World champion Kimi Antonelli posted the fastest lap on the opening day of Formula 1 action at the brand‑new Madrid circuit, a venue that quickly proved its unforgiving nature when British newcomer Arvid Lindblad suffered a heavy crash. Antonelli, who had been out‑paced by his Mercedes teammate George Russell in the first practice session, turned the tables in Practice Two by delivering a lap of 1:33.662.
That time put him just over a tenth of a second ahead of the Ferrari pairing of Charles Leclerc and the veteran Lewis Hamilton, underscoring his rapid adaptation to the twisty, high‑downforce track. The impressive timesheet reinforced the confidence Antonelli displayed after his stunning victory at the Italian Grand Prix the previous weekend. Starting from 19th on the grid in Monza, he surged through the field to claim a win that lifted him 66 points clear of Russell with ten races still to run in the 2026 championship.
The momentum he built in Italy carried straight into Spain, where his speed suggested a tight battle for pole position between Mercedes and Ferrari on Saturday. The excitement in the Spanish capital was palpable, as Formula 1 returned to Madrid for the first time since 1981. Many analysts had warned that the new circuit’s tight corners and abrasive kerbs would generate a high number of red‑flag incidents throughout the weekend. Indeed, the support categories – Formula 2 and Formula 3 – experienced several stoppages on Friday, yet the F1 field managed to avoid any major incidents during the first practice session.
The calm was shattered midway through Practice Two when the 19‑year‑old Lindblad, who had been running strongly in fourth place, pushed a little too hard on his next flying lap. At the fast, downhill Turn 13 he lost control, spun, and slammed into the barrier at considerable speed, prompting a lengthy cleanup and a red flag. Lindblad later explained his mistake: "It’s not an easy track.
We’re all trying to find the limits. It’s new for everyone. I made a small error and over‑cooked Turn 13.
It’s a shame and I apologise to the mechanics and the team – it’s extra work for them tonight. But overall it’s been a good day.
We’re very quick. I was running P4 on merit and only two‑tenths off P1, which feels strong. The team has a lot of confidence going into tomorrow.
I’m focused on resetting, blocking it out and taking the positive lessons." His comments highlighted both the difficulty of the circuit and the optimism that still permeated the Mercedes garage despite the setback. The crash caused a brief pause of just over ten minutes, after which the remaining drivers completed their qualifying simulations.
Antonelli retained the top spot on the timesheet, confirming his status as the man to beat in Madrid. Russell, who had struggled to find the perfect setup, managed to climb to fifth place, edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in the process.
Speaking after the session, Russell said, "It was fun to drive the track for the first time. It’s always a great experience on a new circuit.
FP1 was a strong session. In FP2 we tried some setup changes that didn’t work as well, so we’ll probably revert. So far so good." Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, was unable to set a time after a gearbox failure forced him out after only two laps. McLaren had entered the weekend with high expectations, especially after Norris had secured back‑to‑back victories prior to Antonelli’s Monza triumph.
The early retirement, however, left the team on the back foot heading into Saturday’s qualifying, and it also meant that Norris lost valuable data that could have helped him adapt to the circuit’s unique demands. The weekend schedule was packed with support races and qualifying sessions.
On Saturday, September 12, the day began with an F3 sprint, followed by the third practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at 11:30 a.m., an F2 sprint, and then the build‑up to qualifying. The qualifying session itself started at 3 p.m., with the F3 feature race later in the afternoon and a final qualifying notebook from the commentator at 6 p.m. Sunday’s program featured the F3 and F2 feature races, the Grand Prix build‑up, the main race at 2 p.m., and post‑race analysis. The new Madring circuit, designed to encourage overtaking with a mix of long straights and tight technical sections, has already lived up to its reputation as a demanding venue.
Drivers have praised the track’s character while also noting the physical and mental strain required to extract performance. The combination of high‑speed corners, heavy braking zones, and a bumpy surface has forced teams to fine‑tune their aerodynamic packages and suspension settings more aggressively than on many other tracks. Looking ahead, the data gathered from Friday’s sessions will be crucial for all teams. Mercedes will aim to build on Antonelli’s pace, while Ferrari will look to close the gap and challenge for pole.
Red Bull, despite a modest showing in practice, will rely on Verstappen’s experience to extract speed in the final qualifying run. McLaren, after Norris’s gearbox issue, will need to focus on reliability and perhaps adopt a more conservative approach in the qualifying lap to ensure they make it onto the grid. In summary, the first day of the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit delivered a blend of excitement, drama, and a stark reminder of the track’s difficulty. Antonelli’s blistering lap cemented his status as a championship contender, while Lindblad’s crash served as a cautionary tale for drivers still learning the limits of the circuit.
With qualifying set for Saturday and the race scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m., fans can expect an intense showdown as the drivers push the limits of both machine and mind on one of Formula 1’s most challenging new venues.