The first practice session at the new Madring circuit for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix saw Mercedes set the pace, with George Russell posting the fastest lap time. This marked the inaugural Formula 1® running on the circuit, drawing attention from teams and drivers as they adapted to the fresh challenge.
Russell topped the timesheets with a best lap of 1m34.077s, securing a strong start for Mercedes. His teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli followed closely in second place, just 0.286 seconds behind. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupied third and fourth positions respectively, with Hamilton narrowly trailing his teammate. Max Verstappen was fifth fastest, rounding out the top five.
Most drivers began the session on medium tyres before switching to soft compounds later in the run. Russell’s quickest time came on the softer tyres, highlighting Mercedes’ early competitiveness at Madring. The session also featured several incidents involving Lewis Hamilton, which drew complaints from drivers including Arvid Lindblad and Carlos Sainz. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda was unable to set a competitive time due to a power steering issue. Fernando Alonso’s 15th place was a notable result for Aston Martin in the opening session of the weekend.
The session was marked by a quick uptake from the field, with 20 of the 22 cars hitting the track within the first 100 seconds. Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto were among the last to join the running. Early laps were cautious as drivers familiarised themselves with the new layout, which presented fresh challenges for teams to assess car balance and tyre behaviour.
Mercedes’ strong showing in FP1 suggests the team has adapted well to the Madring circuit’s demands. Ferrari remained competitive, with Leclerc and Hamilton close behind, while Red Bull Racing’s Verstappen was just outside the top four. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad completed the top seven, showing a varied field at the front.
Hamilton’s involvement in multiple on-track incidents attracted attention, with other drivers expressing frustration over his driving during the session. However, no official penalties or resolutions were reported at this stage. Tsunoda’s technical issue prevented him from setting a representative lap time, limiting Racing Bulls’ data gathering in the session.
Overall, the first practice session at Madring provided valuable initial data for teams and drivers as they prepare for the weekend. The times set in FP1 offer an early indication of the competitive order, but with the weekend just beginning, further sessions will be crucial to understanding how the new circuit will influence the championship contenders and midfield battles.