Friday 11 September 2026 17:27, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Arvid Lindblad brought out the first red flag at the Madring track after this heavy crash on turn 13 during second practice After being outpaced by his Mercedes team-mate George Russell in the day’s first session, Antonelli produced a quicker time of 1:33.662 in Practice Two to edge out Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton by little more than a tenth of a second. The timesheet was further evidence of Antonelli’s sky-high confidence, which was elevated by a stunning victory at the Italian Grand Prix last weekend as he won his home race from 19th on the grid to move 66 points clear of Russell at the top of the standings with 10 rounds of the 2026 season remaining. Spanish GP: Schedule and how to watch new Madrid raceF1 2026 standings | F1 2026 calendar | F1 Gossip ColumnDownload the Sky Sports app for expert analysis, best video & more📱Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream F1 with no contract 📺On the evidence of Friday’s sessions, Mercedes and Ferrari are closely matched and could deliver an exciting pole contest in qualifying on Saturday, with huge excitement in the Spanish capital as F1 returns to the city for the first time since 1981.Many had predicted a high number of red flags on Friday – and throughout the rest of the weekend – due to the tight and punishing nature of a circuit that the field have never raced at before.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player F2’s Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak walks away after his car went up in flames! While there were several crashes and red flags in Friday’s F2 and F3 sessions, the F1 drivers showed their excellence to avoid any major incidents in first practice, but it was Lindblad who came unstuck just beyond the halfway point of Practice Two. The 19-year-old was driving impressively and had just elevated himself to fourth when he pushed too hard on his next flying lap, losing control at Turn 13 and spinning into the barrier at high speed. More from Spanish Gp 2026 F1 Spanish GP LIVE: Friday Practice updates, results, stream, highlights from Formula 1 race at new Madring circuit in Madrid Spanish GP: George Russell tops first practice at new Madring as Lewis Hamilton frustrates other drivers 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 A delay of just over 10 minutes put an end to the qualifying simulations that had been taking place at that stage, securing Antonelli’s position at the top of the timesheet.Russell was fifth after appearing to struggle to optimise his setup, but still managed to edge out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Several drivers were left frustrated by Lewis Hamilton for getting in the way during first practice of the Spanish Grand Prix Reigning world champion Lando Norris was unable to set a time after a gearbox failure took him out of the session after just two laps.McLaren were expected to be competitive in Madrid given Norris had claimed back-to-back victories before Antonelli’s win in Monza, but there was little evidence of that on Friday.While Norris has generally been quicker than Piastri recently, losing an entire session at a new circuit will put the Brit on the back foot going into Saturday.More to follow…Sky Sports F1’s Spanish GP live schedule Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sky Sports Anthony Davidson talks you through the new Madrid F1 track 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 NotebookSunday 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 EventFormula 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. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
