George Russell topped the timing sheets in the opening practice session at the brand‑new Madring circuit in Madrid, edging out his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli by just 0.286 seconds. After a disappointing weekend at Monza where Antonelli, the championship leader, out‑qualified him, Russell entered the Spanish Grand Prix weekend with a clear objective: to reclaim pace and confidence.
His fastest lap on the soft tyre compound demonstrated that he had achieved that goal, sending a strong signal to the rest of the grid. Ferrari, meanwhile, proved they could quickly get up to speed. Their drivers were only about half a second slower than the session‑leading times while running on the medium tyres, a compound that typically offers a more balanced performance between grip and durability. This early showing suggested that the Scuderia could be a genuine contender for the top step of the podium, especially as they continued to develop the car over the course of the weekend.
Charles Leclerc, who suffered a serious crash at Monza that left him with blurred vision, managed to improve his lap on the soft tyres and climb into third place. His resilience was evident, as he fought back from the physical discomfort of his injury to produce a competitive time. In contrast, Lewis Hamilton’s best effort remained on the medium tyres, and his lap time was not sufficient to challenge Russell’s lead. Hamilton attracted criticism from at least four other drivers for impeding traffic during the practice hour.
The narrow layout of the Madring circuit, particularly the high‑speed, banked Turn 12, made overtaking and finding clean air difficult. Arvid Lindblad was the first to label Hamilton and Antonelli as "stupid" for blocking the track at this crucial corner. Following Lindblad’s complaint, both Nico Hülkenberg from Audi and Carlos Sainz of Williams were forced to abandon their flying laps because the seven‑time world champion appeared unaware of their approach. Sainz’s radio transmission captured his frustration: "Lewis letting by in the middle of Turn 12.
It's always the same, it's so dangerous!" The practice session was not without its own drama. Earlier in the month, a two‑day Formula 3 test at the same venue suffered 19 red‑flag interruptions, raising concerns about the circuit’s safety and the potential for similar disruptions in Formula 1. However, all 22 F1 drivers managed to stay on track and avoid the barriers during this practice, indicating that the teams had learned from the earlier incidents and adapted their strategies accordingly. Track evolution was rapid throughout the hour, with lap times improving as more rubber was laid down and drivers gained a better understanding of the circuit’s nuances.
By the end of the session, it was clear that both Mercedes and Ferrari were shaping up to be the primary challengers for the top positions over the weekend. Sky Sports F1 analyst Anthony Davidson praised the drivers’ adaptability, stating, "I'm really impressed with the way they approached this brand new circuit.
They made it look easy, which they often do." Further down the order, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen recorded the fifth‑fastest time, followed by McLaren’s Lando Norris. Rookie Arvid Lindblad, driving for the Racing Bulls outfit, impressed observers by securing seventh place, showcasing his potential on a demanding track. Audi’s Nico Hülkenberg posted a ninth‑fastest lap, while his teammate Gabriel Bortoleto was just outside the top ten in eleventh. Red Bull’s Liam Lawson slotted into tenth, rounding out a diverse set of competitive performances across the grid.
The weekend schedule is packed with action beyond the Formula 1 sessions. On Friday, September 11, the day begins with the Team Bosses’ Press Conference at 2:40 pm, followed by the second practice session at 3:45 pm, then a Formula 3 qualifying at 5:20 pm, and finally the F1 Show at 6:20 pm. Saturday, September 12, features a Formula 3 sprint at 10:00 am, the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 11:00 am (starting officially at 11:30 am), an F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the build‑up to the Grand Prix qualifying at 2:15 pm.
The qualifying itself kicks off at 3:00 pm, with the session concluding at 4:55 pm, after which the Formula 3 Feature Race 1 starts at 6:00 pm, followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook. Sunday, September 13, hosts the second Formula 3 Feature Race at 8:40 am, the F2 Feature Race at 10:20 am, and the build‑up to the main event at 12:30 pm. The Spanish Grand Prix itself begins at 2:00 pm, with the chequered flag expected around 4:00 pm, after which the post‑race reaction and Ted’s Notebook will provide analysis and commentary. All of these events, including the Grand Prix, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via the NOW platform—no long‑term contract required and cancelable at any time.
In the lead‑up to Sunday’s race, Max Verstappen warned that the new Madring layout could be a "car killer," citing the high‑speed banked sections and the limited runoff areas as potential threats to vehicle reliability. Drivers across the grid are preparing for a weekend that promises to test both tyre management and car durability. Russell, in particular, expressed concerns about tyre wear, noting that the novel surface and abrasive compounds could force teams into strategic compromises.
Despite the challenges, Russell remains confident. He hinted that he has a solution to match Antonelli’s impressive pace, stating, "I think I have an answer to his speed, and we’ll see how it plays out in qualifying and the race." His optimism reflects a broader sentiment among the Mercedes camp, who believe that their recent upgrades and the data gathered from the first practice will enable them to fight for victory.
Overall, the first practice at Madring set the tone for a thrilling Spanish Grand Prix weekend. With Mercedes and Ferrari locked in a close battle, Red Bull still within striking distance, and several newcomers showing promise, fans can expect intense competition, strategic tyre battles, and perhaps a few more on‑track incidents as drivers push the limits of this challenging new circuit.