F1 2026 Spanish Grand Prix FP1 Results: George Russell tops first-ever Madring practice

George Russell set the benchmark in opening practice for the 2026 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix as drivers got to grips with Madrid’s new Madring circuit.

Russell’s best lap of 1:34.077 put him 0.286 seconds clear of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, while Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton completed the top four in a session shaped by rapidly improving track conditions and traffic.

Drivers faced a completely new challenge as teams had no recent race data from the 5.4-kilometre, 22-turn circuit, only relying on limited simulator preparation to guide their opening set-up decisions.

Audi’s Nico Hülkenberg, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto remained in their garage, while the rest of the field took to the track. Cadillac called back Sergio Pérez for a steering-wheel change at the end of his installation lap.

The initial running was understandably cautious with Haas’ Esteban Ocon posting a 1:44.336 benchmark, before Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris established stronger laps in the 1:39s.

Charles Leclerc later lowered the benchmark to 1:38.504 but Ferrari teammate Hamilton responded with a 1:35.563 then improved to 1:34.803.

The first notable driving errors came as the field pushed closer to the limit. Antonelli ran wide at Turn 13, while both Audi drivers, Hülkenberg and Bortoleto, cut the Turn 5 chicane.

As the session approached halfway, Leclerc briefly moved ahead by 0.120s, but Hamilton reclaimed the top spot with a 1:34.620. Antonelli was third, half a second behind the Ferraris, followed by Russell 0.845s adrift in the second Mercedes.

Russell finally unlocked more pace after switching to the soft tyres with 15 minutes to go, setting a 1:34.145 to move ahead of the Ferraris. The British driver then followed up with a 1:34.077 that ultimately stood as the first official Formula 1 Madring practice benchmark.

Antonelli completed a Mercedes 1-2, followed by Leclerc whose final run was affected by a moment at Turn 17. Hamilton ended the session fourth, just 0.084s behind Leclerc, but was accused of impeding on three occasions.

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F1 2026 Spanish Grand Prix FP1 Results