George Russell led Kimi Antonelli in a Mercedes one-two at the new Madring as Lewis Hamilton finished fourth but was called out by several drivers; watch Friday’s second practice session for the Spanish GP at 4pm, live on Sky Sports F1; Qualifying is at 3pm on Saturday Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player George Russell was fastest from Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli in the first practice session at the new Madring circuit in Madrid. Russell is looking to hit back after losing out to championship leader Antonelli last Sunday at Monza and started the Spanish Grand Prix weekend perfectly as he outpaced Antonelli by 0.286s. But Ferrari were quick early on and were only half a second off the best times on the medium tyres, compared to the Mercedes on the softs. Charles Leclerc, who is fit enough to race despite suffering from blurred vision in the aftermath of his huge Monza crash, eventually improved on the softs to third but Lewis Hamilton’s best time remained on the mediums.
Hamilton was called out by at least four drivers for impeding across the practice hour as the tight confines of the Madring meant traffic was an issue. Arvid Lindblad first called Hamilton and Antonelli “stupid” for blocking the track at the high-speed banked Turn 12 before Leclerc, Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg and Williams’ Carlos Sainz all had to abandon flying laps due to the seven-time world champion not being aware of them coming. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sainz said on the radio of his incident: “Lewis letting by in the middle of Turn 12. It’s always the same, it’s so dangerous!
F1 Spanish GP LIVE: Friday Practice updates, results, stream, highlights from Formula 1 race at new Madring circuit in Madrid Spanish GP: Max Verstappen says new Madring F1 circuit ‘probably a car killer’ as drivers anticipate disruptive weekend George Russell insists he ‘has an answer’ to Kimi Antonelli’s pace amid his Mercedes team-mate’s dominance in title battle Spanish GP: What to expect from new Madring track in Madrid with Carlos Sainz predicting safety cars and red flags Charles Leclerc takes blame for Lewis Hamilton clash at Monza after pair hold talks ahead of Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid Isack Hadjar to miss Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid due to wrist injury as Liam Lawson continues at Red Bull “Like it takes zero effort to be two metres more left. Zero effort!” There were concerns about plenty of disruption in practice after 19 red flags were required in a two-day Formula 3 test last month, but all 22 F1 drivers kept it out of the barriers. Track evolution was high throughout the session but it already looks like Mercedes and Ferrari are going to contend for top spot this weekend. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player “I’m really impressed with the way they approached this brand new circuit,” said Sky Sports F1’s Anthony Davidson.
“They made it look easy really – which they often do.” Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was fifth ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, while rookie Lindblad impressed in seventh for Racing Bulls. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Friday September 112.40pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference3.45pm: Spanish Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)5.20pm: F3 Qualifying6.20pm: The F1 Show Saturday September 1210am: F3 Sprint11am: Spanish Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)1.10pm: F2 Sprint2.15pm: Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying build-up3pm: SPANISH GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*4.55pm: F3 Feature Race 16pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook Sunday September 138.40am: F3 Feature Race 210.20am: F2 Feature Race12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Spanish GP build-up2pm: THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX4pm: Chequered Flag: Spanish GP reaction5pm: Ted’s Notebook *also on Sky Sports Main Event Formula 1 is in Madrid for the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit with Sunday’s race at 2pm (build-up from 12.30pm), live on Sky Sports F1.
