Kimi Antonelli, who currently tops the world championship leaderboard, posted the fastest lap on the opening day of Formula 1 action at the brand‑new Madrid circuit, known as the Madring. The session highlighted the circuit’s extreme difficulty when British newcomer Arvid Lindblad suffered a heavy crash, marking his first accident in an F1 car. After falling behind his Mercedes teammate George Russell in the initial practice outing, Antonelli answered with a blistering 1:33.662 in the second practice session. That time nudged him ahead of the Ferrari pair, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, by just over a tenth of a second, underlining his rapid adaptation to the untested layout.
Antonelli’s confidence has been soaring since his sensational triumph at the Italian Grand Prix a week earlier, where he vaulted from 19th on the grid to claim victory on home soil. The win propelled him to a 66‑point cushion over Russell with ten races still to contest in the 2026 championship, reinforcing his status as a serious title contender. Friday’s practice data suggested a tight battle between Mercedes and Ferrari, promising a thrilling qualifying showdown on Saturday.
The excitement in Madrid is palpable, as Formula 1 returns to the Spanish capital for the first time since 1981, and fans are eager to see how the new track will shape the competition. Many observers had warned that the Madring’s narrow, twisty sections and unforgiving run‑off areas would generate a high number of red‑flag interruptions throughout the weekend. Indeed, the support series – Formula 2 and Formula 3 – experienced several stoppages on Friday, but the F1 field managed to avoid any major incidents during the first practice session. The calm was broken in the latter half of Practice Two when 19‑year‑old Lindblad, who had been running impressively in fourth place, pushed a little too hard on his next flying lap.
At the fast, downhill Turn 13 he lost grip, spun and collided with the barrier at considerable speed. The crash forced a brief session halt and added to the growing list of mishaps on the new circuit. Lindblad later explained his mistake: "The track is not easy.
We’re all trying to find the limits, and it’s new for everyone. I made a small error and over‑cooked Turn 13. It’s a shame, and I apologise to the mechanics and the team because it creates extra work for them tonight.
But overall it’s been a good day. We are very quick – I was running P4 on merit and only two‑tenths off the lead, which is strong. The team has a lot of confidence going into tomorrow, and I’m focused on resetting, blocking it out and taking all the positive lessons." A brief ten‑minute pause later, the final runs of the session confirmed Antonelli’s position at the top of the timesheet. Russell, who had struggled to fine‑tune his car’s setup, managed to finish fifth, just ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
"It was fun to drive the track for the first time," Russell said after the session. "It’s always a great experience tackling a brand‑new circuit.
FP1 was a strong session. In FP2 we made some setup changes that didn’t work as well, so we’ll probably revert to the earlier settings. So far, so good." Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, was unable to set a time after a gearbox failure forced him out after only two laps.
McLaren had entered the weekend with high expectations, given Norris’s back‑to‑back victories earlier in the season, but the early setback placed the Briton at a disadvantage heading into Saturday’s qualifying. The weekend schedule is packed with action: on Saturday, September 12, the F3 sprint kicks off at 10 am, followed by Practice 3 for the Grand Prix at 11:30 am, an F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the crucial qualifying session at 3 pm.
The day concludes with the F3 feature race at 4:55 pm and a post‑qualifying analysis segment. Sunday, September 13, sees the F3 feature race at 8:40 am, the F2 feature race at 10:20 am, and the main Grand Prix event beginning at 2 pm, with pre‑race build‑up starting at 12:30 pm. The race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and streamed via NOW, offering a contract‑free viewing option.
The Madring’s debut has already sparked discussion among drivers, team principals and pundits about possible layout tweaks to improve overtaking opportunities and safety. Martin Brundle, a veteran commentator, has suggested that certain corners could be re‑profiled for the 2027 season, while others argue that the current configuration provides a unique challenge that should be preserved.
In the broader championship context, Antonelli’s rapid rise and dominant performance at the Spanish Grand Prix have intensified speculation about his future with Ferrari. Some analysts believe his momentum could force the Scuderia to reconsider their driver lineup for 2027, potentially sidelining long‑time contenders.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris has publicly called for revisions to the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) regulations after a recent incident where he lost a potential win to Antonelli under VSC conditions. The debate highlights the ongoing evolution of race‑control procedures in a sport that constantly seeks to balance safety with competitive fairness. Overall, Friday’s practice sessions have set the stage for an exhilarating weekend in Madrid. The combination of a brand‑new circuit, a rising star in Antonelli, and the ever‑present threat of accidents on the tight layout promises plenty of drama for fans and a test of skill for teams as they fine‑tune their cars for the upcoming qualifying and race.
The Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring is shaping up to be a landmark event in the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.