Drivers and teams gauge performance and upgrades after subdued Spanish Grand Prix
The inaugural race on the Madring circuit offered few on-track battles but highlighted key issues for Lewis Hamilton, Aston Martin, Red Bull, Williams and other teams ahead of the rest of the season.
The first Formula 1 event on the new Madring street circuit in Madrid produced little on-track drama, yet drivers and team officials used the weekend to discuss broader challenges. Lewis Hamilton, who retired early with brake problems, told Sky Sports F1 that Mercedes and its 2026 replacement Kimi Antonelli are "unstop-pable" and implied his own title hopes are effectively over.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso criticised the Honda power unit after the race, saying the engine was "very bad" and almost caused a stall during a pit stop. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has reportedly spoken with Alonso and team owner Lawrence Stroll about possible concessions for Honda, though any assistance would need agreement from rival manufacturers.
Red Bull acknowledged ongoing car-performance degradation. Team principal Laurent Mekies said, "There is an element of car performance degradation that is happening through a session and through a race... we are not sleeping on it and we have made some positive steps this weekend, but it will likely take us through next year to resolve."
The circuit layout itself is slated for changes before the 2027 season, with revisions to Turn 5, Turn 13 and Turn 20 aimed at improving overtaking opportunities. The modifications were delayed due to tight construction schedules and extensive local authority consultations.
Williams driver Alex Albon said the team’s 2026 upgrade expected for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is unlikely to lift them into midfield, noting the current gap to the midfield is about 50 seconds over a race distance. He highlighted the rapid development pace of rival teams, citing Alpine and Haas as having already introduced significant upgrades.
Alpine’s Franco Colapinto credited Pierre Gasly’s recent pole position at Monza for helping him qualify ninth and finish seventh in Madrid, describing the track as "the most difficult one of the year to nail a lap".
Haas came close to ending its points drought after Monaco, with Esteban Ocon running as high as tenth before a slower pit stop under a virtual safety car left him just outside the points. Team principal Ayao Komatsu blamed equipment limitations rather than team error for the pit-stop loss.