George Russell topped FP1 at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP ahead of FP2, with Mercedes locking out the top two as Antonelli finished second. The session gave every team their first data from the new Madrid circuit, with tyre degradation a significant talking point. Track temperatures remained extremely high, sitting in the 50s, although conditions began to cool slightly as the afternoon progressed.
Early running during FP2 at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP
Two high-profile absentees disrupted the session. Lando Norris missed most of FP2 after a gearbox issue, while Fernando Alonso started late as Aston Martin repaired a clutch problem carried over from FP1.
With the track continuing to evolve, Antonelli went fastest by just 0.001 seconds over Leclerc. Russell sat third, two tenths back. Verstappen briefly went to the top before his lap time was deleted for a track limits violation at Turn 17.
Hamilton was wide at Turn 17 on multiple occasions, reporting that he was struggling with the front end of the car. Tsunoda had to abort a lap after encountering Hamilton on a slow lap, with the Briton holding his hand up in apology.
Ocon showed well during FP2 of the 2026 F1 Spanish GP, sitting inside the top ten at the halfway point. The Haas upgrades appeared to have lifted the team’s competitiveness at the new circuit. Lindblad went fourth for Racing Bulls as the session developed, with the Faenza team continuing their strong form from recent rounds.
Ferrari strong in first two thirds but struggle in the final sector
Ferrari showed encouraging pace through the first two thirds of each lap during FP2 at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP but fell away in the final sector compared to Mercedes. Leclerc matched his best time but sat six tenths down on Antonelli through the closing corners. Hamilton struggled similarly, overheating the tyres and finding the car inconsistent on the limit. Antonelli was the quickest driver through the final part of the circuit throughout the session.
Bearman brushed the wall but continued without damage as he approached Turn 17. Bortoleto also had a significant moment but kept the car out of the barrier. Sainz made a minor correction at the apex of La Monumental as drivers pushed closer and closer to the walls. Turn 17 remained a major talking point, with multiple lap times deleted there throughout the session.
Lindblad brings out the red flag during FP2 at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP
Arvid Lindblad became the first F1 driver to find the barrier at the Madring, bringing out a red flag during the 2026 F1 Spanish GP FP2 session. He confirmed over the radio that he was unharmed. The incident happened as the rear of the car stepped out as he attacked Turn 13.
The session resumed after the red flag, but reliability issues continued. Stroll limped back to the pits with an unspecified issue, while Norris managed just two laps after his team ran out of time on his gearbox change. Piastri ran deep at Turn 7 but avoided the barriers.
Alonso finally got on track but found himself baulked at La Monumental by Tsunoda, while Leclerc reported a destroyed front-left tyre late in the session.
Antonelli topped the second practice session of the 2026 F1 Spanish GP, a tenth clear of Leclerc in second. Hamilton finished third, with Piastri fourth and Russell fifth. Track limits at Turn 17 remained a talking point throughout, with multiple lap times deleted there across both sessions.
