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 finish at Monza where Antonelli, the current championship leader, had bested him, Russell was eager to bounce back, and he delivered a strong performance that set a positive tone for the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
The early stages of the session saw Ferrari making a rapid start, with their cars only about half a second slower than the leading times despite running on the medium‑compound tyres, whereas Mercedes were on the softer, faster‑grip compounds. This indicated that the Italian team had quickly found a rhythm on the novel layout, challenging the usual dominance of the British squad. Charles Leclerc, who is still recovering from a serious crash at Monza that left him with blurred vision, managed to improve his lap on the soft tyres and secured third place on the board.
However, Lewis Hamilton’s best time remained set on the medium tyres, suggesting that his car was more comfortable on a longer‑lasting compound during the practice run. Hamilton attracted criticism from at least four of his rivals for allegedly impeding other drivers during the hour‑long practice.
The tight confines of the Madring track, especially the high‑speed, banked Turn 12, made traffic management a critical issue. Arvid Lindblad was the first to label Hamilton and Antonelli "stupid" for blocking the racing line at Turn 12, a complaint later echoed by Leclerc, Nico Hülkenberg of Audi, and Williams driver Carlos Sainz, all of whom were forced to abandon their flying laps when the seven‑time world champion failed to yield. Sainz’s radio transmission captured his frustration: "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 combines high‑speed banking with narrow sections, where a single misjudgement can disrupt an entire session.
Beyond the on‑track action, the day was peppered with a series of headlines and commentary. Hamilton was quoted as saying there was "no stopping" Antonelli, implying that the young Ferrari driver’s momentum could prove decisive in the 2026 title fight.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris called for revisions to the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) regulations after a recent loss to Antonelli, arguing that the current system unfairly penalises drivers who are caught out by sudden safety car deployments. Team principals and former drivers also weighed in on the new venue.
Martin Brundle offered a balanced verdict on Madring’s F1 debut, noting areas that could be refined for the 2027 season, while many drivers expressed optimism that the circuit’s design would eventually promote more overtaking opportunities. Sky Sports F1 analyst Anthony Davidson praised the drivers’ adaptability, stating, "I'm really impressed with the way they approached this brand‑new circuit.
They made it look easy, which they often do." The session also featured a strong showing from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who posted the fifth‑fastest time, followed closely by McLaren’s Lando Norris. Rookie Arvid Lindblad impressed in seventh place for Racing Bulls, demonstrating that the new track can provide a platform for emerging talent to shine. Audi’s Nico Hülkenberg secured ninth, with teammate Gabriel Bortoleto in eleventh, while Red Bull’s rookie Oliver Lawson placed tenth, underscoring the depth of competition across the grid.
Practice was not without its challenges. A recent Formula 3 test at the same venue had required 19 red flags over two days, raising concerns about potential disruptions for the senior series. However, all 22 F1 drivers managed to stay clear of the barriers, and the track’s evolution was evident throughout the hour, with lap times consistently improving as the rubber laid down.
Looking ahead, the weekend schedule is packed with action. On Friday, the team bosses' press conference will kick off at 2:40 pm, followed by the second practice session at 3:45 pm, the F3 qualifying at 5:20 pm, and the F1 Show at 6:20 pm. Saturday brings the F3 sprint at 10:00 am, the third practice session at 11:30 am, the F2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the main qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix at 3:00 pm, with the F3 feature race later that afternoon. Sunday’s program includes the F3 feature race, the F2 feature race, a build‑up to the Grand Prix, and the race itself, which is slated to start at 2:00 pm, followed by post‑race analysis.
The Spanish Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW – a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the best video player experience, ensuring smooth playback of the high‑definition coverage.
In summary, the first practice at Madring highlighted a closely contested battle between Mercedes and Ferrari, with both teams showing the pace to fight for podium positions. While Hamilton’s impeding incident sparked debate about track etiquette, the overall atmosphere was one of excitement as drivers adapted to the novel circuit layout. As the weekend progresses, the focus will shift to qualifying and the race, where the lessons learned in practice will be put to the ultimate test.