Daily News 19

Tag: Madring

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Ferrari “too late” to prioritise Lewis Hamilton in F1 title fight, says Jolyon Palmer

    Ferrari “too late” to prioritise Lewis Hamilton in F1 title fight, says Jolyon Palmer

    Former Formula 1 driver and current F1 TV pundit Jolyon Palmer asserts that Ferrari has missed its opportunity to prioritize Lewis Hamilton’s championship aspirations, arguing that the Scuderia has already seen its title hopes evaporate.

    Disastrous Home Race Precipitates Crisis

    The assessment arrives on the heels of a catastrophic Italian Grand Prix at Monza for the Fred Vasseur-led squad. Starting third and fourth respectively, Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc collided at Turn 1 on the opening lap. The incident set the tone for a weekend that saw Leclerc crash out on the second lap, effectively surrendering significant ground in a championship fight that was already tilting against them.

    Championship Standings Highlight Uphill Battle

    The points deficit underscores the magnitude of the challenge. Hamilton currently sits third in the drivers’ standings with 191 points, a substantial 76 points adrift of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Leclerc languishes in fifth place with 155 points. With the gap widening, external pressure has mounted for Ferrari to anoint a clear number-one driver, but Palmer contends that strategic window has firmly shut.

    Palmer: “The Ship Has Sailed” on Title Hopes

    Speaking on the F1 TV Weekend Warm-Up show ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Palmer delivered a blunt verdict when asked if the team should now back Hamilton exclusively.

    “Well, I feel like it’s too late,” Palmer said during the F1 TV Weekend Warm-Up show when asked if it is time for Ferrari to back Hamilton in the title fight.

    “The ship has sailed. I feel like they’re drifting away from championship contention. They’re not going to make it. I don’t think they’re quick enough.”

    Internal Rivalry Undermines Collective Progress

    Palmer expanded on his analysis, highlighting a persistent pattern of intra-team conflict that has prevented Ferrari from maximizing its weekends. He noted the irony of drivers acknowledging the need for cooperation while continuing to race each other aggressively.

    “And the drivers are so focused on beating each other that Lewis is talking there about how they need to start working together. We’re on round 14. I think back to China and they were knocking into each other, and there was a little bit of contact. They were absolutely swinging for each other for a podium while the Mercedes escaped.”

    “You thought, OK, they don’t have the pace to beat Mercedes on that day and it was fun to watch, and they do race each other really hard. They have done all season, but I can’t think of a single time where they’ve actually worked together.”

    Missed Opportunities at Key Rounds

    The pundit cited specific races where a lack of coordination cost the team dearly, contrasting the drivers’ fortunes when the other was not a factor.

    “Think of Lewis’s win and Charles wasn’t in contention in Barcelona, and Charles’s win and Lewis had jumped the start and wasn’t really in contention at Silverstone.”

    “So when they have an inferior car, I do feel like they had to probably prioritise a driver, if not at least make sure that they’re working together in any given race.”

    Monza Qualifying Advantage Squandered

    Palmer pointed to the Monza grid as the latest example of a strategic opportunity wasted. With the McLarens and Max Verstappen starting behind the Ferraris, and one Mercedes further back, the stage was set for a major points haul on home soil.

    “Starting third and fourth at Monza with one Mercedes at the back, both McLarens behind them, Max Verstappen behind as well, you’re thinking, OK, you’ve actually got a great chance to take the fight on your home turf. And they immediately started having a go with each other.”

    As the paddock moves to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix, the scrutiny on Ferrari’s driver management and car performance will only intensify, with Palmer’s assessment suggesting the structural issues run deeper than a simple hierarchy adjustment can fix.

  • F1 Spanish GP: George Russell tops FP1 as Lewis Hamilton impedes several drivers

    F1 Spanish GP: George Russell tops FP1 as Lewis Hamilton impedes several drivers

    George Russell Tops Historic First F1 Session at Madring for Spanish Grand Prix

    Mercedes driver George Russell set the pace in the inaugural Formula 1 session at the brand-new Madring circuit, leading Free Practice 1 for the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix. The session marked the first time F1 cars have run on the Madrid street layout, with 20 of the 22 entries taking to the track within the opening 100 seconds.

    Early Running and Tyre Strategies

    Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto were the last to emerge from the garages. Initial flying laps were tentative, with most drivers circulating in the 1m42s to 1m45s range. However, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris immediately dropped into the 1m39s bracket.

    Lap times tumbled rapidly. Within eight minutes, Hamilton—now driving for Ferrari—lowered the benchmark to 1m36.066s. He successively improved to 1m35.563s and 1m34.803s on medium tyres. Team-mate Charles Leclerc briefly went 0.120s quicker, but Hamilton responded with a 1m34.620s to reclaim top spot before the soft-compound runs began.

    Gabriel Bortoleto was the only driver to start on hard tyres. When the field switched to softs, Kimi Antonelli and Russell’s opening efforts fell 0.063s and 0.109s short of Hamilton’s medium-tyre reference.

    Mercedes Lock Out the Front Row

    Russell’s third flyer—a 1m34.145s—moved him to the top of the timesheets. He then improved to a session-best 1m34.077s. Antonelli followed in 1m34.363s, giving Mercedes a 1-2.

    Both Leclerc and Hamilton ran wide at Turn 17. Leclerc narrowly improved his personal best, while Hamilton ended the session as the only driver not to set his quickest lap on soft tyres—alongside Yuki Tsunoda, whose Running Bulls suffered a power-steering failure with 25 minutes remaining.

    Midfield Battle and Impeding Incidents

    Verstappen finished fifth ahead of Norris, Arvid Lindblad—who cleared the midfield pack—and Oscar Piastri. Hulkenberg, Liam Lawson, Bortoleto, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, and Colapinto were grouped between 1m35.5s and 1m35.9s.

    Home favourite Fernando Alonso placed an encouraging 15th by Aston Martin’s current standards, ahead of one Haas, both Williams, both Cadillacs, and team-mate Lance Stroll.

    The session’s main flashpoint came when Lindblad, on a flying lap, encountered the slow-moving Mercedes of Antonelli and Ferrari of Hamilton in the La Monumental section.

    “These same two guys, man! Like, I don’t know what they’re doing, they’re just stupid, right in the fast corner! It’s actually very dangerous, it’s been twice now.”

    Hamilton was subsequently involved in further impeding incidents at the expense of Leclerc and Hulkenberg. Carlos Sainz also complained over team radio about the manner in which the seven-time world champion let him past at La Monumental.

    Spanish Grand Prix FP1 Classification

    Full session results and statistical analysis are available via the official timing screens.

  • George Russell ‘overanalysing everything’ as Kimi Antonelli Extends F1 Lead, Says Former Driver

    George Russell ‘overanalysing everything’ as Kimi Antonelli Extends F1 Lead, Says Former Driver

    Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has offered a contrasting assessment of the Mercedes driver lineup, suggesting George Russell is overthinking his approach while championship leader Kimi Antonelli is performing with instinctive ease. The analysis arrives as the paddock prepares for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit in Madrid.

    Montoya Analyzes Mercedes Dynamic After Monza 1-2

    The Brackley-based squad celebrated a dominant 1-2 finish at the recent Italian Grand Prix. Antonelli secured a remarkable victory in front of his home crowd after starting 19th on the grid, while Russell finished second. Speaking on the F1 TV Weekend Warm-Up show, Montoya highlighted a fundamental difference in how the two drivers are extracting performance from the machinery.

    “He needs to learn and understand why it works so well for Kimi,” Montoya said of Russell.

    “The medium tyres were a little better than people expected on speed, especially as they got older. Actually, the speed stayed, there was really no degradation on those tyres. I think George is trying to overanalyse everything with the driving. He wants to do everything so right.

    “And Kimi is letting it happen more naturally. Kimi is just going for it, and things are working out. It’s like whatever he’s doing is working, and it’s really hard to beat Kimi because he doesn’t seem to get it wrong. His wrongs end up being right.”

    Antonelli’s ‘Unbeatable’ Rhythm

    The Colombian seven-time race winner elaborated on the Italian rookie’s current form, describing a scenario where even errors translate into advantages.

    “He goes through the gravel and he gases it and the car keeps going. He just can’t get it wrong. And when you have that, it’s really hard to beat.

    “George needs to understand the way he’s managing the tyres, maybe he needs to be a little more aggressive and just keep trying. He’s got the guy there. He’s got the information. And I think it’s a good lesson for George to get himself to a better level. The speed is not the question. It’s how the execution is happening.”

    Championship Standings Context

    Heading into the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, the championship picture reflects Antonelli’s strong start to the season. The Mercedes rookie holds a 66-point advantage over his more experienced teammate in the drivers’ standings, underscoring the effectiveness of the natural driving style Montoya described.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at Mercedes. Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
  • F1 Drivers Unveil Striking One-Off Helmet Designs for First Madrid Spanish GP

    F1 Drivers Unveil Striking One-Off Helmet Designs for First Madrid Spanish GP

    F1 Drivers Unveil Special Helmets for Inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s Madring Circuit

    Formula 1’s highly anticipated arrival in Madrid for the Spanish Grand Prix has inspired multiple drivers to debut one-off helmet designs for the historic first race at the Madring circuit. Set around the IFEMA exhibition centre, the new venue marks a significant shift for the Spanish Grand Prix, and three prominent drivers — home favorites Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, along with McLaren’s Lando Norris — have revealed bespoke headgear to commemorate the occasion.

    Carlos Sainz Honors Karting Roots with Nostalgic Design

    Madrid native Carlos Sainz, who also serves as an ambassador for the Madring circuit, chose his home race to revive a design tracing back to his karting debut in 2005. The helmet features a clean white base accented by prominent red and yellow details representing the Spanish flag. The original 2005 design drew inspiration from the helmet worn by his father, rallying legend Carlos Sainz Sr.

    “From my first karting race in 2005 to my first F1 race in Madrid. For this helmet, I wanted to go back to where it all started, bring back that first design inspired by my dad’s and give it my own touch today. Can’t wait to race with it at home!”

    Sainz posted the message alongside images of the helmet, connecting his formative years in motorsport with his current Formula 1 homecoming.

    Fernando Alonso Debuts Sleek All-Black BOSS Collaboration

    Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso introduced a stark departure from his typically colorful helmet livery. Collaborating with team partner BOSS, the two-time world champion unveiled a one-off design captioned “Tailored for speed.” Alonso arrived at the Madrid paddock wearing a matching BOSS Performance Suit and carrying the coordinating helmet.

    The new lid adopts an all-black aesthetic with subtle white accents, presenting a minimalist, performance-focused look that aligns with the BOSS brand identity.

    Lando Norris Teams Up with Madrid Artist Be Fernandez for Pop-Art Creation

    McLaren’s Lando Norris also commissioned a unique helmet for his first Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. The British driver partnered with Madrid-based artist, illustrator, and muralist Be Fernandez to create a vibrant pop-art design.

    “For my first race in Madrid I wanted to do something that felt properly connected to the city,”

    Norris explained, emphasizing his desire for authentic local representation.

    “Be knows Madrid and its culture far better than I ever could, so I basically gave her the helmet and told her to do her thing,”

    he continued, describing the collaborative process.

    “I love what she’s come up with – it brings together Madrid, her style and a bit of me as well. It’s fun, different and just a really cool design.”

    The resulting artwork blends Fernandez’s distinctive Madrid-influenced style with elements of Norris’s personal branding, creating a helmet that celebrates the host city through a contemporary artistic lens.

    With three distinct approaches — heritage, brand collaboration, and local artistic partnership — the special helmets underscore the significance of Formula 1’s Madrid debut and the drivers’ engagement with the new venue’s inaugural race weekend.

  • Max Verstappen Dismisses Hype Over Red Bull’s Madrid Surprise

    Max Verstappen Dismisses Hype Over Red Bull’s Madrid Surprise

    Verstappen Confronts Winless Season Reality Ahead of Madrid Grand Prix Debut

    Max Verstappen faces the distinct possibility of completing a Formula 1 season without a victory for the first time since his 2015 debut campaign. The four-time world champion addressed the scenario during the Dutch media session at Monza, offering a candid assessment of Red Bull’s current competitiveness.

    “I’m obviously never going to say that out loud!”

    Verstappen’s refusal to voice the possibility contrasts with his approach in 2023, when a similar admission preceded a dominant second-half run that saw him finish on the podium at every remaining round and narrowly miss a fifth consecutive title. The Dutchman acknowledges the current situation differs fundamentally.

    “Every time I’m in the car, I always go for the maximum. If the opportunity comes to win a race, then of course I’ll go all out for it. But with how things stand at the moment, that chance isn’t very big.”

    Driver Skill vs. Machinery at the Madring

    The inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the IFEMA complex—dubbed the Madring—has sparked discussion about circuits where driver talent can outweigh car performance. Verstappen dismissed the narrative that a demanding layout alone can close the gap to faster rivals.

    “I mean, you can make the story as beautiful as you want, right? Driver’s track or not, at the end of the day you still need a fast car in Formula 1.”

    He extended the point to his season overall, insisting his personal form remains high despite the results.

    “As a driver, I feel good this year, but I’m not winning races. Does that mean I’m a bad driver or not quick enough? I don’t think so. It’s not that suddenly because this is more of a driver’s track than Monza or whatever, you can do a lot better.”

    Madring Safety Concerns Draw Jeddah Comparisons

    Pre-event focus has centered on the circuit’s safety profile after an F3 test produced 19 red flags. Williams team principal James Vowles labeled the venue “a car killer.” Verstappen, asked by Motorsport.com about the danger level, drew a direct parallel to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

    “Well, it could be. In some places, when you have a tiny moment, it can result in a crash. But I mean, Jeddah is the same and we’ve spoken about that already before. You just have to deal with it and try to figure out the margins, to try and keep it under control. But of course, when you’re on the limit, it’s easy to make a little mistake.”

    He reinforced the comparison on driving sensation.

    “In terms of what I feel, yes. Of course, there are quite a lot more lower speed corners here, but the sensation I get is a little bit like that, yeah.”

    Lawson Echoes Blind-Corner Warning

    Red Bull stand-in Liam Lawson supported the Jeddah analogy, highlighting the prevalence of blind corners where walls run flush to the racing line.

    “The way these street circuits are built, the walls just sort of follow where the track goes and they’re just very blind in a lot of places. There are a lot of faster flowing corners where you have something behind it and you can’t see it. Jeddah obviously has more of that than this place, but it’s sort of similar in that way, I would say.”

    Lawson identified the Turn 5-6 chicane as a particular hazard.

    “If you take too much of the first kerb, it’ll bounce you across the second kerb, which will then bounce you into the wall. Trying to be accurate through a section like that is quite tough. I’ve seen a lot of videos of F3 cars just smashing both the kerbs and getting away with it, or not getting away with it, so it’s definitely a tricky part of the track. The braking zone is obviously not straight as well, so trying not to lock and push that braking zone is going to be pretty tough.”

    Power-Unit Limitations Expected to Restrict Flat-Out Running

    Looking ahead to the 2026 regulations, Lawson does not anticipate Monaco-style unrestricted pushing at the Madring.

    “Not like Monaco, no. I think Monaco is one where we can push flat out and actually have no limitations. I would say this is not going to be like that, but I think it definitely is somewhere that, more so than in Monza, you can probably make a bit of a difference.”

  • George Russell’s Telling Admission After Monza F1 Defeat to Kimi Antonelli

    George Russell’s Telling Admission After Monza F1 Defeat to Kimi Antonelli

    Russell Concedes 2026 Title Hopes But Finds Performance Answers as Antonelli Extends Lead

    George Russell has effectively conceded his chances of winning the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, though the Mercedes driver insists he has identified the reasons behind his difficult campaign relative to team-mate Kimi Antonelli.

    The Briton trails the championship-leading Antonelli by 66 points with ten rounds remaining, a significant deficit for a driver who entered the new regulatory era as the pre-season title favourite. Russell’s struggles have been particularly pronounced during Antonelli’s five-race winning streak earlier in the season.

    Driving Style Mismatch Identified

    Speaking in Monaco amid his team-mate’s dominant run, Russell suggested his naturally smoother driving style is less suited to the 2026 machinery than Antonelli’s more aggressive approach. The 28-year-old has spent much of the season adapting his technique, showing signs of progress since the summer break by outqualifying the 20-year-old in the last three sessions. However, race pace remains a deficit.

    That gap was starkly illustrated at Monza last weekend, where Antonelli produced a sensational drive from 19th on the grid — following an engine-change penalty — to overtake Russell, who started second, and claim victory. The result left the Italian rookie with one hand firmly on his maiden title.

    Russell: “I Do Have an Answer”

    Asked ahead of this weekend’s Madrid Grand Prix if he could explain Antonelli’s superior speed, Russell was candid about his self-analysis.

    “I do have an answer and I’m working on it.

    “I think it’s been much improved. So I’m very pleased with that sort of step I’ve taken because fundamentally changing the driving style, I think, is achievable for a lot of drivers.

    “But then actually being fast with it is another topic and I feel my performance since the summer break has been, you know, I’ve qualified ahead of him in the three qualifying sessions.

    “My race pace has been on a par with him in these two races and I couldn’t say that pre-break. So, as I said, I’m definitely very pleased with that progression. We’ll have to see where the rest of the season takes us.”

    Title Realism Sets In

    Despite the recent qualifying gains, Russell acknowledges the championship picture is bleak. The situation represents a dramatic reversal from 2025, when Russell arguably enjoyed his best season yet, maximising the W16 to finish fourth while Antonelli endured an up-and-down rookie campaign in seventh.

    “I definitely need some luck and I need some good performances,” added Russell. “It’s not really something I’m thinking about because, as I said, right now he’s performing better than me.

    “So he deserves to be leading the championship. There’s still a long way to go, but he’s yet to have a bad weekend in terms of performance. So he’s performing exceptionally well.

    “My performances are better, but if I want to win this championship, I’m going to need some luck on the way.

    “But it’s not something I’m focused on. I’m focused on driving faster and just finding more performance.”

    Antonelli Refuses Championship Mindset

    For his part, Antonelli insists he is not thinking about the title either. The Italian views his Monza comeback — charging from the back to win — as proof that a championship-focused mindset would be detrimental.

    “I don’t even know how many races are left. Eight? Ten, so still a long way to go,” said Antonelli.

    “I don’t really want to drive thinking about the championship. Monza was proof that I wasn’t driving, thinking about or worrying about the championship, I was just driving to win, to do my best and that’s the mindset.

    “Of course, there might be an occasion in the future where, before taking a certain decision, I might think about the championship.

    “But the thing I want to avoid is driving, going on track for a free practice or a qualifying or even a race, thinking about or worrying about the championship. That’s the thing I want to avoid at all costs!”

    With ten races remaining, the mathematical possibility of a Russell fightback exists, but both drivers appear aligned in their focus: extracting maximum performance each weekend rather than calculating championship permutations.