George Russell set the pace in the opening practice session at the brand-new Madrín circuit, edging out his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli by just 0.286 seconds. After a disappointing weekend at Monza where Antonelli, the current championship leader, finished ahead of him, Russell was eager to bounce back, and his performance in the Spanish Grand Prix weekend’s first free‑practice indicated he was on the right track. The early part of the session saw the Ferraris quickly find their rhythm, posting lap times that were only about half a second slower than the best Mercedes times, despite the Italians being on the medium compound tyres while the Mercedes drivers were using the softer, more grippy rubber. This suggested that Ferrari’s new package could be very competitive on the high‑speed, banked layout of Madrín.
Charles Leclerc, who is still dealing with blurred vision after his dramatic crash at Monza, managed to improve his time on the soft tyres and climbed to third place by the end of the hour. However, Lewis Hamilton’s quickest lap remained on the medium tyres, indicating that the seven‑time world champion may have been holding back or simply found the medium compound more suitable for the circuit’s long straights. Hamilton’s pace was not the only talking point. Several drivers, including Antonelli, accused him of obstructing the track during the practice hour.
The narrow confines of the new circuit, especially the high‑speed, banked Turn 12, made traffic a significant issue. Arvid Lindblad was particularly vocal, labeling Hamilton and Antonelli "stupid" for blocking the racing line at Turn 12. The criticism was echoed by Leclerc, Nico Hülkenberg from Audi, and Williams’ Carlos Sainz, all of whom were forced to abandon their flying laps when Hamilton, apparently unaware of their approach, cut across the track. Sainz’s radio transmission captured his frustration perfectly: "Lewis letting by in the middle of Turn 12.
It's always the same, it's so dangerous!" The incident highlighted the challenges drivers face on a circuit that is still being fine‑tuned for overtaking and safe racing lines. Beyond the on‑track drama, the session featured a flurry of headlines and side stories.
Reports surfaced that Hamilton believes there is "no stopping" Antonelli, as the young Ferrari driver appears to be solidifying his bid for the 2026 title. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris called for revisions to the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) regulations after losing a potential win to Antonelli, and team principals expressed optimism that the track’s design could be tweaked to promote more overtaking opportunities.
Veteran commentator Martin Brundle offered his verdict on the debut of Madrín, suggesting that while the circuit provides spectacular visuals, certain areas—particularly the high‑speed banking—might need adjustments before the 2027 season. He also weighed in on the ongoing debate around VSC rules, emphasizing the need for clearer guidelines to avoid incidents like the one involving Hamilton. The Spanish Grand Prix itself turned out to be a landmark event, with Antonelli taking the victory in the first F1 race held at Madrín, extending his championship lead after Norris’s misfortune.
The race was broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with a convenient streaming option via NOW that allows viewers to watch without a long‑term contract. Throughout the practice session, track evolution was evident. As more rubber was laid down, lap times dropped steadily, indicating that both Mercedes and Ferrari were adapting quickly to the novel layout. Sky Sports F1 analyst Anthony Davidson praised the drivers’ ability to make the circuit look effortless, noting that they “made it look easy really – which they often do.” Other notable performances included Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who qualified fifth, and McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished sixth.
Rookie Arvid Lindblad impressed in the Racing Bulls car, securing seventh place, while Audi’s Nico Hülkenberg posted a solid ninth. Gabriel Bortoleto, also driving for Audi, was 11th, and Red Bull’s Lawson rounded out the top ten in tenth place.
The weekend schedule was packed with events across multiple categories. On Friday, September 11, the day began with the Team Bosses' Press Conference at 2:40 pm, followed by the second practice session at 3:45 pm, an F3 qualifying session at 5:20 pm, and the F1 Show at 6:20 pm. Saturday, September 12, featured an F3 sprint at 10:00 am, the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 11:00 am (starting at 11:30 am), an F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the build‑up to qualifying at 2:15 pm, with the actual Spanish Grand Prix qualifying taking place at 3:00 pm.
The day concluded with the F3 Feature Race 1 at 4:55 pm, followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 6:00 pm. Sunday, September 13, opened with the second F3 Feature Race at 8:40 am, the F2 Feature Race at 10:20 am, and the final build‑up to the Grand Prix at 12:30 pm.
The Spanish Grand Prix itself started at 2:00 pm, with the chequered flag waving at 4:00 pm, and post‑race reactions and analysis continuing through the afternoon. All qualifying sessions were also available on Sky Sports Main Event. Overall, the first practice at Madrín demonstrated that the new circuit can deliver fast, competitive racing while also exposing areas that need refinement—particularly in managing traffic and ensuring safe overtaking zones.
The blend of strong performances from both Mercedes and Ferrari, combined with the occasional on‑track incident, set the stage for an exciting inaugural Spanish Grand Prix and hinted at a thrilling remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season.