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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.
Sun 13 Sep · 20:21 UTC
via RacingNews365Hamilton Discusses Ferrari Retirement During Spanish Grand PrixLewis Hamilton experienced his first retirement of the 2026 season during the Spanish Grand Prix. Max Verstappen found humor in Hamilton's explanation regarding the circumstances of the Ferrari retirement.
Sun 13 Sep · 20:00 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 racer.comFerrari mulls what might have been as Hamilton concedes title hopes are overIn the recent Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that his chances for the championship are over after losing 25 points to Kimi Antonelli, who secured his second consecutive victory and eighth of the season. Hamilton faced early retirement due to brake issues, while his teammate Charles Leclerc managed to finish fourth despite the challenges faced during the race.
Leclerc expressed satisfaction with the car's performance but highlighted concerns regarding Ferrari's qualifying pace, which affects their ability to compete effectively in races. He noted that while the car showed strong pace on hard tires, starting further back on the grid complicates their race strategy.
Sun 13 Sep · 17:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMartin Brundle says time is up for one Formula 1 driver he absolutely lovesMartin Brundle has expressed that Aston Martin should consider a complete overhaul of their driver lineup, suggesting that Fernando Alonso should be let go as the team looks to rebuild. Despite Alonso being the only driver to score points for Aston Martin this season, the team is struggling at the bottom of the standings, and Brundle believes it's time for a fresh start with younger drivers.
Brundle acknowledges Alonso's contributions to F1 but questions the wisdom of extending his contract given his age and the team's current performance. Alonso's future in the sport seems uncertain, as he has voiced concerns about upcoming regulations, and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has indicated he will try to persuade Alonso to remain in F1.
Sun 13 Sep · 16:56 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 Motorsport WeekEx-F1 star urges Spain to ‘not fall asleep’ on producing the next Fernando AlonsoPedro de la Rosa, a former F1 driver, has called for increased investment in young Spanish drivers to ensure the continuation of success in Formula 1, following the legacies of Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz. He emphasized the importance of nurturing new talent to maintain Spain's presence in the sport, especially with the recent addition of the Madring circuit hosting its second Grand Prix.
De la Rosa praised the rapid development of the Madring circuit and highlighted the need for Spanish companies to support emerging drivers. He noted that while Spain currently has notable drivers, the lack of investment could hinder the country's chances of producing future champions. De la Rosa's comments serve as a reminder for Spain to capitalize on its current F1 successes and actively foster the next generation of racing talent.
Sun 13 Sep · 12:00 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 gpfans.comLewis Hamilton in Ferrari engine change at F1 Spanish Grand Prix - Ted KravitzLewis Hamilton has opted to change his engine at the F1 Spanish Grand Prix, reverting from the new ADUO2 power unit to the previous specification. This decision aligns him with his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who had already made a similar switch to avoid a grid penalty. Hamilton had initially planned to use the new engine but changed course after Friday's practice sessions.
This engine change does not incur a grid penalty for Hamilton, as he is still within the allowed number of engine components for the season. Both drivers are now on equal footing regarding engine performance, which could impact their competitiveness during the race.
Sun 13 Sep · 10:30 UTC
via CrashTwist in Madrid Ferrari power deficit between Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeclercDuring the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were initially set to use different power units, with Leclerc on the older ADUO 1 due to a crash in the previous race. However, Hamilton reverted to the same ADUO 1 unit before Saturday's qualifying, eliminating any power deficit between the two drivers.
Hamilton qualified fourth, narrowly beating Leclerc by just 0.006 seconds. Leclerc expressed concerns that using the older engine affected his performance, particularly in the first sector of the track. Ferrari is still assessing the condition of Leclerc's ADUO 2 power unit for future use.Sun 13 Sep · 09:33 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 RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton explains loss of pole at Spanish Grand PrixLewis Hamilton acknowledged that a mistake on his part cost him the opportunity to secure pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix. After initially leading in the qualifying session, he ultimately finished fourth.+ 1 moreSun 13 Sep · 06:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFernando Alonso thinks Aston Martin’s press officer could be ‘faster’ than Max Verstappen at MadringFernando Alonso has voiced his discontent with the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, suggesting that they diminish the role of driver skill in racing. He made a comparison between Aston Martin's press officer and Max Verstappen, claiming that the press officer could potentially outperform Verstappen due to the current car dynamics and battery power management.
Alonso's performance at the Spanish Grand Prix was disappointing, as he qualified in P18, significantly behind the pole position time. He emphasized that the new regulations have made it so that driver bravery and skill are less impactful, particularly at challenging corners like La Monumental, which he believes should allow skilled drivers to stand out.Sun 13 Sep · 06:00 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 gpfans.comFernando Alonso criticises Ferrari's filming day choiceFernando Alonso has expressed his disapproval of Ferrari's choice to conduct a filming day at the Madring ahead of the inaugural F1 race at the new venue. His comments highlight the competitive dynamics as teams prepare for the upcoming event.Sat 12 Sep · 20:56 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 RacingNews365Max Verstappen makes ‘BS’ claim as Lando Norris delivers lap of the GodsLando Norris achieved an impressive pole position at the Madring for the Spanish Grand Prix, narrowly beating Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. This performance came as a surprise, as Antonelli was considered the frontrunner for the pole before qualifying began. The Ferrari drivers, despite their strong expectations, ended up in fourth and fifth places, while George Russell rounded out the top six.
Max Verstappen criticized the new Madring circuit, labeling a claim about the lack of overtaking space as 'BS.' His comments reflect ongoing discussions about the circuit's design and its impact on racing dynamics. The qualifying session showcased the competitive nature of the field, with Norris's standout lap highlighting his potential in the championship.Sat 12 Sep · 19:30 UTC
via gpfans.comFerrari and Lewis Hamilton face nightmare scenario again at Spanish Grand PrixThe upcoming Spanish Grand Prix poses a challenging situation for both Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton, as they face the possibility of another clash on the track. Following a controversial incident at the Italian Grand Prix where Hamilton and Leclerc collided, both drivers will start close to each other again, raising concerns about their ability to race without conflict.
Ferrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, has opted not to enforce a driver conduct code, which has led to scrutiny regarding team dynamics. With Hamilton and Leclerc both vying for the top position within the team, the pressure is on as they approach the first corner of the race, potentially risking another incident that could derail their season.Sat 12 Sep · 19:30 UTCPage 29 of 76