Russell leads Mercedes 1-2 in first-ever F1 practice session at Madrid's Madring

George Russell topped the first Formula 1 session ever held at Madrid’s Madring circuit, posting a 1m34.077s to lead a Mercedes 1-2 in first practice for the Spanish Grand Prix, with team-mate Kimi Antonelli 0.286 seconds behind in second.

Twenty of the 22 cars ventured onto the brand-new track within the opening 100 seconds, with Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto among the later starters. Early flying laps were cautious, most drivers circulating in the 1m42s–1m45s bracket, though Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris immediately pushed into the 1m39s.

Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, quickly assumed control on medium tyres, progressively lowering the benchmark to a 1m34.620s. Team-mate Charles Leclerc briefly went 0.120s quicker before Hamilton snatched the top spot back — but neither Ferrari driver could replicate that pace once the field switched to soft rubber.

Russell’s third run on softs, a 1m34.145s, was enough to go fastest, and he improved further on his next attempt. Antonelli, who also ran three soft-tyre stints, slotted into second with a 1m34.363s. Hamilton ended the session as the only driver — alongside Yuki Tsunoda — not to set his best time on softs; Tsunoda was ruled out of the session with 25 minutes remaining by a power steering issue on his Racing Bulls.

Verstappen finished fifth ahead of Norris, with Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad an impressive seventh ahead of Oscar Piastri. Hulkenberg, Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon and Colapinto were grouped between 1m35.5s and 1m35.9s. Home favourite Fernando Alonso was 15th.

The session was not without controversy. Lindblad encountered the slow-moving cars of Antonelli and Hamilton in the high-speed La Monumental section while on a flying lap. “These same two guys, man!” the rookie said over team radio. “Like, I don’t know what they’re doing, they’re just stupid, right in the fast corner. It’s actually very dangerous, it’s been twice now.” Hamilton was subsequently involved in further impeding incidents involving Leclerc and Hulkenberg.

Ferrari’s subdued showing on softs left the picture at the top of the order somewhat unclear heading into second practice, with the Scuderia yet to demonstrate its full qualifying pace on the new Madrid layout.