Kimi Antonelli, who is currently at the top of the championship standings, posted the fastest time in the final practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the newly built Madring circuit. The session turned dramatic when seven‑time world champion Lewis Hamilton suffered a crash that cost him valuable track time just before qualifying.
Only about twenty minutes into the practice run, Hamilton appeared to be on track for a very quick lap. However, as he approached the final corner he mis‑judged his braking point, ran too deep into the turn and collided head‑on with the safety barriers. The impact was not at full racing speed, but it was enough to dislodge the front wing of his Mercedes. The wing folded and became trapped beneath the right‑hand front tyre.
Ferrari’s team immediately advised Hamilton to bring the car to a stop, but the British champion was determined to nurse the car back toward the pit lane so he could preserve his running for the upcoming qualifying session scheduled for 3 p.m. (with a build‑up period beginning at 2.15 p.m.).
Hamilton managed to reverse out of the barrier, but the damaged wing continued to drag under the chassis, creating a dangerous situation. After a short limp around the circuit, the car finally stalled in the middle sector. Sky Sports F1 commentator Anthony Davidson criticised Hamilton’s decision, stating that any young driver watching would understand that continuing to drive a car with a compromised front wing is unsafe and against the spirit of the sport’s regulations.
"You don’t keep going like that when the front wing is hanging under the car," Davidson said. "The rule exists for a reason – to protect the driver, the marshals and everyone on track. If the wing were to come completely off and lift the front wheels, you could have a serious incident with marshals nearby." The crash forced race officials to deploy a red flag for roughly 45 minutes while the barrier was repaired and the debris cleared. During the stoppage, the session clock was halted with fifteen minutes left, allowing the drivers a chance to complete additional laps once the track was reopened.
This pause gave the competitors a brief window to adapt to the evolving grip levels on the new circuit. When the session resumed, Antonelli set a blistering lap of 1:32.797, edging out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by a narrow 0.166 seconds. His performance widened his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 66 points ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell, underscoring his rapid rise in the sport.
McLaren also showed strong form, with Oscar Piastri posting the third‑fastest time and Lando Norris, who missed most of Friday’s second practice, climbing to fourth. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen recorded the fifth‑quickest lap, while Russell settled for sixth.
The spread of times suggested that pole position could be contested by several drivers, as the track continued to evolve and provide more grip with each lap. Haas rookie Oliver Bearman highlighted the difficulty of the Madring layout when he suffered a heavy crash at the high‑speed Turn 11.
The incident left his team scrambling to repair the car before qualifying, illustrating how unforgiving the circuit can be for even the most talented newcomers. The weekend schedule is packed with action.
On Saturday, September 12, the build‑up to qualifying begins at 2.15 p.m., followed by the qualifying session at 3 p.m., then the Formula 3 Feature Race 1 at 4.55 p.m., and Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 6 p.m. Sunday, September 13, features the second Formula 3 Feature Race at 8.40 a.m., the Formula 2 Feature Race at 10.20 a.m., the Grand Prix itself at 12.30 p.m.
(with a build‑up from 2 p.m.), and the race conclusion with the chequered flag at 4 p.m., followed by post‑race reaction and Ted’s Notebook at 5 p.m. All of these events are also broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event. Formula 1’s return to Madrid for the Spanish Grand Prix marks a significant moment for the sport, as the new Madring circuit tests drivers’ skill and teams’ adaptability.
The race is set for Sunday at 2 p.m., with live coverage on Sky Sports F1. Viewers can stream the broadcast via Sky Sports NOW, which offers a flexible subscription without a long‑term contract and the option to cancel at any time. The combination of a fresh venue, a dramatic practice session, and a tightly contested championship battle promises an exciting weekend for fans worldwide.