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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
via PlanetF1Kimi Antonelli avoided ‘unbelievable’ Ferrari pressure by joining MercedesKimi Antonelli achieved a remarkable victory at the Italian Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone as the first Italian winner of the event since 1966. Starting from 19th on the grid, he showcased his skill by racing to first place, further solidifying his lead in the drivers' standings with a substantial 66-point advantage over his teammate, George Russell.
Karun Chandhok emphasized that Antonelli's decision to join Mercedes instead of Ferrari has alleviated immense pressure on him, allowing him to thrive in his early Formula 1 career. Chandhok believes this strategic choice by Antonelli's father has been pivotal in shaping his son's success, suggesting that the absence of Ferrari's intense scrutiny has been beneficial for Antonelli's development as a driver.
via f1chronicle.comPierre Gasly Says Monza Pole Brings New Belief and Motivation to Alpine Ahead of MadridPierre Gasly says his maiden pole position at Monza has given Alpine new belief and motivation heading into Madrid The Frenchman says the result ended…
via Sky Sports F1Russell: I have an answer to Antonelli's paceGeorge Russell has expressed confidence in his ability to improve his performance against his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the Drivers' Championship by 66 points. Despite suffering a setback at the Italian Grand Prix, where Antonelli won after starting from 19th, Russell believes he has made progress in matching Antonelli's pace and is focused on winning races as the season continues.
As the Spanish Grand Prix approaches, Russell acknowledges that luck will be essential for him to close the gap in the championship standings. Meanwhile, Antonelli remains focused on winning races rather than the championship, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a competitive mindset without being distracted by the title race.
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell's telling admission after Monza F1 defeat to Kimi AntonelliGeorge Russell has admitted that his chances of winning the 2026 Formula 1 world title are slim as he trails his teammate Kimi Antonelli by 66 points with only 10 races remaining. Despite being the pre-season favorite, Russell has struggled to adapt his smoother driving style to the new regulations, while Antonelli has excelled with an aggressive approach, highlighted by his recent victory at Monza after starting from 19th.
Russell has shown signs of improvement, having outqualified Antonelli in the last three sessions, but he recognizes that he still needs to enhance his race pace. Both drivers are focused on their performance rather than the championship standings, with Antonelli emphasizing the importance of maintaining a winning mindset without being distracted by the title race.
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff shares his ‘conclusion’ after watching Ferrari fans react to Kimi Antonelli’s Monza winAndrea Kimi Antonelli made history by winning the 2026 F1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, becoming the first Italian to achieve this feat since 1966. Starting from P19 due to a penalty, Antonelli's remarkable performance not only secured him the victory but also solidified his position at the top of the standings, leading his teammate George Russell by 66 points after 13 races. His seven wins this season have further established him as a formidable competitor in the championship.
Toto Wolff observed the enthusiastic reaction of Ferrari fans during the celebration of Antonelli's win, concluding that Italian fans do not need to choose between supporting Ferrari and Antonelli. He emphasized that Antonelli's success is a source of pride for Italy, offering fans a unique opportunity to celebrate both a national driver and the iconic Ferrari team. Antonelli's achievements have reignited hopes of an Italian F1 champion, a title that has not been held since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
via gpfans.comF1 has an 'AI agent' driver and he's about to become the youngest world champion everToto Wolff has compared 20-year-old championship leader Kimi Antonelli to an AI agent as he continues to grow as a driver.Page 11 of 35













