Samwise F1 Newsletter
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Antonelli Sets Friday Pace at Madring as Mercedes Claims FP2 Top Spot
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in second practice at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, posting a 1:33.662 to lead Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.113 seconds at the new Madring circuit in Madrid. Lewis Hamilton was third, 0.149 seconds off Antonelli's benchmark. George Russell was fifth, 0.337 seconds adrift. The session was disrupted by a red flag after Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad crashed at Turn 13 late in the hour. Antonelli extended his overall championship lead with a dominant Friday, as Mercedes topped both practice sessions at Formula 1's newest street circuit.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Russell Leads First-Ever Madring Practice as Hamilton Attracts Traffic Complaints
George Russell set the quickest time in Formula 1's first-ever practice session at the Madring circuit, the new Madrid street track replacing Barcelona as the home of the Spanish Grand Prix. Russell posted a 1:34.077 on soft tyres in FP1, finishing 0.285 seconds ahead of team-mate Kimi Antonelli, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc third. Lewis Hamilton drew complaints from at least four drivers during the session, including Arvid Lindblad, Charles Leclerc, Nico Hülkenberg, and Carlos Sainz, who were forced to abort flying laps after encountering Hamilton at the high-speed banked Turn 12.
Lindblad Triggers First-Ever Madring Red Flag with Heavy FP2 Crash
Racing Bulls teenager Arvid Lindblad became the first driver to crash at the Madring circuit, losing control at Turn 13 late in FP2 at the Spanish Grand Prix and bringing out the first red flag in the venue's Formula 1 history. The 19-year-old had been running fourth on the timing sheets before pushing too hard on a subsequent lap. The crash caused heavy damage to Lindblad's car, affecting the floor, front and rear wings, and suspension. Despite the setback, Lindblad said every FP2 lap had shown competitive pace before the error ended his session.
Verstappen Warns Madring Is 'Probably a Car Killer' After Difficult Friday
Max Verstappen delivered a stark verdict on Formula 1's newest circuit after Friday practice at the Madring, describing the new Madrid venue as 'probably a car killer' due to its tight barriers and relentless cornering. Verstappen finished sixth in FP2, 0.401 seconds behind pace-setter Kimi Antonelli, and encountered a power steering issue he expected to be resolved for Saturday. He compared the Madring to Jeddah, noting the walls are positioned similarly close to the racing line. On long runs, the Red Bull driver said tyre management had been positive and the race could suit the team better.
Sources: Sky Sports F1
Hadjar Misses Third Consecutive Race as Lawson Continues at Red Bull in Madrid
Isack Hadjar will miss the Spanish Grand Prix, his third consecutive absence, as Red Bull's French rookie continues to recover from a fractured wrist bone sustained in a boxing training session during the summer break. Liam Lawson has been confirmed as Hadjar's replacement alongside Max Verstappen for a third successive weekend. Red Bull said Hadjar's recovery was progressing as planned and they would evaluate him ahead of the Baku round. The 21-year-old has sought advice from MotoGP champion Marc Marquez on managing his rehabilitation, and Red Bull said they have no intention of rushing his comeback.
Sources: Sky Sports F1
F1 Drivers Divided Over Madring as New Circuit Presents High-Risk Challenge
Formula 1 drivers offered sharply contrasting views on the Madring circuit following their first practice sessions at the new 5.416-kilometre Madrid track. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc praised the grip levels despite a fresh surface and described it as a circuit he genuinely enjoyed. Carlos Sainz, who grew up near Madrid, predicted the race would feature multiple safety cars and red flags. Franco Colapinto said mastering a clean lap in the simulator required hours of practice. Max Verstappen and others flagged the close barriers and relentless 22-corner layout as key concerns, while Sergio Perez predicted the Madring would become the best race in Europe.
Russell Warns Corner-Heavy Madring Could Produce Unexpected Tyre Degradation in Race
George Russell raised concerns about tyre wear ahead of qualifying and Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, warning that the almost unrelenting sequence of corners on Madrid's new Madring circuit could produce thermal effects not yet fully understood by teams. Russell, who topped FP1, noted cars rarely have an opportunity to rest their tyres, with the 22-corner layout offering very few straights to allow temperatures to drop. Despite the smooth surface potentially limiting traditional abrasive wear, Russell said thermal loading could prove decisive in shaping Sunday's result, and Mercedes used Friday's long runs to gather tyre strategy data.
Sources: Sky Sports F1
Russell Insists He 'Has an Answer' to Antonelli as 66-Point Gap Looms Over Madrid
George Russell insisted he 'has an answer' to Kimi Antonelli's pace heading into the Spanish Grand Prix, with the championship leader 66 points clear after seven wins in 2026 including a spectacular recovery from 19th at Monza. Antonelli, 20, would become the youngest world champion in history should he clinch the title. Russell sits on 201 points with Lewis Hamilton third on 191, Lando Norris fourth on 159, and 10 rounds of the season remaining. Mercedes leads the Constructors' Championship by 122 points over Ferrari, with the Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid's Madring circuit representing another key battleground in the title fight.
Sources: Sky Sports F1
Drivers' Championship
| Pos | Driver | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | K. Antonelli | 267 |
| 2 | G. Russell | 201 |
| 3 | L. Hamilton | 191 |
| 4 | L. Norris | 159 |
| 5 | C. Leclerc | 155 |
| 6 | M. Verstappen | 112 |
| 7 | O. Piastri | 104 |
| 8 | L. Lawson | 43 |
| 9 | F. Colapinto | 19 |
| 10 | C. Sainz | 6 |
| 11 | F. Alonso | 1 |
| 12 | L. Stroll | 0 |
Constructors' Championship
| Pos | Constructor | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes | 468 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 346 |
| 3 | McLaren | 285 |
| 4 | Red Bull | 204 |
| 5 | Alpine | 71 |
| 6 | Racing Bulls | 68 |
| 7 | Haas | 21 |
| 8 | Audi | 12 |
| 9 | Williams | 11 |
| 10 | Aston Martin | 3 |
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