Kimi Antonelli, who currently heads the World Championship standings, posted the fastest lap on the opening day of Formula 1 action at the brand‑new Madrid circuit, often referred to as the Madring. The circuit’s formidable layout was underscored by a dramatic first‑time crash involving British newcomer Arvid Lindblad, highlighting just how unforgiving the track can be. In the initial practice session, Antonelli was out‑paced by his Mercedes teammate George Russell, but he quickly turned the tables in Practice Two.
The Italian prodigy set a blistering lap of 1:33.662, edging out the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and the veteran Lewis Hamilton by just over a tenth of a second. That performance reinforced the confidence he displayed after his sensational win at the Italian Grand Prix, where he surged from 19th on the grid to claim victory on home soil. The win propelled him 66 points clear of Russell with ten races still to run in the 2026 season.
The early Friday sessions suggested a tight battle between Mercedes and Ferrari, hinting at a potentially thrilling qualifying showdown on Saturday. The excitement in Madrid was palpable, as Formula 1 returned to the Spanish capital for the first time since 1981. Organisers and fans alike anticipated a high number of red‑flag interruptions because the track’s tight corners and abrasive surface were unknown to all drivers. While the supporting Formula 2 and Formula 3 categories experienced several incidents and red flags, the F1 field managed to avoid any major mishaps during the first practice stint.
The drama unfolded in Practice Two when the 19‑year‑old Lindblad, who had been running impressively in fourth place, pushed a little too hard on his next flying lap. At the demanding Turn 13 he lost control, spun, and collided with the barrier at high speed.
The crash forced a brief stoppage and added extra work for his crew. Lindblad later reflected on the incident, saying, "It's not an easy track.
We are all pushing to find the limits. It's new for all of us. I just made a mistake and overdid it in Turn 13.
A shame. I apologise to the mechanics and the team – it's extra work for them tonight.
But looking at the big picture, it's been a good day. We are very fast. I was running P4 on merit and was only two tenths from P1, which is really strong.
A lot of confidence in the team going into tomorrow. I'm just focused on resetting, blocking it out and taking all the good learnings." After Lindblad's crash, the session resumed for just over ten minutes before another red flag halted the final qualifying simulations. When the dust settled, Antonelli remained atop the timesheet, confirming his status as the driver to beat on the new circuit.
Russell, who had struggled to find the perfect setup, managed to finish the session in fifth place, narrowly beating Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. He commented, "It was fun to drive the track for the first time. It's always a great experience driving a new circuit.
FP1 was a strong session. In FP2 we made some setup changes which weren't quite as good, so we will probably revert back on that. So far so good." Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, suffered a gearbox failure after only two laps, preventing him from setting a competitive time. McLaren had entered the weekend with high expectations, especially after Norris’s back‑to‑back victories earlier in the season, but the early setback left the team at a disadvantage heading into Saturday’s qualifying.
The weekend schedule was packed: Friday featured the first two practice sessions, while Saturday offered a third practice, the qualifying session, and a series of support races from F2 and F3. Sunday’s agenda included the F3 and F2 feature races followed by the main Grand Prix, with live coverage on Sky Sports F1 and streaming options via NOW. Overall, the opening day painted a vivid picture of the Madring’s character – a circuit that rewards precision, punishes excess speed, and can quickly turn a promising lap into a costly mistake.
Antonelli’s pace, Russell’s steady progress, and Lindblad’s unfortunate crash all set the stage for an intriguing battle for pole position and, ultimately, the race win. The combination of a new track layout, the high stakes of the 2026 championship, and the return of Formula 1 to Madrid after more than four decades promises an exciting weekend for teams, drivers, and fans alike.