Formula 1: Hamilton and Bearman crashes expose risks of new Madrid track ahead of qualifying
In final practice before Spanish Grand Prix qualifying at the new Madrid circuit, both Lewis Hamilton and Oliver Bearman crashed, confirming fears about the track's danger; Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time.
Two crashes on the new circuit
The Formula 1 season continues with the Spanish Grand Prix, held for the first time at the new "Madring" circuit in Madrid. In the third free practice session ahead of Saturday's qualifying, both Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Haas driver Oliver Bearman crashed, confirming concerns about the new track's danger — Mercedes driver George Russell had already described it as "very high risk", according to the BBC.
Hamilton crashed at the final corner midway through the session, damaging his front wing. Accounts of what followed differ slightly: the BBC and Germany's T-Online report that Hamilton initially refused Ferrari's demand to stop the damaged car and tried to drive back to the pits, but was ultimately forced to abandon the attempt and stop on track. Sportschau.de, however, reports that he stopped the car and was taken back to the paddock by scooter, apparently unhurt. T-Online notes it remains unclear whether Hamilton could face a penalty for continuing to drive a damaged car, since FIA rules only allow a damaged car to be moved if it poses no danger to other drivers.
The session was stopped with a red flag, and because repairing the barriers took considerable time, officials took the unusual step of also stopping the session clock — according to the BBC, running resumed with around 15 minutes left. A few minutes before the end, Bearman spun into the barriers at Turn 10, ending the session early.
Race against time before qualifying
According to T-Online, Hamilton's mechanics are now racing against the clock to have the car ready for Saturday's qualifying — if they fail, he will have to start Sunday's race from the back of the grid. That would be a further setback after a disappointing sixth-place finish last weekend in Monza. The 41-year-old currently sits third in the drivers' championship and is looking to pressure championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
Antonelli keeps up the pace
The fastest time in the session went to Mercedes' Antonelli, who beat the previous benchmark set by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.166 seconds. Formula1.com notes that Antonelli, who climbed from 19th to first place at the last round in Italy, again looked more comfortable than his teammate in Madrid. McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were third and fourth, ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Russell. Hamilton ended the session ninth fastest, on a time set early on before his crash.
The BBC also reports that Aston Martin's Lance Stroll will start the race from the back of the grid after exceeding his permitted number of engine parts for the season. Sportschau.de adds that Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad suffered an even heavier crash on Friday.
