F1 LIVE | Russell leads Antonelli - follow FP1 from the Spanish GP here!

Photo: Race Pictures
Updated:
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Formula 1 returns for Round 14 of the 2026 season as the Spanish GP takes centre stage. Follow GPblog's live coverage of the opening practice session from the all-new Madring right here.
Following Kimi Antonelli’s sensational win at the Italian GP from P19 on the grid, the young Mercedes driver now leads the Drivers’ standings by 66 points coming to Madrid. The 20-year-old finds himself 66 points ahead of his teammate George Russell, and a further 10 points ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Mercedes’ 1-2 result in Monza means the Silver Arrows have tightened their grip on the Constructors’ too - they lead Ferrari by 122 points in the standings. A lot of eyes will be on the Scuderia this weekend after the Lap 1 scrap between Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Monza that saw the former onto the gravel at Turn 2, and calling for Mercedes-like rules of engagement. Leclerc will also be hoping to bounce back from his huge Lap 2 crash at Parabolica last weekend.
At Madrid, however, the drivers face a daunting new task. The Madring is a semi-street circuit featuring tight, blind corners, close proximity to the walls, and huge elevation changes - including the 24% banked gradient at La Monumental, the track’s standout corner. It comes as no surprise that multiple drivers and team principals have warned of big crashes and red flags this weekend.
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The schedule for the Spanish GP weekend

Photo: Race Pictures
Madrid will follow the traditional Formula 1 weekend format, with three free practice sessions followed by qualifying and the race. The action will begin on Friday with FP1 at 13:30 CEST (12:30 BST), before the drivers return to the track for FP2 at 17:00 CEST (16:00 BST).
Saturday will start with the third and final practice session at 12:30 CEST (11:30 BST), giving the teams one last opportunity to fine-tune their cars before qualifying gets under way at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST). The weekend will then reach its climax on Sunday, with the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix scheduled to start at 15:00 CEST (14:00 BST).
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| Session | CET | UK |
| FP1 | 13:30 | 12:30 |
| FP2 | 17:00 | 16:00 |
| FP3 | 12:30 | 11:30 |
| Qualifying | 16:00 | 15:00 |
| Race | 15:00 | 14:00 |
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