Daily News 19

Tag: Madrid circuit

  • Esteban Ocon and Haas Find Positives Despite ‘Disappointed’ Madrid Result

    Esteban Ocon and Haas Find Positives Despite ‘Disappointed’ Madrid Result

    Esteban Ocon expressed disappointment after narrowly missing out on championship points with an 11th-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his closest brush with a top-ten result since the Monaco round. Despite the frustration, the Haas F1 Team extracted significant encouragement from the weekend, with their latest aerodynamic upgrade package demonstrating genuine performance gains at the Madrid circuit.

    Upgrade Package Delivers on Promise

    The American squad had endured a difficult mid-season slump following their last major update in Canada, which failed to deliver the expected step forward. A strong start to the campaign dissolved into repeated Q1 eliminations and battles with Williams and Aston Martin. However, the team introduced updates to Ollie Bearman’s car in Zandvoort, with Ocon receiving the aero package at Monza. While the Italian circuit’s characteristics masked some of the gains, the improvements were fully visible at the Madring layout.

    Ocon: Strong Start Undone by Pit Stop

    Qualifying 13th—his best single-lap performance since Japan—Ocon placed himself directly in the fight with the two Audi entries. He executed a brilliant opening lap, passing both Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto to run inside the top ten early on.

    “We are all disappointed, I think we could have got much more, we deserved to be in the points today,” Ocon said after the race. “The plan was to get both Audis at the start and we managed to do so, we got both of them off the line and between Turn 1 and 2. I got Gabi [Bortoleto] first off the launch and then Nico [Hülkenberg] around Turn 2. So, that was very good.

    “We knew it would be hard to hold them off. But we were in front until the stop, at the stop we lost the position. We need to see what I could have done better, if I could have stopped a little bit better position or what happened as I think it was a decent stop so they must have done a really, really good one.

    “But we gave it our all out there. I am proud of everyone, because we come from a long [run] where we were out in Q1, below P15. Now we are fighting for points, so it is pretty positive and encouraging for the rest of the races.”

    Hülkenberg subsequently reclaimed the position during the pit-stop phase under the Virtual Safety Car, ultimately finishing tenth to score a point for Audi. The German manufacturer now trails Haas by just four points in the Constructors’ Championship.

    Progress Confirmed Despite Points Loss

    Ocon remained upbeat regarding the team’s trajectory, emphasizing the correlation between the new parts and improved consistency.

    “Since we got the update obviously, we are seeing when the car is healthy and we don’t have the inconsistency we can perform to a decent level and this is what we need to keep doing,” he added.

    Komatsu: Disappointment Signals Raised Expectations

    Team principal Ayao Komatsu echoed his driver’s sentiment, noting that the collective frustration over an 11th-place finish underscores how far the squad has come since the summer break.

    “The car was functioning very well, the drivers drove well, trackside and remote operations were really good, I think we did our best today. We lost out on the pit stop against Audi, but I don’t believe it was our team’s fault, it’s really the equipment that we need to improve to give them a better chance,” he explained.

    “I’m honestly very happy, it was a huge team effort all around, and the car’s consistency was there, no issues as we’ve had previously.”

    Bearman Finds Pace in Difficult Weekend

    Ollie Bearman also drew positives from a challenging weekend. After a heavy crash in FP3 forced him to start from the pit lane and take new power unit components, the rookie finished 16th but showed competitive lap times when running in clear air.

    “The car was strong, whenever I had clean air, I was right on pace with our competition. It was just unfortunately very rare that I had that, I was stuck in traffic,” he added.

    “I’m positive again, we needed a clean day after what happened yesterday. In that sense we have had that so we can turn the page, learn as much as we can from yesterday, but turn the page, reset and come back stronger in Baku.”

    With the upgrade package validated and both drivers reporting improved balance and consistency, Haas heads to Azerbaijan aiming to convert their renewed form into tangible points and defend their slender Constructors’ Championship advantage over Audi.

  • Liam Lawson assesses Red Bull outings: ‘Overall it’s been a strong three weekends’

    Liam Lawson assesses Red Bull outings: ‘Overall it’s been a strong three weekends’

    Liam Lawson Reflects on Strong Red Bull Return After Spanish Grand Prix Points Finish

    Liam Lawson believes “overall it’s been a strong three weekends” with Red Bull since replacing the injured Isack Hadjar midway through the 2025 Formula 1 season. The New Zealander made his third start for the senior team at last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, securing his best result since swapping his Racing Bulls machinery by finishing sixth.

    Overtaking Challenge Defines Madrid Debut

    Lawson was one of the few drivers to execute an overtake on the Madring street circuit, before a late pit stop secured his second points finish with Red Bull—following a seventh-place result in the Netherlands. Speaking to F1 TV about the challenges of Formula 1’s newest venue, Lawson said:

    “Hard to overtake is really the biggest thing. We started on the hard [tyre] as well and with the Virtual Safety Car, it didn’t really help us,”

    He elaborated on a key moment during the race:

    “Made quite a risky pass on Franco [Colapinto] earlier on and felt like it was going to be really important for our race but then the VSC came out and they boxed anyway, so it didn’t really make a difference.

    Was quite fun to do but this track is very difficult to pull it off [an overtake]. I didn’t nearly make the corner and you do track limits you have to give the place back. Tough race.”

    Contrast with Early Season Struggles

    Lawson’s current performances with Red Bull stand in stark contrast to the start of the 2025 season, where he competed in just two races before being demoted back to Racing Bulls. Prior to his temporary move back to the senior team, Lawson had scored points in eight out of 11 races this season—form that earned him another call-up.

    Although Hadjar was present in the Madrid paddock over the weekend, the Frenchman’s return from a wrist injury sustained over the summer break remains unknown, with Baku the next race in two weeks.

    Lawson Proud of Maximising Opportunities

    When asked if he was proud of his performances with Red Bull so far, Lawson responded:

    “I think so,”

    He expanded on his approach:

    “I’ve just tried to maximise each weekend. Honestly, a lot of things coming into it were just driver specific that I knew were going to be challenging about this car, and just really tried to prepare as much as I could but it’s been a very busy few weeks to be honest.

    Probably this coming week will be busy as well to be honest, I’ll probably be doing prep for both cars again. It’s just been a busy time trying to put everything together, but it’s been good.

    I would have loved to have scored in Monza as well, but I think overall it’s been a strong three weekends.”

  • Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies Explains Why Max Verstappen Was Ordered to Return Positions in Madrid

    Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies Explains Why Max Verstappen Was Ordered to Return Positions in Madrid

    Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has defended the team’s decision to order Max Verstappen to surrender positions during the opening lap of the Spanish Grand Prix, a move that ultimately paved the way for a strong recovery drive to second place at the Madring circuit.

    First-Lap Clash Triggers Team Order

    The incident occurred immediately after lights out in Madrid. Verstappen, starting third, tangled with Lewis Hamilton as the Ferrari driver moved ahead into Turn 1. Verstappen maintained his grid slot only by cutting the corner, prompting an immediate investigation from race control.

    Over team radio, Verstappen protested that Hamilton “almost shunted him” and initially resisted instructions to concede the position. The Dutch driver had since passed Kimi Antonelli for second place, raising the stakes of a potential time penalty.

    Strategic Compliance Avoids Heavier Penalty

    Verstappen eventually complied, allowing both Antonelli and Hamilton to repass. The strategy shifted rapidly when Hamilton suffered a brake failure and retired shortly after. A subsequent Virtual Safety Car period played into Red Bull’s hands during their pit stop cycle, enabling Verstappen to finish runner-up to race winner Antonelli.

    Mekies: “Better to Take the Pain at That Moment”

    Speaking to F1 TV after the Grand Prix, Mekies acknowledged the decision was unpopular in the cockpit but necessary for the broader race outcome.

    “We would have simply been penalized either five seconds or ten seconds at their discretion,” he told F1 TV. “So that’s what would have happened. And of course, if you can imagine race scenarios with a Safety Car or other circumstances, it can cost you a lot more than a position or two.”

    Mekies emphasized that the team anticipated Verstappen’s frustration but backed his ability to recover.

    “Luckily Max gave away the position before Lewis retired and ultimately continued to fight the race from that point,” he continued. “Of course it is frustrating but, in fairness, I think P2 was the absolute best we could have achieved today.”

    Verstappen Accepts “Nature of the Track”

    For his part, Verstappen characterized the opening skirmish as a product of the new Madrid layout. After the enforced position swaps, he focused solely on maximizing his race pace, a mindset that delivered a damage-limitation podium.

    Championship Standings Update

    The result leaves Verstappen sixth in the Drivers’ Championship with 145 points. Teammate Liam Lawson scored sixth place on his return to the seat, lifting Red Bull to fourth in the Constructors’ standings ahead of the next round in Baku.

  • Spanish GP Promises Madrid Circuit Changes After F1 Criticism

    Spanish GP Promises Madrid Circuit Changes After F1 Criticism

    Organisers of the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s new Madring circuit are preparing layout modifications for the 2027 event to address a lack of overtaking opportunities that defined the venue’s inaugural weekend. The 5.4km track, constructed around the IFEMA fairgrounds, earned praise for its facilities and qualifying challenge but produced limited on-track action across F1, F2, and F3 races.

    Overtaking Issues Dominate Post-Race Analysis

    The primary passing zone was intended to be the Turn 5 chicane at the end of the circuit’s longest straight. However, the corner’s geometry—requiring combined braking and steering—allowed leading cars to defend easily. Drivers raised these concerns during Friday night’s briefing, highlighting multiple corners where simultaneous braking and turning neutralized overtaking potential. The circuit’s lengthy pitlane was also criticised for discouraging alternative pitstop strategies.

    Organisers Commit to Changes for 2027

    Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com after Sunday’s race, event managing director Luis Garcia Abad confirmed his team is ready to implement necessary modifications. He revealed that the FIA has already provided specific recommendations for the 2027 layout.

    “Being honest with you, the FIA defined clearly which is the way to improve the track layout, and we will be open because we will have to reinstall the track for the next year,”

    Abad told Motorsport.com.

    “I really believe that the drivers enjoyed qualifying a lot. But for sure we will try to make an improvement for next year.”

    The Madrid race is the first year of a 10-year contract. With the northern half of the circuit built on previously empty land, Abad emphasised the physical capacity for significant revisions.

    “We have the space, we have a venue, we have the facilities, we have the capacity to do it,”

    he promised.

    “I’m sure that FOM, FIA, and ourselves, we will try. If we can improve something, we will do it.”

    Norris Proposes Specific Layout Revisions

    World champion Lando Norris offered detailed suggestions after the race, advocating for a high-speed straight linking Turn 17 to Turn 20 to create a heavy braking zone similar to corners at Circuit of the Americas.

    “To me, it’s not a great racetrack. It’s great in qualifying, but a straight line from Turn 17 straight to Turn 20 [would help], to have a much wider entry like Austin Turn 1 or Turn 10, a big hairpin. You’ll create much better opportunities for everyone and you’ll be able to enjoy the race.”

    Norris also identified the Turn 5-6-7 complex as a key area requiring attention.

    “There are some simple changes and maybe some trickier ones, like Turn 5, 6, 7. It’s hard to know exactly what is the best thing. The fact you have to turn and brake [at the same time] basically defeats the whole object of racing.”

  • “I almost fell asleep” – F1 drivers push for Madrid track changes after “very poor” Spanish GP

    “I almost fell asleep” – F1 drivers push for Madrid track changes after “very poor” Spanish GP

    Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix Exposes Overtaking Flaws at New Madrid Circuit

    The inaugural Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit delivered exactly the processional race many drivers predicted. Despite a spectacular qualifying layout, Sunday’s race offered virtually no overtaking opportunities, leaving the paddock united in criticism of the track’s racing dynamics.

    Drivers and Media Alike Struggle to Stay Engaged

    The lack of on-track action was so pronounced that journalists in the media centre reportedly nearly fell asleep during the event. Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto confirmed the sentiment from inside the cockpit: “I almost fell asleep as well!”

    Even race winner Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship, admitted he enjoyed qualifying but not the Grand Prix itself. The Mercedes driver explained the core issue: “It definitely doesn’t create overtaking opportunities and it doesn’t push you to try and make a move, because 80% of the time you might have contact.”

    Antonelli cited a specific incident with Lando Norris at the second chicane: “I think especially in the second chicane, if I would have turned in there, me and Lando would have touched and probably gone into the wall and blocked the road. It definitely wouldn’t have been nice.” He concluded: “So, I think there are some corners that need to be changed to create more overtaking opportunities, because right now, yes, it’s nice over one lap, but for sure in the race you’re just stuck behind.”

    Layout Criticized Before Lights Out

    The fundamental design flaws were apparent to drivers long before the race. Max Verstappen stated on Saturday he could not see a single passing opportunity, telling Dutch media: “Just give me the track map” to indicate the extensive changes he would make.

    Drivers noted they were not consulted during the design phase, a contrast to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit where feedback was sought only after the first year proved dangerous. Haas rookie Oliver Bearman, who crashed heavily in final practice and missed qualifying, was blunt in his assessment: “You only have to look at the layout, and it’s quite clear that it’s going to be a poor track for racing.”

    Bearman added: “I mean, when you arrive and you see that layout, you’re like, what do you expect us to do? It’s a bit of a shame.” He identified two compounding factors: “Not only do you have a lot of long combined exits where it’s really tough to put power down, but you have a lot of combined entries as well. It’s very easy to drive a bit dangerously defending your position and, therefore, very hard to send an overtake.”

    The British driver confirmed the grid had already raised concerns: “We already said that to the FIA on Friday and we need to look into a way to make the track a bit more interesting for us, because it’s interesting to drive for sure, but in the race it’s very poor.”

    Junior Categories Confirm Fears

    Williams driver Alex Albon pointed to support races as early validation: “I hope there’s open-mindedness to make some track changes for next year. I mean, if the F3 cars can’t overtake, then you know there’s going to be no overtaking the whole weekend.”

    Albon believes the fixes are manageable: “I think there only needs to be a couple of changes to fix the problem. Otherwise, honestly, it’s not a bad track. It’s quite a fun track to drive, just like you saw in the races, it’s pretty boring.”

    Three Key Areas Targeted for 2027 Modifications

    Turns 3 to 5 Complex Requires Redesign

    Albon identified the sequence from Turn 3 to Turn 5 as the primary trouble spot: “A lot of it is around Turn 3 to Turn 5. I think that whole area needs to be redone, maybe straighter braking zones. We need to remove that chicane. It’s good for spectacle, but it’s not good for racing.”

    He also questioned the effectiveness of the banked Turn 13: “And I think the banking, as great as it is, it’s not really doing a good enough job in Turn 13. Turn 13 maybe needs to be a slower corner, a bigger braking zone.”

    Bortoleto highlighted a physical toll from the Turn 5 jump: “Just the jump in T5, to do that 50 laps, you get quite a lot of headache at the end of the race. So, it’s not the easiest one for our body.”

    Final Sector “Useless” Corners Need Simplification

    Lando Norris targeted the circuit’s final sector for streamlining: “I think there are some obvious changes they should make. They should get rid of Turn 18, 19, useless. Just have more of a straight into a hairpin. I don’t know how someone looks at this design and goes, ‘Mint.’ Yeah, I think there’s a lot of opportunity.”

    The McLaren driver referenced Circuit of the Americas as a positive template: “To me, it’s not a great racetrack. It’s great in qualifying, but, you know, a straight line from 17 straight to 20 [would help], to have a much wider entry like Austin Turn 1 or Turn 10, a big hairpin. You’ll create much better opportunities for everyone and you’ll be able to enjoy the race.”

    Norris acknowledged the complexity of the Turn 5-6-7 section: “There are some simple changes and maybe some trickier ones, like Turn 5, 6, 7. It’s hard to know exactly what is the best thing. The fact you have to turn and brake basically defeats the whole object of racing. So, they can do some simple changes, I think, easy changes and maybe some trickier changes, but I hope they do it because then it should be more exciting for everyone.”

    Shorter Pit Lane Proposed for Strategic Variety

    Beyond corner geometry, drivers are advocating for a shortened pit lane to encourage additional pit stops and create strategic alternatives, potentially manufacturing race excitement that the layout currently fails to produce naturally.

    With the Spanish Grand Prix locked in at the IFEMA complex through 2026 before a potential move, the unanimous driver verdict places pressure on organizers and the FIA to implement meaningful layout revisions before the 2027 season.

  • Max Verstappen Outlines Spanish GP Focus After Qualifying P3

    Max Verstappen Outlines Spanish GP Focus After Qualifying P3

    Verstappen Positive After Qualifying Third for Spanish Grand Prix

    Max Verstappen has outlined the key areas Red Bull will target during Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix, expressing satisfaction after securing third place in qualifying at the Madring circuit.

    The four-time world champion had finished no higher than fifth across all three practice sessions, admitting on Friday that he and the team were still getting up to speed with each lap. However, Verstappen turned the form around on Saturday, topping Q2 before claiming P3 in Q3 behind polesitter Lando Norris and championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

    Room for Improvement in Final Sector

    Asked whether the result exceeded expectations, Verstappen replied:

    “Yeah, the car was honestly in a quite decent window, and for us I think to be in the top three in Qualifying is good. We can be happy with that.

    “I think still there’s room for improvement – there can be some improvements made, especially in the final sector.

    “That’s where we really were struggling probably a little bit too much with our deployment strategy. So that’s things to learn for in the future, but for us to be in the top three is good.”

    Tyre Management Critical for Race Debut at Madring

    Looking ahead to the first Formula 1 race at the Madrid venue, Verstappen emphasised that tyre management will be pivotal.

    “[It could be] a long race, tough on tyres, so we’ll be really about managing that and trying to really extract the most out of it and see what we can do,”

    the 28-year-old said.

  • Norris claims scintillating pole for Spanish GP

    Norris claims scintillating pole for Spanish GP

    Live Coverage: 2026 Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying in Madrid

    Follow live coverage of Saturday’s Formula 1 Qualifying session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. This session sets the grid for the main race at the Madrid circuit.

    Session Overview

    The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix qualifying session takes place on Saturday at the Madrid venue. Drivers will compete across the standard three-part knockout format to determine pole position for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

    Key Details

    • Event: 2026 Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying
    • Location: Madrid, Spain
    • Day: Saturday
    • Series: Formula 1 World Championship

    Stay tuned for real-time updates, sector times, and grid analysis as the teams prepare for the Spanish round of the 2026 season.

  • Practice Debrief: Can Mercedes Maintain Edge Over Rivals at Madring Ahead of Spanish Grand Prix?

    Practice Debrief: Can Mercedes Maintain Edge Over Rivals at Madring Ahead of Spanish Grand Prix?

    Kimi Antonelli Leads Friday Practice in Madrid as Red Flags Disrupt Running

    Championship leader Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive form by topping the timesheets after Friday practice at the Madrid circuit. However, a red flag interruption limited track time for all drivers, and with minimal long-run data collected on the brand-new venue, the competitive picture remains wide open heading into the weekend.

    Antonelli Looks Comfortable on Debut Madrid Layout

    The Mercedes junior driver, who stormed from 19th to victory at the previous round in Italy, appeared the more settled of the two Mercedes-powered entries. Antonelli quickly found a strong rhythm on the soft compound during Free Practice 2, suggesting immediate adaptability to the unfamiliar layout.

    Track Evolution Adds Uncertainty for Saturday

    Whether Antonelli can maintain his advantage is far from guaranteed. The circuit is evolving rapidly, with grip levels expected to increase significantly as more rubber is laid down across the remaining sessions. This dynamic surface could shuffle the order considerably.

    Mercedes Overnight Development Strength Bodes Well

    Despite the unknowns, Antonelli holds the strongest starting position. Historically, both the driver and Mercedes have demonstrated an ability to make meaningful performance gains overnight. With top spot secured on Friday, the championship leader enters Saturday in excellent shape to extend his title advantage.

  • 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.

  • 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.