Every Formula One team has a different problem to solve at the new Madring circuit.
Let's admit it: the major storyline at the 2026 F1 Spanish Grand Prix is about how quickly the drivers learn the ropes in the new Madring circuit. But each team has a unique plot to address this weekend, starting with the championship leaders.
Mercedes - Can Antonelli turn a 66-point lead into a championship stronghold?
A Kimi Antonelli win at Madrid would further bury Mercedes teammate George Russell in a heap of trouble. The 20-year-old Italian driver looks unstoppable at the moment, but the pressure is on. This is now his championship to lose.
Ferrari - Is it too late to start prioritizing Hamilton?
Both Ferrari drivers have already cleared the air on their Monza battle, with Charles Leclerc admitting his error.
Now comes the important question: is it too late for Ferrari to start prioritizing Lewis Hamilton? The seven-time World Champion is already 76 points behind in the Drivers' Championship. If they're still hoping for an opportunity, a Hamilton victory at Madrid is surely a step in the right direction.
McLaren - Will their high-downforce car truly suit the Madring?
McLaren's Lando Norris looked the most serious non-Mercedes threat on twisty circuits like Hungary and Zandvoort. The track at Madrid also has that twisty, high-load nature that could suit the MCL40's high-downforce setup.
Red Bull - Are we going to witness another Verstappen magic?
If you're looking for a driver who can adapt the best in a new circuit, you might want to tap Max Verstappen. The four-time World Champion has also been in good form recently. Save for a couple of DNFs, Verstappen has finished on the podium in four of his last six races.
Racing Bulls - Can Yuki give us a proper farewell (at least for this season)?
Isack Hadjar will miss his third straight race weekend, but he might be fully recovered when F1 returns to Baku on September 24-26. This could mean the last race this season for Yuki Tsunoda, who scored an important midfield point for the Racing Bulls in Monza. He's hoping to continue his fine form and potentially beat his teammate Arvid Lindblad in two of his three races in 2026.
Alpine - Is the Monza pace just a big fluke?
Alpine surprised everyone with a blistering one-lap pace at Monza. However, Madrid's technical sections, heavy braking, and new surface present a completely different test. Alpine needs to establish whether its Monza performance was an isolated opportunity or evidence that the upgrades are working.
Haas - Can Ocon save his future in F1?
Esteban Ocon has failed to score a point in the last seven races, prompting rumors of Haas replacing him in 2027. A points finish at Madrid, or at least a better performance than his younger teammate Oliver Bearman, could help turn the tables for the Frenchman.
Audi - Can Bortoleto end his scoring drought?
Gabriel Bortoleto was in great form early in July, when he totalled eight points in the British and Belgian Grands Prix. But he has suffered a drought in the last three races, painfully finishing 11th in Hungary and Monza. The Brazilian driver will be hard-pressed to return to form and score some important midfield points for Audi.
Williams - Is the new livery a positive omen?
Williams heads into the weekend with a new livery that pays tribute to the team's last race in Madrid in 1981. But the big question mark is still the car's performance, especially in Carlos Sainz Jr's home race.
Aston Martin - Can Alonso cross the checkered flag in his home race?
Coming off a ninth-place finish in the Dutch Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso came back to earth quickly with a DNF at Monza. Nobody is expecting the Aston Martin drivers to compete for points at Madrid, but we don't want to see Alonso get out of his car early in his home race.
Cadillac - Can they score their first points of the season?
Everyone is on level ground in Madrid, with all teams figuring out the track for the first time. This might be the best opportunity for Sergio Perez or Valtteri Bottas to score a point, although they might still need to get lucky on Sunday.
