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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 UTC
via 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 UTC
via Motorsport.comF1 Spanish GP at Madring: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watchThe Spanish Grand Prix at Madring will feature Lando Norris starting from pole position after a close qualifying session, where he narrowly edged out championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Max Verstappen will begin the race in third place, while George Russell qualified sixth, indicating a competitive field for the event.
The weather forecast for the race day predicts hot and dry conditions, with temperatures reaching around 32°C. This will pose challenges for teams regarding tire management and vehicle cooling as they adapt to the new circuit layout, which combines public roads with high-speed sections.Sat 12 Sep · 17:49 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 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 CrashMax Verstappen details Red Bull’s true F1 engine reality after FIA ADUO verdictMax Verstappen has expressed concerns regarding the performance of Red Bull's F1 power unit compared to Mercedes, particularly after the Italian Grand Prix where he finished third. He noted a significant discrepancy in engine efficiency, stating that Red Bull struggles with energy deployment relative to Mercedes, which he likened to feeling like a 'turtle' during the race.
Verstappen's comments followed the FIA's announcement that Red Bull had the best engine according to the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) rankings. He emphasized that the FIA's assessment only considers the internal combustion engine and not the battery performance, suggesting that Red Bull may excel in one area while lagging in another. Ongoing discussions with the FIA aim to clarify these performance metrics.
Sat 12 Sep · 09:07 UTC
via Motorsport WeekHamilton urges Ferrari to close gap to MercedesLewis Hamilton acknowledged the need for Ferrari to improve its performance to catch up with Mercedes and McLaren. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc expressed optimism about Ferrari's advancements despite recognizing that they remain behind their competitors.
+ 1 moreSat 12 Sep · 08:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Madring reveals staggering difference between Mercedes, Ferrari and the restDuring the initial free practice sessions at the Madring track, Mercedes and Ferrari demonstrated a significant performance advantage over other teams, showcasing their ability to achieve optimal car balance. This allowed both teams to refine their setups effectively, with the W17 and SF-26 proving to be versatile across different circuit types.
The performance characteristics of the two cars differ, with Mercedes leading in powertrain efficiency and Ferrari showing superior vehicle dynamics. As the sessions progressed, the time gap between the two teams decreased, highlighting their competitive edge, while tyre performance emerged as a crucial factor in maintaining pace under challenging track conditions.Sat 12 Sep · 07:50 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 UTC
via Motorsport.comGuenther Steiner backs Kimi Antonelli for Ferrari seatGuenther Steiner, the former Haas Formula 1 team principal, stated that Kimi Antonelli should be in a Ferrari after his remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix. David Coulthard also praised Antonelli's performance, describing his rise from 19th on the grid to first as a career-defining moment.Fri 11 Sep · 21:24 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 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 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.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 UTCPage 11 of 35
