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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.comKimi Antonelli’s 2026 safety car record completely disproves Toto Wolff’s ‘unlucky’ claimKimi Antonelli secured his eighth victory of the 2026 season at the Spanish Grand Prix, benefiting from a virtual safety car that altered the race dynamics. Initially trailing Lando Norris, Antonelli capitalized on Norris's decision to stay out during the VSC, allowing him to take the lead after Charles Leclerc's late pit stop.
Toto Wolff's assertion that Antonelli had been 'unlucky' with safety cars throughout the season is contradicted by Antonelli's favorable outcomes from several VSCs. Despite a few instances where he faced challenges, such as losing the lead in Spa, Antonelli's overall performance has been bolstered by strategic pit stops during safety car periods.
Mon 14 Sep · 06:00 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 Formula1.com5 betting lessons after Antonelli wins the Spanish GPKimi Antonelli secured a victory at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, showcasing his talent and the capabilities of the Mercedes team. This win is seen as a pivotal moment in the season, contributing to the team's competitive standing in Formula 1.
The race also served as a learning opportunity for bettors, offering valuable lessons on how to approach future betting strategies based on the outcomes and performances observed during the event. Antonelli's success has set a high bar for his upcoming races.
Sun 13 Sep · 21:38 UTC
via gpfans.comMercedes F1 boss Toto Wolf blasts 'bulls*** couch warriors' on Kimi Antonelli conspiracyToto Wolff, the Mercedes F1 team principal, has publicly condemned fans who suggested that the team favored Kimi Antonelli during the Italian Grand Prix. He defended the team's strategic decisions, explaining that Antonelli's choice of starting on hard tyres was part of a calculated plan, which was altered by a red flag incident that affected both drivers' strategies.
Despite some criticism from Russell's fans regarding the pit stop strategy, Wolff maintained that the decisions made were correct. Russell himself recognized Antonelli's impressive drive and the role of the virtual safety car in the race, indicating that the outcome could have been different without it.
Sun 13 Sep · 20:57 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./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 Crash'Racing gods were with us' - Toto Wolff concedes fortunate Madrid F1 winKimi Antonelli claimed victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, benefiting from a timely virtual safety car that allowed him to close the gap on race leader Lando Norris. The VSC was deployed to recover Lance Stroll's car, which had become stranded, and it significantly altered the race dynamics, enabling Antonelli to pit while Norris lost crucial time. This win marks Antonelli's eighth career victory and extends his championship lead to 81 points.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed his appreciation for the team's strategy and Antonelli's driving under pressure. He noted that the timing of the virtual safety car was fortunate for them, contrasting it with previous races where they faced bad luck. Despite the pressure, Antonelli has maintained a cool demeanor, which Wolff believes is key to his success as the season progresses.
Sun 13 Sep · 16:10 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 UTC
via Motorsport WeekPierre Gasly stumped by sudden pace loss after Q2 exit in MadridPierre Gasly experienced a surprising decline in performance during the qualifying session for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, resulting in his elimination in Q2 and a 14th place starting position. He was perplexed by the drastic change in the car's behavior compared to earlier in the weekend, indicating that he felt comfortable with the car's balance prior to qualifying.
Gasly plans to work with his team to investigate the issues that led to the loss of grip and performance. He expressed skepticism about his chances in the upcoming race, suggesting that he might need to take risks to improve his situation. Despite the overall improvement in track conditions, he remains uncertain about the car's competitiveness in the high-speed sections of the circuit.
Sun 13 Sep · 09:00 UTC
via 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 UTC
via f1technical.netMercedes admit they completed "nearly four months without introducing a major update"Mercedes' trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin revealed that the team's lack of a significant upgrade for nearly four months contributed to their struggles in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite this, Kimi Antonelli came close to securing pole position, finishing just 0.011 seconds behind Lando Norris of McLaren. George Russell faced challenges with understeer and tyre temperatures, ultimately qualifying sixth. The team had not anticipated being competitive for pole but adjusted their expectations based on strong practice performances.
Looking ahead to the race, Mercedes is aware that overtaking will be challenging, and they will need to rely on effective tyre management and strategy to secure strong results. Shovlin noted that the high tyre degradation observed during practice could provide opportunities for creative strategies. Both drivers expressed optimism about their chances to improve during the race, despite the difficulties posed by the circuit layout.Sun 13 Sep · 01:00 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 f1technical.netAlpine reflect on their contrasting fortunes in Madrid after Monza pole shockAlpine faced contrasting results in the qualifying session for the Spanish Grand Prix, with Franco Colapinto achieving a commendable ninth place while Pierre Gasly struggled to secure fourteenth. Colapinto's performance was a notable turnaround from his teammate's recent pole position at Monza, showcasing his ability to handle pressure and adapt to the new Madring circuit. Gasly, on the other hand, encountered grip issues and crashed during Q2, which hindered his chances of a top-ten start.
Despite the mixed outcomes, both drivers and Alpine's management expressed optimism for the race. Colapinto acknowledged the challenges of overtaking at the new track and emphasized the importance of executing their strategy effectively. Gasly, while disappointed with his qualifying result, pointed to promising long-run performance in practice as a reason for hope. The team is focused on understanding the discrepancies in performance and aims to maximize their chances for points in the upcoming race.Sat 12 Sep · 22:00 UTC
via gpfans.comMercedes F1 boss reveals Spanish GP tyre concern: 'Our strategy chief said six stops'Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff expressed surprise at the high levels of tyre degradation observed during the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit. Despite expectations of minimal wear due to the new asphalt, the team faced challenges with tyre temperatures and wear, leading to a significant degradation rate of eight tenths per lap.
Wolff revealed that the team's chief strategist had proposed the possibility of six pit stops during the race, although he later revised this prediction to one stop. This race comes after a successful weekend for Mercedes at Monza, where they achieved a one-two finish, with Kimi Antonelli leading the drivers' championship.Sat 12 Sep · 20:15 UTC
via espn.comKimi Antonelli Anticipates Cautious Start at Madring Grand PrixKimi Antonelli is preparing for a cautious approach during the early laps of the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at Madring. The young Mercedes driver noted that the unfamiliarity of the track may lead to a conservative driving style initially.
+ 1 moreSat 12 Sep · 19:07 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris hailed for "sensational" Spanish GP pole after FP2 setback: "Found his beast mode"Lando Norris achieved a surprising pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, receiving significant praise from fans for his performance. He narrowly edged out championship leader Kimi Antonelli by a mere 0.011 seconds, with Max Verstappen in third place. Norris's accomplishment was particularly impressive given that he missed most of the second free practice session due to a gearbox problem, which affected his preparation for qualifying.
Fans expressed their admiration for Norris's lap, describing it as 'sensational' and noting that he seems to have found a new level of confidence this season. The upcoming race is set to take place on September 13, highlighting the excitement surrounding Norris's recent form and the competitive nature of the event.Sat 12 Sep · 18:23 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA confirms Kimi Antonelli's Spanish GP penaltyKimi Antonelli won the Spanish Grand Prix, but his victory has sparked controversy among fans regarding track limits. The FIA has confirmed its decision following an investigation into the race.
+ 1 moreSat 12 Sep · 17:53 UTCPage 10 of 35
