Andrea Kimi Antonelli set the pace in the second practice session of the 2026 Formula 1® Spanish Grand Prix, held at the newly introduced Madring circuit. His fastest lap of 1:33.662 on medium and soft tyres marked the quickest time of the session, underlining his strong performance on a track known for its demanding layout.
The Madring circuit, a 5.4km hybrid of street and purpose-built sections, presented a challenging environment with limited runoff areas. This led to cautious running during the first practice and tricky conditions in the afternoon session. Antonelli’s lap time came around the halfway point of FP2, placing him ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who finished second and third respectively.
The session was interrupted by a crash involving Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad at Turn 13. Fortunately, Lindblad was unharmed, but the incident brought out a red flag as barriers required repair before the session could resume.
Other notable performances included George Russell, who secured fifth place, while Max Verstappen was sixth. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri managed seventh despite the team facing difficulties, including Lando Norris’s early transmission issue that necessitated a gearbox change after just two laps. Yuki Tsunoda, returning to Racing Bulls for this race, finished eighth.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso had quieter sessions, finishing 16th and 17th respectively. Alonso’s start to FP2 was delayed due to a clutch repair. Track limits proved challenging throughout the session, particularly at Turn 17, where several drivers went wide.
The FP2 session highlighted the demanding nature of the Madring circuit, with teams and drivers continuing to adapt to its unique combination of street and permanent track features. Antonelli’s pace demonstrated his ability to handle the tricky conditions, setting a benchmark for the rest of the weekend.