FP1 at the new Madring circuit has been completed ahead of the 2026 F1 Spanish GP on Sunday, view the full session report here.
On Thursday, drivers talked in the press conference and print media sessions about how on the limit this track is regarding the walls and safety. The F3 and F2 Free Practice sessions saw multiple crashes, with the car of Inthraphuvasak catching fire. Fortunately, the Thai could get out quickly.
2026 F1 Spanish GP FP1 is underway
Haas driver Esteban Ocon set the first time of the session on a 1:44.336. That time was soon obliterated as Max Verstappen did a 1:39.257 to be 0.174s faster than Hamilton. Norris, Lindblad and Lawson completed the top 5 early doors.
On his first proper push, Kimi Antonelli put in a 1:37.294, 0.7s clear of the Dutchman. Lewis Hamilton quickly responded, putting in three purple sectors to go P1 by 1.228s as he did a 1:36.066.
Every driver was on mediums, aside from Bortoleto on hards.
Once more the seven-time World Champion was rapid as three purple sectors saw him post a 1:35.563, putting him over a second clear of Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc and Lawson. The Monegasque then made a big step on this next attempt, ending up 0.105s behind his stablemate.
Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Lawson, Antonelli, Piastri, Lindblad, Russell and Tsunoda was the top 10 after 15 minutes.
Down at the turn 5 chicane, both Audis had to cut it as the car did not comply with the kerbs. At turn 13, Nico Hülkenberg and championship leader Kimi Antonelli both ran deep but managed to avoid the wall which is not far away on the exit.
Two more purple sectors from car #44 meant Hamilton extended his gap. A 1:34.803 put him 0.345s in front of Antonelli as the Italian finally put a strong lap together.
After topping the times for over 15 minutes, Hamilton dropped to P2 as Charles Leclerc went purple in sectors 1 and 2, clocking a 1:34.683 to be fastest by 0.120s. Antonelli was the only driver within a second of the Ferraris. However, the 106-time race winner fought back to clock a 1:34.620 and get back into 1st.
At La Monumental, Arvid Lindblad was tackling the banked corner when he came across Antonelli and Hamilton going slowly at the end of it. Unsurprisingly, he was annoyed.
Soft tyres appear
The first driver on soft tyres was Liam Lawson and he went P4, 1.008s away from Charles Leclerc.
Down at turn 17, Yuki Tsunoda locked up and went deep, while Charles Leclerc came across a slow Lewis Hamilton and asked the team to be sharper on that.
Kimi Antonelli improved his time but stayed P3, 0.245s away from Hamilton. Both Mercedes drivers then got closer but still feel short. The Italian was purple in sector 2, finishing up 0.063s away from P1. George Russell was quickest in the final sector, going within 0.109s of top spot.
On his next attempt, two greens and a purple final sector once more saw George Russell pump in a 1:34.145 go to P1 by a full 0.475s. He went faster still logging a 1:34.077 to extend his advantage.
A lock-up at turn 17 for Charles Leclerc sent him straight on but avoided the wall, just. Lewis Hamilton also had a lock-up but made the corner, although he ran deeper than what was ideal. Sergio Pérez did something similar later in the session.
It was an early end to the session for Yuki Tsunoda as he had power steering issues. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri boxed after complaining about something smashing against his feet.
Into turn 8, Fernando Alonso clipped the inside wall as he was coming out of the left-hander. He avoided any damage.
There was more dangerous moments in turn 12 as Ocon (on Hamilton) and Hamilton (on Sainz) cruised on or near the racing line at La Monumental. The seven-time World Champion also savagely blocked Nico Hülkenberg in the final turn.
Mercedes end up fastest in Spanish GP FP1
As Ferrari failed to make any significant step on the red sidewall tyres, George Russell was quickest on a 1:34.077, 0.286s ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. Leclerc and Hamilton followed in P3 and P4 as the Monegaque found a couple of tenths on the softs versus his medium time.
Verstappen, Norris, Lindblad, Piastri, Hülkenberg and Lawson completed the top 10 in FP1 at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP.
