George Russell emerged as the quickest driver 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 the championship leader Antonelli had out‑performed him, Russell entered the Spanish Grand Prix weekend with a clear purpose: to prove he could bounce back. His fastest lap, set on the soft‑compound tyres, demonstrated that his car was well‑balanced and that he could extract the maximum from the new track layout.
Ferrari, meanwhile, made an early impression. Their drivers were only about half a second slower than the leading Mercedes times, despite running on the medium‑compound tyres, which are generally slower than the softs. This early pace suggested that the Italian team could be a serious contender for the top step of the podium as the weekend progressed.
Charles Leclerc, who is still recovering from the severe crash at Monza that left him with blurred vision, managed to improve his position on the soft tyres, climbing to third place in the session. Leclerc’s ability to push the car despite his lingering symptoms impressed many observers and hinted that he could still be a factor in the race. Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, recorded his best time on the medium tyres, but his lap was repeatedly interrupted by traffic.
The cramped nature of the Madring circuit, with its tight corners and high‑speed banked sections, caused several drivers to complain about being blocked. At least four drivers – including Arvid Lindblad, who openly called Hamilton and Antonelli "stupid" for obstructing the track at the high‑speed Turn 12 – voiced their frustration. Leclerc, Nico Hülkenberg from Audi, and Williams’ Carlos Sainz also had to abandon flying laps when Hamilton, a seven‑time world champion, failed to see them approaching.
Sainz’s radio transmission captured the irritation: "Lewis letting by in the middle of Turn 12. It's always the same, it's so dangerous!" The practice session also featured a flurry of headlines and side stories.
Reports surfaced that Hamilton believed there was "no stopping" Antonelli, suggesting that the young Ferrari driver could be a genuine threat to the 2026 championship battle. Lando Norris of McLaren called for changes to the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) regulations after he lost a potential win to Antonelli, while team principals expressed optimism about the track’s overtaking opportunities despite its novel layout.
Martin Brundle, the veteran commentator, offered his verdict on Madring’s debut, highlighting areas that might need tweaking for the 2027 season and questioning the current VSC rules. In the race itself, Antonelli went on to win the inaugural Madring Grand Prix, extending his title lead, while Norris suffered misfortune that cost him a chance at victory. The practice day was not without its technical hiccups. Viewers were repeatedly reminded to use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player, a note that appeared several times in the broadcast feed.
Despite concerns raised after a recent Formula 3 test that required 19 red flags in two days, all 22 Formula 1 drivers managed to keep their cars on the track and avoid serious incidents. Track evolution was evident throughout the session, with lap times improving as the rubber laid down and drivers got a better feel for the circuit’s unique characteristics. Early indications pointed to a close battle between Mercedes and Ferrari for the top positions over the weekend. Sky Sports F1 analyst Anthony Davidson praised the drivers’ handling of the new layout, stating, "I'm really impressed with the way they approached this brand new circuit.
They made it look easy, which they often do." Beyond the front‑runners, the session produced several noteworthy performances. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, usually a dominant force, found himself in fifth place, while McLaren’s Lando Norris qualified sixth. Rookie Arvid Lindblad impressed the crowd by finishing seventh for Racing Bulls, showcasing his potential in the sport. Audi displayed solid pace, with Nico Hülkenberg in ninth and Gabriel Bortoleto in eleventh, while Red Bull’s rookie Oliver Lawson secured a respectable tenth.
The weekend schedule was packed with events across multiple categories. On Friday, September 11, the day began with a Team Bosses' Press Conference at 2:40 pm, followed by the second practice session at 3:45 pm, and concluded with Formula 3 qualifying at 5:20 pm and the F1 Show at 6:20 pm. Saturday, September 12, featured a Formula 3 sprint at 10:00 am, the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 11:30 am, an F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the build‑up to the Spanish Grand Prix qualifying at 2:15 pm. The qualifying itself started at 3:00 pm, with the final Formula 3 feature race at 4:55 pm, followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 6:00 pm.
Sunday, September 13, was the climax, beginning with the second Formula 3 feature race at 8:40 am, the F2 feature race at 10:20 am, and the main event – the Spanish Grand Prix – with the build‑up commencing at 12:30 pm. The race started at 2:00 pm, the chequered flag fell at 4:00 pm, and post‑race analysis aired at 5:00 pm.
All of these sessions were broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through the NOW platform, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. The Spanish Grand Prix at Madring promises to be a landmark event in the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, combining a fresh circuit design with intense competition among the sport’s top teams and drivers.