Formula 1 has already shifted its focus to the Spanish Grand Prix, and Gabriel Bortoleto appears among the names most attentive to Madring’s debut. The Brazilian said he prepared himself in the simulator and hopes that the new circuit will give Audi an opportunity to “fight for something more” after a performance better than expected at Monza.
The anticipation for the new layout also dominates the rest of the grid. Nico Hülkenberg highlighted that nobody knows exactly what to expect until the cars hit the track and stressed rapid adaptation as essential, while Fernando Alonso ruled out any major announcement about his future during the home round.
At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc continued to stand out after the strong crash at the Italian Grand Prix. Telemetry showed that the Monegasque reached 233 km/h shortly before losing control of the car at the Parabolica, and another analysis estimated the cumulative cost of his crashes in 2026 at approximately $1.888 million, the highest on the grid so far.
McLaren also left Monza with matters to review. Andrea Stella stated that the team will conduct an internal analysis of the duel between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, which opened up space for Max Verstappen to gain ground as the two teammates battled each other.
Off the track, Cadillac could gain a significant reinforcement to its technical structure. Craig Skinner officially ended his ties with Red Bull and became available after the hiatus, with the American team pointed to as his most likely destination.
The day also carried concerns about the season’s end. Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated that the FIA will place safety above any other factor in deciding the Qatar and Abu Dhabi GPs, while expectations grow for a definition on whether the two events will take place given the situation in the Middle East.
