George Russell emerged as the quickest driver in the opening practice session at the brand-new Madrig circuit in Madrid, edging out his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli by just 0.286 seconds. After a disappointing finish at Monza where Antonelli, the current championship leader, claimed victory, Russell was eager to bounce back, and his performance in the Spanish Grand Prix weekend’s first practice signalled a strong intent to do so.
The session highlighted a promising start for Ferrari as well. Even though the Italian team was running on medium‑compound tyres, they were never more than half a second away from the best lap times set on the softer compounds by Mercedes. This suggests that the Scuderia has a solid baseline pace on the new layout, and with further development they could become serious contenders for the top step of the podium. Charles Leclerc, who is still coping with blurred vision following his massive crash at Monza, managed to improve his time on the soft tyres and secured third place in the standings.
His resilience in the face of injury has been widely praised, and his ability to extract speed despite visual impairment underscores his talent and determination. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s fastest lap remained on the medium tyres, a result that sparked criticism from several drivers. At least four competitors accused Hamilton of impeding other drivers during the practice hour. The tight, narrow nature of the Madrig circuit means that traffic management is a crucial factor, and the seven‑time world champion was allegedly unaware of slower cars approaching, especially through the high‑speed, banked Turn 12.
Arvid Lindblad was the first to label Hamilton and Antonelli "stupid" for blocking the racing line at this critical corner. Following him, Charles Leclerc, Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg and Williams driver Carlos Sainz were forced to abandon their flying laps after Hamilton’s car appeared unexpectedly in their path. 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 incident highlighted the challenges drivers face on a circuit that combines high speeds with limited runoff areas, making any obstruction potentially hazardous. Beyond the on‑track drama, the practice session also featured a slew of headlines and storylines.
The Spanish Grand Prix, the 14th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season, has already generated buzz with headlines such as "Lewis Hamilton says there's no stopping Kimi Antonelli" and "Lando Norris calls for Virtual Safety Car rule changes after losing a win to Antonelli." In the qualifying later in the weekend, Antonelli went on to win the inaugural Madrig race, extending his championship lead, while Norris secured his first pole position on the new circuit after an exhilarating showdown. The practice day was not without its logistical concerns.
After a recent Formula 3 test that required 19 red‑flag stops over two days, there were worries that the F1 session could be similarly disrupted. However, all 22 drivers managed to stay clear of the barriers, and the session proceeded relatively smoothly, with only minor incidents. Track evolution was evident throughout the hour, with lap times steadily improving as drivers and engineers gathered data on tyre behaviour and aerodynamic performance.
The early pace suggests a close battle between Mercedes and Ferrari for the top spot this weekend, with both teams demonstrating the ability to adapt quickly to the circuit’s unique characteristics. Sky Sports F1 analyst Anthony Davidson praised the drivers’ handling of the brand‑new layout: "I'm really impressed with the way they approached this brand new circuit.
They made it look easy, which they often do." His comment reflects the professionalism and adaptability of the modern F1 grid when faced with unfamiliar venues. In the midfield, Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured fifth place, while McLaren’s Lando Norris was sixth.
Rookie Arvid Lindblad impressed by finishing seventh for Racing Bulls, showing that new talent can also thrive on this demanding track. Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg posted a respectable ninth, and his teammate Gabriel Bortoleto finished eleventh, with Red Bull’s rookie Lawson slotting into tenth. The weekend schedule is packed with supporting series and events. On Friday, September 11, the team bosses’ press conference kicks off at 2:40 pm, followed by the second practice session at 3:45 pm, F3 qualifying at 5:20 pm, and the F1 Show at 6:20 pm.
Saturday, September 12, features the F3 sprint at 10:00 am, the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 11:30 am, the F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the crucial qualifying session for the Spanish Grand Prix starting at 2:15 pm, culminating in the F3 Feature Race 1 at 4:55 pm and Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 6:00 pm. Sunday, September 13, rounds out the action with the F3 Feature Race 2 at 8:40 am, the F2 Feature Race at 10:20 am, and the Grand Prix build‑up from 12:30 pm, leading to the race itself at 2:00 pm, the chequered flag at 4:00 pm, and post‑race reaction and analysis later in the afternoon.
Fans can watch the entire weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract. The Spanish Grand Prix promises to be a landmark event, not only because it marks the debut of the Madrig circuit but also due to the intense championship battle shaping up between Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, with young talents like Antonelli and Norris adding fresh intrigue to the season’s narrative.