Kimi Antonelli, who is currently leading the championship, posted the quickest time in the final practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the brand‑new Madring circuit in Madrid. The session, however, was marred by a dramatic incident involving seven‑time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who lost valuable track time after a crash that forced him to abandon his lap and limp back to the pits. Only twenty minutes into the practice, Hamilton appeared to be on a blistering lap that could have placed him near the top of the timesheets.
As he approached the final corner, he mis‑judged his braking point, ran wide and collided head‑on with the safety barriers. The impact was relatively low‑speed, but it was enough to dislodge the front wing of his Mercedes. The wing folded under the right‑hand front tyre, creating a dangerous situation. Ferrari’s race engineers immediately advised Hamilton to bring the car to a stop, but the veteran driver attempted to nurse the car back toward the pit lane so he would not lose the rhythm he needed for the upcoming qualifying session scheduled for 3 p.m.
(the build‑up began at 2:15 p.m.). While Hamilton managed to reverse out of the barrier, the damaged wing continued to snag on the tyre, and the car eventually stalled in the middle sector of the track. Sky Sports F1 commentator Anthony Davidson criticised Hamilton’s decision, noting that a driver—especially a young one watching the broadcast—should not continue to drive a car with a compromised front wing.
"Any young driver that is watching this right now, you don't do that. You just don't do that," Davidson said.
He reminded viewers that the regulations exist for a reason, and a front wing that slides under the car could lift the front wheels, potentially endangering marshals and other competitors. The crash triggered a red‑flag period lasting 45 minutes while track officials repaired the barrier and cleared debris. The session clock was stopped with fifteen minutes remaining, giving the drivers a chance to complete additional flying laps once the session resumed on the freshly repaired section of the circuit. When the session restarted, Antonelli seized the opportunity and posted a remarkable lap of 1:32.797, edging out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by a narrow 0.166 seconds.
His performance extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 66 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, underscoring his growing reputation as a future star of the sport. McLaren also showed strong form, with Oscar Piastri recording the third‑fastest time and Lando Norris slotting in fourth despite having missed almost all of the second practice session on Friday due to technical issues.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen managed a respectable fifth‑place lap, while Russell, who had been trailing Antonelli in the standings, recorded the sixth‑fastest time. The competitive spread suggested that pole position could be claimed by any of the front‑running teams, especially as the track continued to evolve and grip levels improved lap after lap. The session also highlighted the challenges of the high‑speed Turn 11 at Madring.
Haas rookie Oliver Bearman suffered a heavy crash at this corner, demonstrating how unforgiving the layout can be for drivers still finding their rhythm. The incident left Haas scrambling to repair the car in time for qualifying, adding another layer of intrigue to the weekend’s narrative.
Looking ahead, the schedule for the weekend is packed with action. On Saturday, September 12, the qualifying build‑up begins at 2:15 p.m., followed by the official qualifying session at 3 p.m. The day will also feature the Formula 3 Feature Race 1 at 4:55 p.m. and Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 6 p.m.
Sunday, September 13, promises a full programme: the second Formula 3 Feature Race at 8:40 a.m., the Formula 2 Feature Race at 10:20 a.m., and the Grand Prix itself, with the build‑up starting at 12:30 p.m. and the race kicking off at 2 p.m. (the build‑up begins at 12:30 p.m.).
The chequered flag is expected at 4 p.m., followed by post‑race analysis and Ted’s Notebook at 5 p.m. All of this will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with the option to stream via NOW without a long‑term contract. In summary, Antonelli’s dominant performance in the final practice set the tone for a thrilling qualifying session, while Hamilton’s crash served as a stark reminder of the fine line between pushing the limits and preserving the car for the crucial moments ahead. The evolving grip on the new Madring circuit, combined with the varied fortunes of the teams—from McLaren’s resurgence to Haas’s repair battle—promises an exciting Spanish Grand Prix weekend for fans worldwide.