changes after FP1George Russell achieved the fastest time in the first free practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix. The performance indicates a positive start for Mercedes, although potential changes may be needed on Russell's side of the garage.+ 1 moreFri 11 Sep · 12:34 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMadring designer pinpoints the corner he expects Max Verstappen to show his ‘nerves of steel’Jarno Zaffelli, the designer of the Madring circuit, has highlighted Turns 5 and 6 as a critical area where Max Verstappen is expected to showcase his skill. The circuit, which will host the Spanish Grand Prix for the next decade, has already posed challenges for drivers, as indicated by Carlos Sainz's comments on the difficulties faced during simulator testing.
Additionally, Turn 12, referred to as La Monumental, has gained attention due to its steep gradient and significant compression forces. Zaffelli mentioned that initial plans for a steeper banking at this corner were abandoned due to safety concerns from the FIA and Formula 1 regarding the capabilities of current cars.Fri 11 Sep · 11:00 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell comes to 'crazy' realisation after 19 red flags in Madring testGeorge Russell reacted to the 19 red flags observed during the FIA F3 test at the Madring circuit, expressing that he expected more incidents based on his simulator experience. He highlighted the challenging nature of the track, which features tight walls and high-speed corners, making it a risky environment for drivers.
Russell drew comparisons between Madring and other circuits like Jeddah and Baku, emphasizing the difficulty of overtaking and the potential for accidents. He conveyed excitement about the upcoming challenges that the new circuit will present to drivers.Fri 11 Sep · 09:50 UTC
via f1oversteer.comSergio Perez shares what he ‘tried to do’ that likely cost George Russell the Italian Grand Prix winSergio Perez revealed that a sudden battery issue contributed to George Russell's missed opportunity to win the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. Russell, who was favored to win, was affected by Perez's slowdown during a virtual safety car, costing him valuable time as Antonelli, starting from P19, overtook him to secure victory.
Russell's loss at Monza has significant implications for the championship standings, as he now sits 66 points behind Antonelli. Despite the setback, Russell acknowledged his teammate's superior performance this season and expressed a realistic outlook on his chances for the title, emphasizing the need for luck in the remaining races.Fri 11 Sep · 09:00 UTCPage 14 of 44
