George Russell set the pace in the first practice session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s new Madring circuit, with Mercedes dominating the session. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton faced criticism for impeding multiple drivers, including Carlos Sainz and Arvid Lindblad, who called him “stupid” over team radio.
George Russell secured the fastest time in Free Practice 1 for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s newly opened Madring circuit, with the Mercedes driver posting a 1m34.077s lap. His teammate Kimi Antonelli followed closely in second, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggled to match the Mercedes pace, finishing third and fourth, respectively. The session, held on September 11, 2026, marked the debut of the semi-urban circuit, which had been tested a month earlier by Ferrari during a “filming day.”
Russell’s Dominance and the Mercedes 1-2
Russell’s performance underscored Mercedes’ strength on the Madring, where the team secured a 1-2 finish with Antonelli. The duo’s soft tyre runs outpaced Ferrari’s medium tyre efforts, with Russell’s final time of 1m34.077s beating Antonelli’s 1m34.363s by 0.286s. Ferrari’s Leclerc, who had initially led the session, fell to third with a 1m34.536s, while Hamilton, despite setting a 1m34.620s on mediums, was 0.543s behind Russell. The session saw minimal red flags, with only Yuki Tsunoda’s power steering failure and a brief incident involving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc disrupting the flow.
I’m really impressed with the way they approached this brand new circuit,
said Sky Sports F1 analyst Anthony Davidson, highlighting Mercedes’ composure. The team’s strategy of deploying soft tyres early allowed them to exploit the track’s evolving grip, while Ferrari’s reliance on mediums left them 0.459s off the pace. The session also revealed the Madring’s high-speed challenges, with drivers like Arvid Lindblad complaining about traffic and dangerous overtaking attempts.
Incidents and Criticisms from the Track
The session was not without controversy, as Lewis Hamilton drew sharp criticism for impeding multiple drivers. Arvid Lindblad, the Racing Bulls rookie, vented over team radio: These same two guys, man! Like, I don’t know what they’re doing, they’re just stupid, right in the fast corner! It’s actually very dangerous, it’s been twice now.
Lindblad’s frustration stemmed from Hamilton and Antonelli blocking his attempts to overtake at La Monumental, a high-speed banked turn.
Carlos Sainz of Williams also voiced concerns, complaining that Hamilton let him by in the middle of Turn 12. It’s always the same, it’s so dangerous!
Sainz’s criticism echoed Lindblad’s, as both drivers highlighted the risks of Hamilton’s defensive driving. Hamilton, however, remained unapologetic, with his team-mate Leclerc noting that the seven-time world champion’s “zero effort” to avoid blocking rivals was a recurring issue. The incidents underscored the challenges of navigating the Madring’s tight corners and high-speed sections.
Despite the friction, Hamilton’s performance was not entirely lackluster. He initially set a 1m36.066s early in the session, then improved to 1m34.620s, the fastest on mediums. However, his inability to adapt to soft tyres—his best effort on the compound was 0.109s slower than Russell’s—highlighted Ferrari’s struggles. The Scuderia’s decision to focus on mediums early in the session left them trailing Mercedes, who capitalized on the track’s evolving grip.
Track Evolution and Driver Reactions
Drivers also noted the circuit’s technical demands, with Turn 17 proving particularly challenging. Both Leclerc and Hamilton went wide there, with Leclerc narrowly improving on his personal best. Hamilton’s struggles with the track’s layout were compounded by a late incident where he blocked Sainz, leading to the Spanish driver’s complaint. It takes zero effort to be two metres more left. Zero effort!
Sainz said over radio, emphasizing the dangers of Hamilton’s positioning.
Despite the issues, the session proceeded relatively smoothly, with only one red flag for Tsunoda’s power steering failure. The lack of major incidents was a relief for organizers, who had worried about the track’s safety following 19 red flags during a Formula 3 test in August. The Madring’s layout, with its banked turns and narrow sections, remains a test of driver skill and team strategy, with Mercedes and Ferrari poised to battle for supremacy in the coming sessions.
What’s Next for the Spanish GP?
The session’s results suggest Mercedes and Ferrari will be the main contenders for the Spanish Grand Prix, with Red Bull and McLaren trailing. Max Verstappen finished fifth, 0.626s behind Russell, while Lando Norris, despite a late crash, ended sixth. The session also highlighted the potential of the Audi and Racing Bulls teams, with Nico Hulkenberg and Liam Lawson finishing ninth and 10th, respectively.
As the weekend progresses, the focus will shift to how teams adapt to the Madring’s evolving grip and traffic management. Hamilton’s defensive driving will likely remain a topic of discussion, with rivals eager to challenge his approach. For Mercedes, the 1-2 finish is a strong start, but Ferrari’s ability to close the gap on soft tyres could prove decisive. With the race set for Sunday, the Madring’s unique challenges will test both drivers and teams in ways few circuits can.
