Daily News 19

Tag: Formula 1

  • Charles Leclerc: Madrid Qualifying Set to Be “One of the Most Challenging” in F1 2026

    Charles Leclerc: Madrid Qualifying Set to Be “One of the Most Challenging” in F1 2026

    Leclerc Predicts Madrid Qualifying Will Be Among 2026’s Toughest Tests

    Charles Leclerc expects qualifying at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix to rank as “one of the most challenging qualifying sessions of the year” as Formula 1 tackles the brand-new Madring street circuit for the first time. The Madrid venue has replaced Barcelona as the host of the Spanish Grand Prix and presents a high-commitment layout featuring 22 corners, including the 13.5-degree banked La Monumental curve.

    Drivers Divided on Overtaking Prospects

    While several drivers have spoken positively about the track after Friday practice, the paddock is bracing for a high-stakes Saturday session. George Russell labeled the circuit a “very high risk circuit,” and Leclerc echoed the sentiment that track position will be paramount.

    “The track is very exciting. It’s very exciting, it’s very challenging, and it’s a street track as well. So these are the tracks that I normally quite enjoy, and there’s no exception to that. It was really nice to be driving on this new track. There’s still a lot of work to be done, and I expect it to be one of the most challenging qualifying sessions of the year, being such a commitment track.”

    The Ferrari driver emphasized that Saturday’s session will dictate the weekend’s outcome, citing the extreme difficulty of passing even with a significant pace advantage.

    “Qualifying is for sure going to be the key moment of the weekend, because particularly in FP2, I tried to overtake, but even with the large pace delta, it was extremely difficult or impossible to overtake. So most of the performance this weekend will be based on the qualifying.”

    Mercedes Sets Early Pace

    Leclerc finished third in FP1 and second in FP2, trailing Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli by 0.459s and 0.113s respectively. Despite the deficit, the Monegasque remained measured about the early running.

    “The feeling was pretty good, but it’s true that Mercedes seems to be strong. However, we don’t really focus on what P1 says today [Friday], because we don’t know what the others are doing with their run plan for us. It was all about trying to maximise laps on the new track, to try and make sure that we have as many data as we want, and for us to be also at ease with the track coming tomorrow in qualifying. But I think we did a good work today, and we’ll see tomorrow in qualifying.”

    With Madrid’s tight confines and combined brake-and-turn corners amplifying the importance of grid position, all eyes turn to a qualifying session that could well decide the victor before Sunday’s race even begins.

  • Max Verstappen Reveals Laid-Back Approach to 100-Driver Silverstone Challenge

    Max Verstappen Reveals Laid-Back Approach to 100-Driver Silverstone Challenge

    Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has revealed he has done absolutely no preparation for his upcoming 30-lap go-kart challenge against 100 competitors at Silverstone next week. The Red Bull Racing driver will start from the back of the grid and attempt to overtake every participant on the historic circuit.

    Verstappen: “I’ll Just Rock Up and Do My Thing”

    Speaking to media ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, the Dutchman displayed his trademark relaxed confidence when questioned about the unique event. The field includes athletes, streamers, content creators, personalities, and fans.

    “No, I didn’t do anything,” he explained when asked if he has looked up who his competitors would be. “I’ll just rock up and have a good time, to be honest. Let’s see how it goes. But yeah, it’s a lot of people.

    “Starting from the back, it’s going to be challenging, but I hope I can catch them all. But we don’t know yet. I don’t even know the format at the moment. So I will just rock up and do my thing.”

    F1 Rivals Weigh In on the Spectacle

    The challenge has drawn attention from Verstappen’s Formula 1 peers, who offered mixed assessments of his chances during their own press commitments.

    Leclerc Urges Caution for Both Sides

    Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, speaking in Italy, highlighted the potential risks involved with such a large field.

    “I mean, 100 is a lot,” the Monegasque driver explained in Italy. “Honestly, the only advice I’ll give is maybe not to crash into Max, because he’s got a season to finish, and for Max to be careful, because I don’t know how professional those drivers are.

    “But 100 drivers is quite a lot on a track, so I think it will be fun. But obviously, when you’re racing against one of the best drivers in the world, they’ll probably have a tough time.”

    Sainz Predicts Easy Victory Based on Personal Experience

    Williams driver Carlos Sainz provided a more mathematical prediction during the Madrid press conference, drawing on his own recent karting experience.

    “I did a karting race yesterday with my team. Started 20th because we did reverse grid and I was P1 in five laps. So by my calculations, if there are another 20 times five, in 20 laps Max will be P1 for sure. 15-20 laps, or who knows, depends how much overtaking there is. But he will win it easy.”

    The Silverstone event promises to be a unique spectacle, pitting one of motorsport’s greatest current talents against a massive, eclectic grid in identical machinery. With zero preparation and a relaxed mindset, Verstappen appears ready to embrace the chaos.

  • F1 Teams Detail Madring Circuit Learnings from First Day of Running Ahead of Spanish Grand Prix

    F1 Teams Detail Madring Circuit Learnings from First Day of Running Ahead of Spanish Grand Prix

    Formula 1 drivers and teams finally experienced the Madring circuit during Friday practice, and the new Madrid venue proved every bit as demanding as predicted. While simulations provided a baseline, the session revealed significant unknowns regarding car setup, power unit deployment, and, most critically, tyre management. Tyre graining emerged as the dominant talking point early in the first session.

    Drivers Praise Layout but Highlight Precision Required

    Overall driver feedback on the new circuit was positive, with many noting its unique blend of high-speed sections and tight, wall-lined corners.

    Pierre Gasly, who finished the day 11th, described the track as exhilarating: “I actually really loved it. It was very exciting. It’s a track with a lot of adrenaline. At all the corners you kind of see the walls coming at you very quickly, and you’ve got to be extremely precise in your lines, how much you commit to the corner. It definitely has this type of like adrenaline element, which you don’t always find, but usually find on a street track. So, pretty cool. A lot of high-speed, which is unusual for a street track, and it’s kind of a mix between like Jeddah and Monaco all combined together. Always exciting to find a new track, and definitely very exciting driving-wise. Now, hopefully, in the race, we can still find opportunities to overtake.”

    Oscar Piastri, seventh in FP2, emphasized the difficulty: “I would say honestly it’s more difficult than some tracks. There’s a lot of sections where you’re not really brushing up against the walls, you’re kind of turning or heading at them, and then you need to avoid them. So it makes things quite challenging. Definitely I think everyone is still getting up to speed. But when you get into a decent rhythm over one lap, it’s pretty enjoyable. In race running, it’s been a nightmare to try and manage the tyres with graining. So a lot of corners have been very difficult. It’s been an interesting day. I think we are struggling a little bit for pace. But yeah, hopefully we can find a bit more tomorrow.”

    Tyre Graining Forces Strategy Rethink

    Teams had anticipated graining on the fresh tarmac, but the severity in FP1 came as a shock, prompting immediate setup adjustments for the second session.

    George Russell explained the scale of the issue: “We thought it was a possibility. It’s often a possibility on new tarmacs. The grip is very high, but you’re sliding quite aggressively. With the deg we had in FP1, a six-stop race would have been the fastest way! FP2 was slightly better, and I’m sure the race on Sunday will be better again. But that’s the biggest question mark.”

    The tyre situation influenced run plans significantly. Most teams opted to save two sets of the C2 hard compound for the race, with only Audi utilizing them during Friday running, signalling that the hardest tyre will play a crucial strategic role on Sunday.

    Setup Compromises Define Friday Workload

    The circuit’s diverse corner profile — mixing high-speed sweeps with heavy braking zones and kerb-heavy chicanes — forced engineers to search for a delicate setup balance.

    Ferrari Strong Out of the Box, Eyes on Qualifying

    Ferrari appeared competitive from the outset of FP1, though Team Principal Fred Vasseur downplayed Friday pace in favour of qualifying readiness: “I think the good setup is the setup that will work in in quali, not in free practice. We know that we’ll have a huge track evolution even during the session. The most important is to anticipate the grip in Q3, and to be ready for Q3. It makes no sense to do the best in free practice, and not in quali. It’s a challenge that you have approximately all the types of corners of the season, and it’s a good exercise for the engineers. But at the end, it’s also difficult to estimate what will be the grip evolution between FP3 and quali, and even during quali. It means that energy deployment is complicated with the high-speed section, and I think what will be key is to estimate the pace in Q3.”

    Charles Leclerc ended FP2 in second place, underscoring the SF-24’s early promise.

    Red Bull and Audi Grapple with Ride and Energy Deployment

    Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson were less satisfied with their Friday progress. Technical Director Pierre Wache echoed the sentiment that Friday dissatisfaction is preferable if it leads to qualifying solutions: “I think it’s better to not be happy during Friday! And there’s a lot of work to do on car setup, for sure. Mechanical grip, I think the ride is more challenging than what we thought. It’s not as smooth. On energy deployment, it’s clear that we have a lot of work to do there also. And the tyres grained maybe as expected – I think in FP2 we were a little bit better than FP1, and I think we have to continue in this route.”

    Wache elaborated on the competing demands: “I think compromising between corner and deployment, some corners are full throttle, and putting some sliding on the tyres. That’s something we have to see. But yeah, it is a challenging one.”

    The kerb-riding requirement adds another layer of complexity. Audi Sporting Director Inaki Rueda highlighted the fundamental aerodynamic trade-off: “It very difficult. So the main set-up trade that we have here is between running low and stiff for aero, because you have lots of high-speed corners. And usually these cars, the more stiff and low you get the aero platform, the better it is. But you have the trade-off of jumping the kerbs, like jumping the kerb in Turn 2. It’s a lot of lap time. We cannot not jump it, and of course for that you want a higher car, and more of a rolling car. And so that is where the trade-off is, and the answer is going to be difficult.”

  • Mercedes Leads Long-Run Pace in F1 Spanish GP Practice

    Mercedes Leads Long-Run Pace in F1 Spanish GP Practice

    Mercedes Leads Long-Run Pace in Spanish GP Friday Practice

    George Russell set the benchmark during Friday’s practice sessions for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, posting the fastest long-run average with a heavy fuel load. Max Verstappen remained the closest challenger, trailing the Mercedes driver by just 0.13 seconds per lap after adjustments for tyre compounds and stint lengths. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli slotted in third, though he was 0.55 seconds per lap off Russell’s pace.

    Ferrari and McLaren struggled across the board in race simulations. Both Ferraris were approximately nine-tenths of a second per lap slower than Mercedes, while Oscar Piastri’s long run was 1.51 seconds per lap adrift. Lando Norris was unable to complete any long runs due to technical issues.

    Mercedes Sandbagging Pattern Raises Eyebrows

    The competition may be particularly concerned by a look back at last weekend in Italy. There, Mercedes was level with Ferrari in long runs on Friday, while McLaren was two-tenths of a second off the pace. On race Sunday, however, the Silver Arrows were ultimately eight-tenths per lap faster than both teams. Mercedes therefore traditionally appears to show less on Fridays than the competition, which could be a bad omen for the rest of the weekend. However, caution is also required, as the track in Madrid is new. Larger setup changes can therefore be expected for Saturday.

    The competition also appears closer over a single lap. If the fastest sector times of each driver are added together, Charles Leclerc could theoretically have set the fastest lap with a 1:33.478. Of the top six drivers, however, only Arvid Lindblad was able to combine all of his best sector times into a single lap.

    Sector Analysis Reveals Mercedes Battery Management Edge

    The question remains where Mercedes’ advantage comes from, particularly in the long runs. The answer appears to be clear: the competition is losing too much time in the final sector. Mercedes was already able to set the fastest time in the third sector during qualifying simulations, but with a lot of fuel on board, the team can apparently extend that advantage even further.

    Looking at the telemetry data, it is noticeable that Mercedes appears to use less battery power in the first sector, yet is still only marginally slower than the competition. In the final sector, however, Mercedes has a clear top-speed advantage, which appears to pay off particularly in the long-run mapping. While Mercedes excels in the final sector, Ferrari can score points in the first sector, while Max Verstappen and Red Bull are very strong in the fast second sector. McLaren is the only team that is consistently too slow across all three sectors.

    Ferrari appear to be off the pace of Mercedes. Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Midfield Shake-Up: Haas Emerges as Surprise Package

    Racing Bulls once again made headlines in the midfield on Friday – and for two reasons. Firstly, Arvid Lindblad finished fourth in the second practice session, just 0.228s off the pace. Shortly afterwards, however, he caused a heavy crash that resulted in a red flag. As a result, Racing Bulls was unable to complete any truly representative long runs. Team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was also running a different programme and completed his qualifying and race simulations in a single stint, probably with a low fuel load.

    That meant Haas actually recorded the best long-run pace in the midfield. Esteban Ocon was just 0.92s per lap behind Mercedes’ Russell during his stint, putting the Frenchman practically on Ferrari’s level. Alpine (+1.60), Audi (+2.20), Williams (+2.58), Cadillac (+4.00) and Aston Martin (+4.33) followed behind, with some considerable gaps.

    Racing Bulls had a strong Friday
    Racing Bulls had a strong Friday. Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    However, caution is also required here given that this is the Madrid track’s debut. There is still plenty of potential for setup changes to alter the picture.

    Tyre Degradation Debate: “Six Stops” vs. One-Stop Predictions

    The performance of some teams was not the only surprise on Friday. The behaviour of the tyres was also unexpected. As a street circuit with what is essentially a smooth asphalt surface, high tyre degradation was not initially expected. However, that may now be changing.

    “At the beginning it was tricky because the track has so much grip, even though it is completely new asphalt,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff explained to Sky. “And interestingly, we have the opposite problem to what we expected. We can’t quite get the tyre up to temperature. It takes a lap and then it gets a little better. But of course, the tyre degradation is incredible, because of the grip.”

    When asked more specifically, Wolff spoke of “eight tenths of degradation per lap” in the first free practice session.

    “We’ve never seen that before,” said Wolff. “Our strategy chief said six stops. But I think in the end it will be one stop.”

    Toto Wolff warned about tyre degradation in Spain
    Toto Wolff warned about tyre degradation in Spain. Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Nevertheless, degradation in the second free practice session was also around three-tenths per lap during the long runs. At the moment, that points more towards a two-stop race than a one-stop strategy. However, more running should bring more grip to the track, which could reduce tyre degradation over the course of the weekend.

    Just how unclear the tyre situation still is can also be seen in a contrasting statement from Pirelli’s motorsport chief Dario Marrafuschi, also speaking to Sky:

    “The grip of the asphalt is really good, so we will most likely have less degradation than expected.”

    The further course of the weekend in Madrid will show who ultimately gets their prediction right.

  • David Croft hails Kimi Antonelli’s maturity as F1 title charge gathers pace

    David Croft hails Kimi Antonelli’s maturity as F1 title charge gathers pace

    Sky Sports Formula 1 lead commentator David Croft has backed Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli to become a younger world champion than Max Verstappen, citing the Italian’s rapid development and exceptional maturity.

    Historic Monza Victory Extends Championship Lead

    Antonelli delivered an incredible performance at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, driving from 19th on the grid to victory in front of his home crowd. The 20-year-old became the first home driver to win at Monza in 60 years, extending his championship lead over his team-mate George Russell to 66 points ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

    Croft Draws Parallels With Verstappen’s Early Career

    During an appearance on the Sky Sports F1 Show, Croft compared Antonelli’s current trajectory to that of Verstappen, who made his F1 debut at 17, won his first race at 18 and his first championship at 24.

    “12 months ago he was at Monza and was just coming out of a very difficult period where, from the podium in Canada, things had started to go wrong and he wasn’t happy,” Croft explained. “He was working really hard with Bono [Peter Bonnington] to try and put things right and then went on a really good run towards the end of the season.

    “It’s almost like he’s growing up with less experience than Max. Max had that experience with Toro Rosso for a season and then a couple of races before he went up to the Red Bull team.

    “He’s doing things earlier than Max. He’s going to be a younger world champion than Max was. He is a younger polesitter. He is a younger grand prix winner. He’s getting everything done very, very early indeed and showing a lot of maturity with it.

    Emotional Control Marks Generational Talent

    Croft emphasized that Antonelli’s emotional control distinguishes him as a generational talent, noting visible improvement in the youngster’s racecraft.

    “I’ve seen and heard signs on the track this year where he’s controlling his emotions. He’s calming down. He’s keeping a lid on things that might have got the better of him 12 months ago.

    “That is why people are saying this man is a generational talent because it’s one thing to have an ability, it’s another to have that controlled ability and to start being very mature at an age where I think all three of us can agree we certainly wouldn’t have been capable of doing anything near what Kimi Antonelli is doing.”

    Record-Breaking Season Underway

    Antonelli took the lead of the standings after back-to-back wins in the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix. He went on to secure four more victories before the summer break and his win in Italy was his seventh F1 win.

    For context, Sebastian Vettel became the youngest F1 champion in history, claiming his first title in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 134 days.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
  • F1 Spanish GP FP2: Kimi Antonelli Tops Tricky Session as Arvid Lindblad Crashes

    F1 Spanish GP FP2: Kimi Antonelli Tops Tricky Session as Arvid Lindblad Crashes

    Kimi Antonelli Leads FP2 at Spanish Grand Prix as Mercedes Shines in Madrid

    Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli topped the second practice session for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix on Friday, edging out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at the challenging new Madring circuit in Madrid. The championship leader set the benchmark early and improved steadily as track conditions evolved, ultimately posting a 1m33.662s on soft tyres to lead the timesheets.

    Tricky Madrid Layout Tests Drivers from the Outset

    The 5.4-kilometre hybrid layout — combining street sections with a purpose-built high-speed loop — proved difficult to master from the opening session. With virtually no runoff areas, teams adopted a cautious approach in FP1, prioritising rhythm and muscle memory over outright pace. That conservatism carried into the early stages of FP2, though lap times began to tumble as grip levels improved.

    Antonelli set the initial pace on medium tyres with a 1m34.428s, only for Max Verstappen to briefly take over before the Mercedes driver responded with a 1m33.926s. Turn 17 emerged as a particular flashpoint, with multiple drivers running wide on exit and triggering track-limits violations.

    Soft-Tyre Runs Shuffle Order Before Red Flag Halts Action

    The session intensified at the halfway mark as most drivers switched to the soft compound, which proved demanding to keep in its optimal temperature window under sustained lateral loads. Antonelli again set the reference with his session-best 1m33.662s. Team-mate George Russell slotted in just a tenth behind, while Ferrari duo Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc followed in third and fourth.

    Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad delivered an eye-catching performance to sit fourth before his afternoon ended abruptly. The British rookie slid into the barriers at Turn 13, a medium-speed left-hander, bringing out the red flags with 25 minutes remaining. Lindblad escaped unharmed, but the TecPro barrier repairs consumed the remaining session time, freezing the order at the top.

    Norris Sidelined by Gearbox Issue; Home Heroes Struggle

    McLaren endured a difficult Friday. Reigning world champion Lando Norris completed just two laps before a transmission issue forced him into the garage for a gearbox change, leaving Oscar Piastri as the team’s sole representative in seventh. Meanwhile, local favourites Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso finished 16th and 17th respectively, with Alonso’s start delayed by a clutch problem on his Aston Martin.

    Spanish GP FP2 Classification – Top 10

    1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1m33.662s
    2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
    3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
    4. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
    5. George Russell (Mercedes)
    6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
    7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
    8. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
    9. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
    10. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

    Tsunoda, making his third appearance of the season while Isack Hadjar recovers from a wrist injury, impressed in eighth. Haas driver Esteban Ocon and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson rounded out the top 10.

    With the Madring circuit continuing to evolve and tyre management critical, Saturday’s final practice and qualifying sessions promise further shifts in the competitive order.

  • ‘He’s brought Formula 1 back home’ – Carlos Sainz becomes heart of Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid

    ‘He’s brought Formula 1 back home’ – Carlos Sainz becomes heart of Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid

    Formula 1 Returns to Madrid After Four Decades

    Formula 1 returns to Madrid for the first time in over four decades, with the Madring circuit hosting the Spanish Grand Prix. The weekend carries particular weight for Carlos Sainz, the Williams driver who calls the Spanish capital home and serves as an ambassador for the event. For the legions of fans who have followed his career, this is more than a race; it is a homecoming.

    Madrid is a vibrant capital renowned for its music, food, and art, yet for years it lacked the roar of a Formula 1 weekend. That void ends now. Sainz, born and raised in the city, grew up dreaming of exactly this scenario—a home race in the place where he first climbed into a kart at 10 years old.

    “When I think about Madrid, I think about my first karting races,” Sainz says. “That’s where it all started, where I started dreaming about being an F1 driver.
    “Now I get to race in my home town and be the ambassador of the Grand Prix – it’s a privilege, and it’s also a chance to open the door for people from all over the world to discover Madrid at the same time.”

    One of Our Own

    Sainz describes his central role this weekend as an honour, but for Madrid-born supporters, the connection stretches back to his arrival on the world stage. The sense of pride is rooted in the moment he announced himself as a rookie.

    “My first real memory of Carlos is his Formula 1 debut, back in 2015 at the Australian Grand Prix”, says Bea Quevedo. “He qualified eighth and finished ninth, in the points, on his very first outing, an incredible result for a rookie that nobody expected.
    “I remember how thrilling it was to have another Spanish driver on the grid, and not just any driver: someone with that level of raw talent. For those of us in Madrid, it wasn’t just ‘a Spaniard in F1’; it was one of our own, a kid from our city, mixing it with the best in the world.”

    Now, after 11 seasons at the pinnacle of motorsport, four victories, and 29 podium finishes, that feeling of ownership has not faded. If anything, it has deepened now that the sport has finally arrived on his doorstep.

    Madrid’s Own Countdown

    Long before lights out, Madrid demonstrated it was more than ready for the spectacle, embracing the Grand Prix atmosphere days before a single lap was turned. From the start of the week, fans tracked Sainz’s packed schedule, eager to share in the emotion. That passion was vividly illustrated on Tuesday when Plaza del Callao filled up hours before his arrival.

    For his dedicated fan community, Team Fifty5, the bond runs deeper than a single race weekend.

    “This week, from the moment I landed, the city was already buzzing,” Sainz says. “I went to Callao and there were people there since early morning – different stories, different ages, all gathering together. It was incredible.
    “Team Fifty5 has been with me through the good weekends and the bad ones, and seeing that kind of dedication and support in my own city gave me a boost I don’t take for granted.”

    For Quevedo, Sainz is not merely a competitor here; he is the reason the excitement feels so personal to the people of Madrid. That connection between the city and its driver gives the week its soul.

    Itziar Blazquez echoes that sentiment. “Sharing a passion with different people around the world is cool, but sharing the exact same love for the same driver creates a real bond,” she says.
    Additionally, being part of the Fifty5 community, “feels like getting a step closer to a big global family that backs him no matter what.”

    A Home Race, Literally

    For most drivers, a “home race” implies a supportive grandstand and a familiar setting—Monaco, for instance, is special because many reside there minutes from the track. For Sainz, Madrid means something far more literal.

    “Madrid is my home and I’ve always been very proud of the city and my country,” he says. “I get to spend the weekend with my family and sleep at my parents’ house to then go racing – that doesn’t happen anywhere else on the calendar.
    “And then on top of that, I get to do it in front of a Spanish crowd, in the city that watched me grow up. It’s going to be a very special weekend.”

    Carlos Sainz’s Legacy in Madrid

    Regardless of the result on Sunday, fans in Madrid have already settled on what this weekend—and the journey leading to it—signifies. Having lived her entire life in the capital, Blazquez can attest to what Sainz represents for the city.

    “He’s the heart of motorsport in the capital of Spain, he’s become a role model,” she says. To her, Sainz is someone who “represents Madrid spirit at its best: his relentless hard work, resilience, and class.”
    Her message to him is simple: “You carried Madrid to the top step of the podium, to the world stage, and now you’ve brought Formula 1 back home. So, thanks.”

  • Mercedes Targets Madring Gains as Every Team Reveals Upgrades

    Mercedes Targets Madring Gains as Every Team Reveals Upgrades

    A new circuit like the Madring presents teams with a steep learning curve, from identifying the optimal racing line to managing tyre degradation. Adding another layer of complexity, several constructors have introduced technical upgrades for the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of every update brought to the grid.

    Mercedes

    Mercedes has signaled that more significant upgrades will arrive later in the season. For the Madrid round, the team has focused on circuit-specific aerodynamic adjustments to balance load and drag. The updates include a reduction in the rear wing central winglet span and the addition of a new winglet positioned behind the exhaust. The front lip has also been reprofiled to improve flow attachment across all steering conditions, a change designed to benefit performance beyond this specific weekend.

    Ferrari

    The Scuderia has adopted a conservative approach, submitting only a single minor update. The team has adapted the rear suspension fairing profile with the specific aim of recovering a local load benefit.

    McLaren

    Targeting another substantial points haul, McLaren has introduced additional rear wing furniture. The components are designed to improve flow conditioning onto the rear wing mainplane and flap elements.

    Red Bull

    Building on development work from Monza, Red Bull’s primary focus for the Spanish Grand Prix is reliability. The team has altered the rear wheel bodywork assembly to restore the aerodynamic load levels seen in earlier races. A geometric change has also been made to the floor bib.

    Racing Bulls

    Currently holding the ‘best of the rest’ position in the Constructors’ Championship, Racing Bulls has not submitted any upgrades for the event in Madrid.

    Alpine

    Following a standout weekend in Italy where Pierre Gasly secured pole position, Alpine has optimized the forward floor board. The modification targets improved local pressure distribution and flow management.

    Haas

    After making numerous chassis adjustments and equipping Ollie Bearman with the latest Ferrari power unit at the previous round, Haas has elected not to bring further upgrades to Spain.

    Audi

    Despite a run of four consecutive points finishes ending in Italy, Audi has also decided against introducing updates for the Spanish Grand Prix.

    Williams

    Williams is reserving its major upgrade package for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Consequently, Alex Albon and home favourite Carlos Sainz will race the current specification in Madrid. However, the team will utilize Friday’s practice sessions to test components intended for next year’s car.

    Aston Martin

    With the team’s B-spec challenger having debuted only a few rounds ago in Hungary, Aston Martin is prioritizing the maximization of that package alongside the updated Honda power unit. No upgrades have been listed for the Spanish Grand Prix.

    Cadillac

    As the only team yet to score a point, Cadillac has introduced two aerodynamic modifications. The team has reintroduced an updated central trailing edge winglet on the rear wing flap to generate additional rear aerodynamic load and improve stability. Additionally, a vane has been added to the outboard diffuser sidewall, targeting further aerodynamic performance and increased load at the rear of the car.

  • Cadillac Fined Twice After Sergio Perez FP1 Infringements in Madrid

    Cadillac Fined Twice After Sergio Perez FP1 Infringements in Madrid

    The Cadillac Formula 1 team has received two fines after Sergio Perez was caught speeding in the pit lane during the first free practice session (FP1) at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.

    Perez Breaches Pit Lane Speed Limit Twice

    The Mexican driver exceeded the mandatory 80 km/h pit lane speed limit on two separate occasions during the opening session of the weekend. FIA stewards penalized the American outfit for breaching Article B1.6.3a.i of the FIA F1 regulations.

    • First offence: A fine of €700 after Perez was clocked at 86.7 km/h, exceeding the limit by 6.7 km/h.
    • Second offence: A heavier penalty of €1,000 after Perez was recorded travelling at 96.7 km/h, exceeding the limit by 16.7 km/h.

    Difficult Debut Season Continues for Cadillac

    The infractions come amid a challenging inaugural campaign for the Cadillac squad. As the team works to adapt to the championship, it has grappled with significant reliability issues. In the drivers’ standings, Perez currently sits 23rd while his team-mate Valtteri Bottas occupies 22nd place; both drivers have yet to score a point.

    Madrid Debut: The Madring Circuit

    The first practice session in Madrid also marked the first time Formula 1 drivers tackled the Madring circuit. Built around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre and the nearby Valdebebas district, the venue operates a semi-street circuit layout. The track features a mix of tight zones and high-speed straights, highlighted by a banked, sweeping curve named “La Monumental”.

    Perez: “A Proper Race Track”

    Speaking to the media ahead of the race weekend, Perez offered his initial impressions based on simulator work:

    “The track itself is a proper race track, from what I’ve seen,” Perez told the media ahead of the race weekend. “I haven’t been on the circuit yet, but from what I’ve seen on the simulator, it’s a proper track.
    “It’s a bit scary, I’ll say. It reminds me a bit of Jeddah. Good, proper track, really happy to be here, and I think the atmosphere here is going to be one of the best.”

    FP1 Results

    The 36-year-old concluded the session with the 21st fastest time, finishing only ahead of team-mate Bottas.

  • Aston Martin: Lance Stroll “Unbeatable” at Many F1 Tracks

    Aston Martin: Lance Stroll “Unbeatable” at Many F1 Tracks

    Pedro de la Rosa Praises Lance Stroll’s Raw Speed, Calls Him “As Quick” as Fernando Alonso

    Aston Martin Formula 1 ambassador Pedro de la Rosa has delivered a strong endorsement of Lance Stroll, stating the Canadian driver can match two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in outright pace when the car behaves predictably. Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, the former F1 driver highlighted Stroll’s underrated qualifying speed and racecraft, while acknowledging the machinery challenges that have masked his true level.

    Teammate Comparison Since 2023

    Stroll and Alonso have shared the Aston Martin garage since the start of the 2023 season. Over that span, Alonso holds a decisive statistical edge: he has outqualified Stroll 89 times to 15 and outscored him 335 points to 131. Even in the 2026 campaign, with Alonso now 45 and Stroll more experienced, the Spaniard remains roughly three tenths of a second faster per qualifying lap on average.

    Despite the numbers, de la Rosa—who analyses performance through a data-driven lens—argues the raw speed gap is far narrower than the results suggest.

    “Lance Is Super Fast” – De la Rosa’s Data-Driven Verdict

    “Lance is super fast,” the former F1 driver said. “You know, I love to watch data because I’m data-driven. And I like to see where one driver is faster than the other. And Lance, in many circuits, in many corners, is unbeatable.

    “It’s not like you can say Lance is fast in high-speed, Fernando in… They’re both very evenly matched.

    De la Rosa emphasized that Stroll’s strength spans every corner type, dismissing the notion that either driver holds a sector-specific advantage.

    “Lance is extremely quick in all types of corners. It’s just that sometimes he’s had some mistakes in qualifying or little things that then eventually if you don’t qualify up there, it just compromises the whole weekend. That’s where he’s missing, you know, it’s just sometimes putting everything together in quali.

    “But sometimes he gets it in quali and he outqualifies Fernando, which is like… I mean, we’re talking about Fernando Alonso, you know.

    “And in races, his race pace is impressive as well. He’s very good managing tyres.”

    The Critical Variable: Car Driveability

    De la Rosa was clear that Stroll’s ability to extract maximum performance is highly sensitive to the car’s characteristics. He described the current Aston Martin as “a very difficult car right now for many reasons, not only car, chassis, but also on the engine, we have to make improvements on driveability.”

    “I think Lance is a very underrated driver,” he continued. “When we improve the car and make it a bit more driver-friendly – I must say it’s a very difficult car right now for many reasons, not only car, chassis, but also on the engine, we have to make improvements on driveability – whenever the car is driving properly, he’s as quick as Fernando. There’s no question about that.”

    The ambassador’s assessment reframes Stroll’s deficit as a product of machinery limitations and qualifying consistency rather than a fundamental pace shortage. If Aston Martin delivers a more balanced, driveable package, de la Rosa believes the intra-team battle will be far closer than the standings indicate.