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Madrid GP Practice Halts: Hamilton Crashes, Barriers Repaired
12 Sep
Summary
- Lewis Hamilton's crash caused a lengthy interruption to practice.
- The new Madrid circuit has experienced multiple crashes in practice sessions.
- Kimi Antonelli finished fastest in the disrupted final practice session.
The final practice session for the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid was significantly disrupted on Saturday. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli posted the fastest lap time, setting a benchmark of 1 minute 32.797 seconds. This followed a lengthy interruption caused by extensive barrier repairs necessitated by a crash involving Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari.
The Mercedes driver, Hamilton, went straight into the wall at the final corner, triggering a red flag with approximately 36 minutes remaining. Despite initial attempts to continue, he was persuaded by his team to stop the car. The delay for barrier repairs lasted over 40 minutes. This incident marks the second crash on the new Madrid track, which has been described as challenging and complex.
Adding to the track's challenging nature, Oliver Bearman of Haas also hit the barriers at the end of third practice. Arvid Lindblad of Racing Bulls had also crashed on Saturday. The circuit is known for its fast turns, limited visibility, and scarce run-off areas, contributing to its reputation as potentially "scary."
Qualifying for Sunday's race is scheduled for later on Saturday. Antonelli currently leads the drivers' standings by 66 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell.
