12:01
We're only half an hour away from the session going green in Madrid and seeing F1 cars for he first time this weekend. If we can get through this without a red flag, there will be a certain amount of surprise in the paddock.
Madrid is set to make its F1 debut
LIVE
F1 Madrid LIVE: Madring first look and Spanish GP practice updates
Live coverage of Friday at the F1 Spanish Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Madrid set for F1 debut
- F3 test saw 19 red flags
- Russell must take risks in championship chase
The 14th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes place at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The Madring becomes F1's newest grand prix venue as it replaces Barcelona as the home of the Spanish Grand Prix. The street track layout features 22 turns packed into a 5.414km distance, with the banked Turn 12 the focal point.
In the lead-up to the weekend, drivers have commented on an expectation of red flags, with many in the lower reaches keen to take advantage of any opportunities that may present themselves.
Kimi Antonelli arrives at Madrid with an increased 66-point lead in the drivers' championship after taking victory in Monza from 19th place on the grid. This leaves team-mate and primary championship rival George Russell needing to claw back some of the margin this weekend, meaning he may be forced to take some uncomfortable risks.
Lewis Hamilton's hopes of a record-breaking eighth world title took a pounding at Monza as Ferrari again fumbled the ball with its race management.
Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso will hope to impress in front of their home fans, but both have been realistic of their limited chances coming into the weekend with Williams and Aston Martin off the pace so far this year.
2026 Spanish Grand Prix Friday schedule
FP1 12:30pm BST - 1:30pm BST
FP2: 4:00pm BST - 5:00pm BST
11 Sep 2026
11:55
The reason George Russell and Mercedes are delaying his F1 engine penalty
The reason George Russell and Mercedes are delaying his F1 engine penalty
George Russell has revealed he will serve his engine penalty when Mercedes introduces its upgraded Formula 1 power unit.
Like team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Russell will need to take a grid penalty for exceeding his permitted allocation of power unit components before the end of the 2026 F1 season.
Antonelli and Russell traded the lead on multiple occasions
11:49
In F2, things were a little bit more dramatic, with fire erupting as a car struck the wall at Turn 19.
11:45
The first red flag of the day came at the end of the F3 practice session, when Nicola Lacorte spun at Turn 9.
11:37
Good morning!
Good morning, and welcome to Madrid for the first Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring. We've already seen a few crashes in the junior categories today, so expect more of those in the coming hour!