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The Independent UK

Kieran Jackson

YOU WONT BELIEVE: F1 spanish gp live qualifying start time and fp3 updates at new madrid circuit - What They Never Told You

F1 Madrid Kimi Antonelli GP George Russell Lewis Hamilton Carlos Sainz Fernando Alonso Kieran Jackson Max Verstappen

Kimi Antonelli took a major stride towards becoming the youngest Formula One world champion ever with victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The 20-year-old took advantage of Lance Stroll putting his Aston Martin in the wall to earn a free pit-stop during a Virtual Safety Car period before galloping to his eighth win from the 14 rounds so far.

While fortune was on Antonelli’s side, Lando Norris’ luck was out. The world champion was comfortably leading when Stroll crashed on the 14th lap.

But Norris drove past the pit-lane entry just as the VSC was deployed. Norris stopped on the next lap and a slow front-right tyre change lost the British driver even more time.

Follow live updates from the Spanish Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 SPANISH GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES

Kimi Antonelli wins the first-ever F1 race at the Madring
Antonelli extends his lead in the world championship to 81 points
Click HERE for the top-10 in Madrid
OUT! Lewis Hamilton forced to retire with brake issue
START! Lewis Hamilton angry at Max Verstappen after strong start

REPORT: Kimi Antonelli oozes composure with another F1 victory as debut Madrid race fails to fire

17:05 , Kieran Jackson

Generally, there are two roads to take when assessing an inaugural Formula One grand prix. The first: the show, the core parameters by which F1’s glitzy American owners judge their events. And in this respect Madrid, with a sold-out 353,000 spectators across three days at the brand-new street circuit in the north-east of the city, has been something of a success.

Yet the race? The actual sport? It has to be said: less impressive. There were always concerns about the action out on-track on Sunday, given the narrow, twisty nature of this 22-turn circuit next to Real Madrid’s training ground. Without a significant shunt and red-flag-induced drama, overtaking proved as difficult as expected. It wasn’t a complete snooze-fest, by any means, but compared to the first Las Vegas race in 2023 – the last new track on the calendar, which enjoyed an action-packed grand prix after earlier logistical issues – the new Spanish Grand Prix in the capital failed to fire.

Full report below:

Antonelli oozes composure with another F1 win as Madrid fails to fire on debut

Lando Norris after finishing third:

16:42 , Kieran Jackson

"There was nothing I could do, congrats to Kimi and Max, luck not on our side, gave it a good fight to try and catch up with Max but it's difficult to pass.

“A tough race, one that got away from us, felt we deserved it today but that's racing sometimes... we'll take it on the chin.

“These things don't come easy - I'm getting a lot out of the car, yesterday was pretty phenomenal, drove a perfect race today and luck wasn't with me.

“It's tough at the top - more wins are possible, we'll keep it up.”

Max Verstappen after finishing second:

16:23 , Kieran Jackson

"Looking at the race-pace, it's a great result. We know Lando got unlucky with that VSC, you could see how Lando was catching but around here, you can't pass. Just keep the car in the middle; that works quite well here!”

Time for the podium

16:12 , Kieran Jackson

For the second week running, Antonelli basks in the Italian and German national anthems on the top step of the podium!

Kimi Antonelli celebrates his victory (Reuters)

Kimi Antonelli after his win:

15:54 , Kieran Jackson

“It was a very difficult race, not very straightforward at all. It feels good to win but Lando deserved to win. We take it, we had really good pace.

“It’s been an incredible weekend, thank you for coming.”

On title: “I want to keep pushing race by race, keep delivering and keep enjoying all the way... do my best in every race and we’ll see where we end up at the end of the year.”

Top-10 in Madrid

15:45 , Kieran Jackson

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. George Russell (Mercedes)

6. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

7. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

8. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

9. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

10. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)

Kimi Antonelli wins the Spanish Grand Prix

15:40 , Kieran Jackson

Another impressive victory for Kimi Antonelli, who wins the first race in Madrid!

Max Verstappen holds on for second place, with Lando Norris having to settle for third.

Antonelli’s lead is now 81 points to Russell in the world championship.

4-10: Leclerc, Russell, Lawson, Colapinto, Piastri, Lindblad, Hulkenberg

Final lap

15:37 , Kieran Jackson

Cruise control for Antonelli - he leads by 3.3 seconds, while Verstappen and Norris battle behind him.

4-10: Leclerc, Russell, Lawson, Colapitno, Piastri, Lindblad, Hulkenberg

Norris moving close to Verstappen (Lap 56/57)

15:36 , Kieran Jackson

Can Norris find a way through to take second?

He is now just 0.3 seconds off Verstappen, who is fighting for his life to keep second!

Antonelli is 3.7 seconds down the road...

Leclerc pits (Lap 50/57)

15:28 , Kieran Jackson

Finally, the inevitable.

Leclerc pits, switching to softs, and is now in fourth, 2.8 seconds ahead of Russell.

Top-3: Antonelli, Verstappen, Norris

Verstappen is only 1.9 seconds off the Italian, with Norris within a second of the Dutchman.

Where can they overtake though?

Top-10 with 10 laps to go

15:22 , Kieran Jackson

1. Leclerc - leader

2. Antonelli +1.3

3. Verstappen +1.1

4. Norris +1.1

5. Russell +31.6

6. Gasly +28.9

7. Lawson +10.1

8. Colapinto +4.8

9. Bortoleto +0.4

10. Piastri +0.2

Carlos Sainz retires (Lap 46/57)

15:20 , Kieran Jackson

Williams tells the Spanish driver to retire the car.

Sainz: “Yeah, I agree.”

A painful day for the Madrid local.

Oscar Piastri pits (Lap 43/57)

15:15 , Kieran Jackson

It had to happen sometime and Piastri, yet to pit, dives into the pit-lane.

It’s a three-second stop for the Aussie and he now comes out in 11th.

Work to do to get back into the points.

Leclerc on team radio: (Lap 39/57)

15:09 , Kieran Jackson

“Give me a bit of an update on the race situation.”

He is informed that he’ll be P4 post-stop if there's no safety car, but they’re trying to keep a safety-car gap to Norris in fourth.

When will the Ferrari man opt to pit?

George Russell on team radio (Lap 37/57)

15:04 , Kieran Jackson

“Why did we pit? I think we could have held Norris off.”

Russell has made headway and overtakes Lawson, on old hard tyres, but now trails Norris by a mammoth 29 seconds.

Two pit-stops has killed him here...

George Russell pits (Lap 29/57)

14:56 , Kieran Jackson

Mercedes make their move with Russell now.

It’s a quick stop - 2.2 seconds - and the Briton comes out in sixth on a new set of hard tyres, just ahead of seventh-placed Oscar Piastri.

Liam Lawson is seven seconds down the road...

George Russell pits (Lap 29/57)

14:56 , Kieran Jackson

Mercedes make their move with Russell now.

It’s a quick stop - 2.2 seconds - and the Briton comes out in sixth on a new set of hard tyres, just ahead of seventh-placed Oscar Piastri.

Liam Lawson is seven seconds down the road...

Top-10 (Lap 26/57)

14:48 , Kieran Jackson

1. Leclerc - leader (not pitted)

2. Antonelli +2.4

3. Verstappen +6.9

4. Russell +3.4

5. Norris +1.2

6. Lawson +15.7 (not pitted)

7. Piastri +8.5 (not pitted)

8. Gasly +9.1 (not pitted)

9. Bortoleto +4.0 (not pitted)

10. Colapinto +5.6

Antonelli drops back (Lap 24/57)

14:43 , Kieran Jackson

Playing the long game and thinking about his tyres, Antonelli has dropped back to around three seconds behind race leader Leclerc.

Every other driver in the top-10 has a margin of at least two seconds to the car behind... rhythm for the race now looks somewhat set.

Warning for Antonelli (Lap 18/57)

14:37 , Kieran Jackson

The Italian’s engineer Peter Bonnington just telling his driver to ease off a bit as he chases down Leclerc.

“Just make sure you stay on top of the management, we don’t want to open these tyres up. They aren’t bulletproof.”

Top-10: Leclerc, Antonelli, Verstappen, Russell, Norris, Lawson, Piastri, Gasly, Bortoleto, Colapinto

Russell on mediums (Lap 17/57)

14:33 , Kieran Jackson

Most of the field pitted onto hard tyres, but Russell is on mediums as he started on hard.

He’s questioning whether he can go to the end while those around him almost certainly can.

As for Norris, no radio reaction yet but he’ll be fuming. Partly bad luck with VSC timing, partly questionable strategy to bring him in.

Norris pits too late (Lap 16/57)

14:31 , Kieran Jackson

Oh McLaren.

The VSC period ends just as Norris gets to the last few corners - but they still bring him in!

It’s a long pit-lane and a long pit-stop - and the race leader has now dropped to fifth.

Charles Leclerc (who didn’t pit) now leads, two seconds ahead of Antonelli.

VSC (Lap 15/57)

14:28 , Kieran Jackson

Will this shake things up?!

Lance Stroll is in the wall in the third sector: “I have a brake problem, I’ve lost brakes.”

Antonelli and Verstappen dive into the pits, as does Russell.

Norris stays out... for now.

Norris leads comfortably (Lap 10/57)

14:21 , Kieran Jackson

It’s looking very smooth for the McLaren driver - he has a five-second lead over Kimi Antonelli, who is 5.7 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen.

4-10: Leclerc, Russell, Lawson, Colapinto, Lindblad, Piastri, Ocon

Lewis Hamilton out

14:17 , Kieran Jackson

Inevitably, Hamilton enters the pits and Ferrari retire the car.

Ah, dear.

Lewis Hamilton on team radio:

14:14 , Kieran Jackson

“I can barely stop the car guys.”

He has now dropped to dead last.

Hamilton dropping down the order (Lap 6/57)

14:13 , Kieran Jackson

This is a nightmare for Lewis Hamilton!

“I don’t have brakes guys.”

He’s dropped right down the order, has gone off track at turn 20, and is now down in 14th!

His race looks over...

Verstappen drops back (Lap 5/57)

14:12 , Kieran Jackson

The Dutchman eventually does what he’s told, dropping to fourth, but Hamilton has a “brake issue” and drops behind Verstappen and now teammate Leclerc.

Top-10: Norris, Antonelli, Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, Russell, Colapinto, Lawson, Lindblad, Piastri

Norris has significant lead (Lap 3/57)

14:11 , Kieran Jackson

The reigning world champion will be satisfied thus far - he has a 3.2-second lead over Verstappen.

Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase tells the Dutchman to give the position back to Hamilton (and therefore Antonelli) for turn one.

“Mate what the f*** are you guys talking about? He would’ve shunted into me,” Verstappen says.

“If he crashes into me, we’d have been out of the race.”

Norris leads (Lap 1/57)

14:06 , Kieran Jackson

Really strong start from the pole-sitter, who keeps P1 at turn 1!

It was a great start from Lewis Hamilton, who looked good for second, before Verstappen closed the door on him.

Hamilton: “Max has to give back the position.”

Antonelli, meanwhile, cut the corner at the first two chicanes and now drops back to third, having lost a position to Verstappen.

The rest of them are all through cleanly!

Formation lap

14:01 , Kieran Jackson

Norris leads the packa way with the formation lap, with a variety of tyres on show amongst the contenders.

Norris and Antonelli are on mediums, while Verstappen and Hamilton are on softs. Fifth to eighth, meanwhile, all on hards.

What will we get here?!

A reminder of the starting grid:

13:58 , Kieran Jackson

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

6. George Russell (Mercedes)

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

8. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

11. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)

12. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)

13. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

15. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)

16. Alex Albon (Williams)

17. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

18. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)

19. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)

20. Carlos Sainz (Williams)*

21. Ollie Bearman (Haas)

22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

*Sainz was given a three-place grid penalty for impeding Bottas in qualifying

Spanish Grand Prix

13:56 , Kieran Jackson

So, what have you got for us Madrid?!

Lando Norris starts on pole alongside championship leader Kimi Antonelli, with Max Verstappen in third and Lewis Hamilton in fourth.

Will we see some drama at turn 1? What will this new circuit give us on raceday?

5 minutes until lights out!

Nico Rosberg on Ferrari not imposing strict rules on their drivers

13:51 , Kieran Jackson

“I am surprised and I think it’s a big mistake because why would you not pre-empt any problems? That’s a recipe for disaster.”

Time for the Spanish national anthem

13:45 , Kieran Jackson

Huge cheers as a fly-over takes place over the Madring circuit at the end of the national anthem!

Atmosphere at fever-pitch!

Madrid GP attendance

13:40 , Kieran Jackson

The first-ever grand prix at the Madring has attracted 352,618 attendees in total.

Impressive stuff!

Lewis Hamilton reacts after missing out on first Ferrari F1 pole: ‘It’s a dodgy set of tyres’

13:36 , Kieran Jackson

Speaking on team radio to his race engineer Carlo Santi afterwards, Hamilton said: “It’s a dodgy set of tyres. Sorry guys, I gave it everything.”

Elaborating further on his final few laps in qualifying, Hamilton told Sky Sports: “Second lap was just as good as the other one, it was the same time pretty much. I think I was a little bit, half a tenth quicker or something like that.

“But, for some reason, we went into that last lap and as I started, came round the last corner, I had understeer and I was like ‘maybe these front tyres are not switched on,’ [but] just turned out I just had more rear and more understeer through the lap.”

George Russell warns of dangers at Madrid F1 circuit: ‘Less margin than Monaco’

13:22 , Kieran Jackson

“I would put this as a circuit that has less margin than Monaco,” Russell said. “Purely because of the speed.

“In Monaco, the walls are closer but you’re going slower… if you make a mistake you’re in the wall less quickly and if you lock-up, you can recover it.

“Here, there’s a lot of really fast corners and the barriers are almost coming onto the track. If you are to go wide and hit the wall, you’re not hitting it at the same angle the car is going.”

FEATURE: How Madrid stole a march on Barcelona (and London!) with new F1 race in heart of city

13:15 , Kieran Jackson

As if to emphasise the scale and enormity of the proposition at hand, it was 2017 and the inaugural year of Liberty Media’s game-changing takeover of Formula 1 when conversations first took place with stakeholders in Madrid about hosting a grand prix.

Following the American train of thought with a modern-day city-centre circuit and extravaganza, could the Spanish capital go where no Western European capital had gone before? Nine years on, the end-product will be showcased to the world this weekend. Forty-five years after F1 last raced in Madrid, the Spanish Grand Prix has a new destination.

“There were a lot of reasons to walk away,” Spanish GP CEO Luis Garcia Abad, also manager to Fernando Alonso for nearly 20 years, tells The Independent about a process a decade in the making. “To organise something new in Europe in 2026, with a lot of regulations and different aspects to it… there are opportunities to stop.”

Full piece below:

How Madrid stole a march on Barcelona (and London!) with new F1 race in heart of city

Comical post-qualifying radio exchange between Lando Norris and his engineer:

13:08 , Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris: "Sorry. I f***** up man."

Will Joseph: "Hang on! Just wait a second... Two cars to go, wait a second. One car to go. Stay calm mate."

Norris: "F***ing idiot."

Joseph: "It wasn't your best final corner, but it's still pole, so well done."

Norris: "F*** YES! Ohhh what a lap! F***ing hell."

Joseph: "That was some lap."

Norris: "Gorgeous. Well done guys. Are you serious?"

Joseph: "Yeah I am serious!"

Top-10 - Driver standings ahead of Spanish GP

13:00 , Kieran Jackson

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 267 points

2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 201 points

3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 191 points

4. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 171 points

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 155 points

6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 127 points

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 115 points

8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 71 points

9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 51 points

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 41 points

Max Verstappen, who qualified third:

12:53 , Kieran Jackson

“It was a very good qualifying, for me being third is a great result – the car felt quite decent, could attack corners the way we liked.

“This is a very good result.”

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur:

12:45 , Kieran Jackson

When you are P1 after the first run in Q3, for sure you are targeting pole. I think Lewis made a small mistake at the start of his last flying lap and left around a tenth and a half in the first sector.

“Charles did a good lap and improved massively through Turns 5 and 6, but with such small gaps between the cars, it was not enough to do better than fifth.Now let’s focus on tomorrow: the data from long runs on Friday might not be fully representative, as no one really focused on this and the track is still evolving very quickly.

“From today’s F2 and F3 races, it’s clear that overtaking is extremely difficult on this track but we also know the race could be chaotic, so we need to be ready to take every opportunity, whether that comes from a VSC, a Safety Car or even a red flag.”

Lando Norris after claiming pole:

12:38 , Kieran Jackson

“I’m shocked, a little bit surprised. But my god, one of the best laps I’ve ever done in my career. Very proud. One of those laps where it all came together, everything worked pretty much perfectly. One of those laps when you look at it at the end, s*** that’s pretty good.

“Adrenaline was high on the last lap. Got to relax and let it all flow. Walls come at you pretty quickly but I’ve been feeling pretty confident. Wasn’t quite relaxed in the last lap, took a good breath, pretty much perfect apart from the last corner, thought I was in the wall! You’re in that flow-state.”

What is the starting grid?

12:30 , Kieran Jackson

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

6. George Russell (Mercedes)

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

8. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

11. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)

12. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)

13. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

15. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)

16. Alex Albon (Williams)

17. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

18. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

19. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)

20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)

21. Ollie Bearman (Haas)

22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

Charles Leclerc after qualifying fifth:

12:23 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s an interesting track to drive on. There may have been a bit of margin for extracting more, but all in all, it was quite a good lap.

“There aren’t many spots where overtaking is possible here, so we will see how the race unfolds and try to take any opportunity we have to get ahead.”

QUALIFYING REPORT: Lando Norris stuns rivals to claim remarkable pole for first F1 race in Madrid

12:08 , Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris came from nowhere to edge out championship leader Kimi Antonelli and take a brilliant pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix.

World champion Norris had not troubled the top of the timesheets at any stage across the weekend in Madrid, but he pulled out a magical lap – one the British driver proclaimed as one of the best of his career – to see off Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds.

Full report below:

Lando Norris stuns rivals to claim remarkable pole for first F1 race in Madrid

PREVIEW: Welcome to the Madring - the 'car-killer' circuit

12:00 , Kieran Jackson

“When I heard there were 20 red flags in the F3 test [in August], I was surprised,” began George Russell, as the Mercedes driver gave his verdict on the new ‘Madring’ circuit hosting the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time this weekend. “But when I tried out the simulator and saw where the red flags were on the track, I was surprised that there were only 20 red flags.”

“It’s a crazy circuit: the most risky on the whole calendar.”

Full piece below:

Welcome to the ‘car-killer’ Madring: F1’s ‘craziest circuit’ debuts this weekend

Constructor standings ahead of Spanish GP

11:45 , Kieran Jackson

1. Mercedes - 468 points

2. Ferrari - 346 points

3. McLaren - 287 points

4. Red Bull - 204 points

5. Racing Bulls - 75 points

6. Alpine - 62 points

7. Haas - 21 points

8. Audi - 16 points

9. Williams - 11 points

10. Aston Martin - 3 points

11. Cadillac - 0 points

What is the starting grid?

11:40 , Kieran Jackson

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

6. George Russell (Mercedes)

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

8. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

11. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)

12. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)

13. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

15. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)

16. Alex Albon (Williams)

17. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

18. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

19. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)

20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)

21. Ollie Bearman (Haas)

22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

COMMENT: How Kimi Antonelli manifested his inner Max Verstappen to reveal a new F1 reality

10:59 , Kieran Jackson

In the immediate aftermath, there was no sign of a crestfallen George Russell. As Kimi Antonelli jumped for joy with his family and made his way to the ‘No 1’ platform in the Monza pit-lane, it was in fact third-placed Max Verstappen who smiled and embraced the 20-year-old. And the Red Bull driver could not help but raise a smile. Moments earlier, Verstappen had embraced Antonelli’s father Marco, a former national racer himself. In the Italian, perhaps the Dutchman saw an embodiment of himself, nine years his junior.

At the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, in what was undoubtedly the race of the year so far, Antonelli produced a masterclass in all-out speed, poise and panache. Starting 19th on the grid, the Mercedes driver made 26 overtakes in total to execute a triumph which was rated at 25/1 pre-race. Not the impossibility it perhaps seemed but, nonetheless, a startling feat as he became Italy’s first home grand prix winner since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.

Full piece below:

How Kimi Antonelli manifested his inner Max Verstappen to reveal a new F1 reality

Fernando Alonso after qualifying P18:

10:30 , Kieran Jackson

“The circuit was challenging and it’s a high adrenaline lap at high speeds. I think it was probably the maximum we could achieve today in Qualifying and we’ll have to see what we can do in the race.

“It looks like overtaking might be difficult, so we’ll have to try to maximise everything to gain positions. The fans were very enthusiastic today and it is great to see so much green and energy from the grandstands.”

Toto Wolff after qualifying:

10:15 , Kieran Jackson

“Coming into the weekend, we didn't expect to be in the fight for pole. As we moved towards qualifying though we had shown good pace and thought that we may have an opportunity to get P1.

“We came close but in the final moments, Lando (Norris) pulled out the lap of the weekend so far.

“Credit to him and McLaren for that; we are still relatively satisfied with our performance though as it gives us a chance to battle at the front tomorrow.”

FEATURE: How Madrid stole a march on Barcelona (and London!) with new F1 race in heart of city

10:00 , Kieran Jackson

Full piece below:

How Madrid stole a march on Barcelona (and London!) with new F1 race in heart of city

Charles Leclerc on 'Madring' track

09:00 , Kieran Jackson

"The track is very exciting, very challenging, and it's a street track as well and these are the tracks I normally quite enjoy, and this is no exception to that.

"It was really nice to be driving on this new track. There is still a lot of work to be done and I expect it to be one of the most challenging qualifying sessions of the year, being such a commitment track.

"Qualifying is for sure going to be the key moment of the weekend because in P2 it was extremely difficult or impossible to overtake so most of the performance this weekend will be based on the qualifying."

Driver standings ahead of Spanish GP

07:00 , Kieran Jackson

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 267 points

2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 201 points

3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 191 points

4. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 171 points

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 155 points

6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 127 points

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 115 points

8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 71 points

9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 51 points

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 41 points

Charles Leclerc after qualifying fifth:

05:00 , Kieran Jackson

It’s an interesting track to drive on. There may have been a bit of margin for extracting more, but all in all, it was quite a good lap.There aren’t many spots where overtaking is possible here, so we will see how the race unfolds and try to take any opportunity we have to get ahead.

Carlos Sainz after his Q1 elimination at his home race

03:00 , Kieran Jackson

“It was a good lap but a scrappy qualifying overall, with several issues that cost us precious tenths in the end. We knew we would struggle at this track but we also went out very early for the last push, losing out on track evolution, and had some deployment losses that prevented us from getting into Q2. Apologies to Valtteri for impeding his lap, I wasn’t aware he was pushing and had no time to get out of his way.

“On a positive note, this track has been a lot of fun to drive at qualifying pace, and I’m enjoying being so close to the walls and always driving at the limit. It’s been incredible to feel the support of the fans throughout the weekend so far, and it’s a dream come true to be here racing in front of my home crowd. Tomorrow, overtaking will be difficult, but we will try our best to come back and give everyone something to cheer for!”

Oscar Piastri, who qualified P7:

02:00 , Kieran Jackson

“P7. I’m a bit disappointed with that one. Overall, it was a bit of a messy session and the car felt nicer in FP3 than it did in Qualifying. We improved it a bit through the three Qualifying sessions, but I didn’t have that last bit we needed in the last run.

“The first lap of Q3 on used tyres was okay, but my final run on new tyres wasn’t good enough. Around this track, once you’re out of rhythm it’s very hard to get it back, and needing two sets in Q1 put on the back foot a bit.”

Comical post-qualifying radio exchange between Lando Norris and his engineer:

Saturday 12 September 2026 20:00 , Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris: "Sorry. I f***** up man."

Will Joseph: "Hang on! Just wait a second... Two cars to go, wait a second. One car to go. Stay calm mate."

Norris: "F***ing idiot."

Joseph: "It wasn't your best final corner, but it's still pole, so well done."

Norris: "F*** YES! Ohhh what a lap! F***ing hell."

Joseph: "That was some lap."

Norris: "Gorgeous. Well done guys. Are you serious?"

Joseph: "Yeah I am serious!"

George Russell after qualifying P6:

Saturday 12 September 2026 18:37 , Kieran Jackson

“It was a tough qualifying session for me. The main factor we were managing throughout all the sessions was ensuring we had the tyres in the right window. I had a really good lap in Q1 and hoped that I had the same potential in my last lap of Q3.

“Unfortunately, it was a bit of a scrappy lap; I had a lot of understeer from turn 11 onwards and lost a couple of tenths from there. The tyres really struggle here with the heat and the long corners, so you can find yourself sliding around, losing more time, and being pushed further down the order.”

Big day for Russell. He needs to find some momentum, somehow...

Kimi Antonelli, who qualified P2:

Saturday 12 September 2026 17:00 , Kieran Jackson

“It was a good lap but then this guy snatched it away, good job to them. On my side, very intense qualifying, difficult to get the balance right with track so hot but the lap was clean.

“Overall, we did a good job and we’ll see what we can do tomorrow.”

Lando Norris after claiming pole:

Saturday 12 September 2026 16:45 , Kieran Jackson

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Norris so overjoyed after a session...

Top-10 in qualifying

Saturday 12 September 2026 16:16 , Kieran Jackson

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)

2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

6. George Russell (Mercedes)

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

8. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

What time is the race?

Saturday 12 September 2026 16:16 , Kieran Jackson

The Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid starts at 2pm BST.

Norris jubilant

Saturday 12 September 2026 16:06 , Kieran Jackson

“Ahhh that might be my best one! That makes me happy!”

And so he should be...

Lando Norris on pole position!

Saturday 12 September 2026 16:01 , Kieran Jackson

Well, well, well - first it was Antonelli who nicked top spot from Hamilton, and then Lando Norris got it done!

By just 0.011 secs to Antonelli!

Verstappen nips in for third; Hamilton has to settle for fourth.

5-10: Leclerc, Russell, Piastri, Lawson, Colapinto, Lindblad

That was stunning!

Is this Hamilton's moment?

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:55 , Kieran Jackson

The 41-year-old, beyond the halfway mark in his second season at Ferrari, is yet to experience a grand prix pole position in red.

Is this the one?! With four minutes left in Q3, they all head back out...

Lewis Hamilton on provisional pole

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:53 , Kieran Jackson

Here we go!

First set of Q3 laps in and it’s Lewis Hamilton - who has been nowhere all day - who goes top!

He’s 0.061 secs ahead of Kimi Antonelli in second, with George Russell a tenth down in third.

4-10: Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Lawson, Colapinto, Lindblad

They’ll all head in, most for fresh rubber, and will have one more go!

Q3 underway

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:48 , Kieran Jackson

Kimi Antonelli leads a long queue at the end of the pit-lane as the top-10 shootout begins!

Who will be the first-ever pole-sitter in Madrid?!

10 drivers involved: Antonelli, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Lawson, Colapinto, Lindblad

Out in Q2

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:43 , Kieran Jackson

11. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)

12. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)

13. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

15. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)

16. Alex Albon (Williams)

Gasly out

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:42 , Kieran Jackson

One week you’re pole-sitter, the next you’re not in the top-10.

Franco Colapinto has made it but Pierre Gasly is out in P14!

“No grip, I don’t get it, it’s a completely different car,” says Gasly.

Out in Q2 (11-16); Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Ocon, Gasly, Tsunoda, Albon

Final laps in Q2

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:37 , Kieran Jackson

Both Alpines out on track - can they get themselves into Q3?

Current bottom-six (11-16): Bortoleto, Tsunoda, Ocon, Albon, Colapinto (no time), Gasly (no time)

2:00 left in Q2.

Verstappen quickest so far

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:32 , Kieran Jackson

Momentum shifting back to the Dutchman?

He’s quickest after the first laps in Q2, with Antonelli 0.046 secs behind. Russell is third, two-tenths off.

Current bottom-six (11-16): Bortoleto, Tsunoda, Ocon, Albon, Colapinto (no time), Gasly (no time)

Unsure why the Alpines haven’t been out yet. Still, 7:00 left in Q2.

Q2 underway

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:26 , Kieran Jackson

No home drivers in now but we continue on with the second phase of qualifying where, again, we’ll lose the slowest six from the remainder of the session.

Out in Q1

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:22 , Kieran Jackson

17. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

18. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

19. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)

20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)

21. Ollie Bearman (Haas)

22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

Alonso and Sainz both out

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:21 , Kieran Jackson

Oh dear. That is not what the home fans wanted: Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso both OUT in Q1.

Sainz by just 0.005 secs to his Williams teammate Alex Albon!

Bottom-six (17-22) and out in Q1: Sainz, Alonso, Perez, Bottas, Bearman, Stroll

Alonso heading out

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:14 , Kieran Jackson

The home hero is currently P17, a tenth off his compatriot Carlos Sainz ahead.

Current bottom-six (17-22): Alonso, Albon, Perez, Bottas, Bearman (no time), Stroll (no time)

Meanwhile, George Russell is boxing after a brief touch with the wall. Car looks fine though.

3:00 to go in Q1...

HAAS STATEMENT

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:11 , Kieran Jackson

“Ollie Bearman will not participate in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix as a result of the damage sustained to his VF-26.”

Twenty-one drivers taking part then...

Antonelli goes off

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:10 , Kieran Jackson

Close shave for the favourite!

Antonelli locks up and goes off track in the final sector, but fortunately has a bit of run-off area and avoids the wall and continues on.

Got a few pulses racing though...

Antonelli ahead of Verstappen

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:08 , Kieran Jackson

First marker laid down by the championship leader, who goes two-tenths quicker than Verstappen - though the Red Bull driver was on mediums.

First set of laps coming in now. 10 mins to go in Q1...

Q1 underway

Saturday 12 September 2026 15:02 , Kieran Jackson

First qualifying session then - with Carlos Sainz out first.

18 minutes where we’ll lose the slowest six. Game on.

Qualifying in Madrid

Saturday 12 September 2026 14:55 , Kieran Jackson

With concerns over overtaking here, this should be a belting qualifying session!

Kimi Antonelli, quickest in two of the three practice sessions, has to go into it as the favourite but it’ll all be about who can put it together and risk the most... without putting it in the wall!

Ferrari are thereabouts too - can Lewis Hamilton be in contention after his crash earlier?

We’re about to find out.

Lewis Hamilton escapes sanction

Saturday 12 September 2026 14:43 , Kieran Jackson

The Ferrari driver was potentially in hot water for continuing to drive with a broken wing under his car following his FP3 crash, but the stewards have decided to take no further action.

Assuming his car is fixed, he’ll be all OK for qualifying shortly.

Arvid Lindblad after his crash on Friday

Saturday 12 September 2026 14:15 , Kieran Jackson

"It's not an easy track, so we're all pushing to find the limits. It's new for all of us and I just made a bit of mistake and overdid it a little bit in Turn 13.

"A bit of a shame, I apologised to the mechanics and team because it's a bit of extra work for them.

"But looking at the big picture, it's been a good day. We're very fast, I was running P4 on merit. I was only 0.2secs from P1 which is really strong."

What time is qualifying?

Saturday 12 September 2026 13:15 , Kieran Jackson

The first-ever qualifying session at the new Madring circuit starts at 3pm BST.

Top-10 in FP3

Saturday 12 September 2026 13:02 , Kieran Jackson

1. Antonelli - 1:32:797

2. Leclerc +0.166

3. Piastri +0.189

4. Norris +0.236

5. Verstappen +0.375

6. Russell +0.702

7. Lawson +1.105

8. Hulkenberg +1.136

9. Hamilton +1.487

10. Bortoleto +1.491

Kimi Antonelli fastest

Saturday 12 September 2026 12:55 , Kieran Jackson

The championship leader sets the final benchmark ahead of qualifying then, going 0.166 seconds quicker than Charles Leclerc in second.

Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen - all within four-tenths - complete the top five.

6-10: Russell, Lawson, Hulkenberg, Hamilton, Bearman

That was one long practice session!

Bearman crash

Saturday 12 September 2026 12:50 , Kieran Jackson

OK so this was a bigger one.

The Haas driver spins and smashes into the wall, with his car sliding down the side of it.

He’s all OK - but that’ll be some repair job with just over two hours until qualifying!

Ollie Bearman crashed on Saturday in Madrid (F1TV)

Ollie Bearman crashes

Saturday 12 September 2026 12:48 , Kieran Jackson

Session over as Bearman’s Haas is in the wall!

Two shunts in this final practice session...

Kimi Antonelli goes fastest

Saturday 12 September 2026 12:42 , Kieran Jackson

The championship leader makes a statement, going 0.166 secs quicker than Charles Leclerc?

Can the Ferrari driver respond in the closing stages?

FP3 back underway

Saturday 12 September 2026 12:38 , Kieran Jackson

Will we get any change at the top?

Leclerc currently holds it by 0.297 secs to Antonelli.

Session will resume in two minutes

Saturday 12 September 2026 12:31 , Kieran Jackson

Cars storm out of the garage and into the pit-lane as we receive a restart time.

It’ll start at 12:32pm (BST).

FP3 paused

Saturday 12 September 2026 12:28 , Kieran Jackson

Work continues on the stricken barrier - I think the crash happened at an indent between two Tecpro barriers and, despite the marshal’s best efforts, they can’t push them back into place again.

Nonetheless, fans in the baking hot sun continue to wave and dance in the grandstands!

Let’s hope we get some action on track soon...

Session stopped

Saturday 12 September 2026 12:19 , Kieran Jackson

This is unusual.

They’re having real problems re-assembling the barrier at turn 22 and, given its final practice at a new circuit, the FIA have taken the unusual step of stopping the clock in practice.

We have 15:38 left - and that’s how much the drivers will get... as soon as this issue is fixed.

VIDEO: Hamilton's crash

Saturday 12 September 2026 12:02 , Kieran Jackson

Onboard with Lewis Hamilton during his crash in FP3 pic.twitter.com/OZgRkukGmr
— Holiness (@F1BigData) September 12, 2026

FP3

Saturday 12 September 2026 12:00 , Kieran Jackson

Needless to say, that crash brought out a red-flag.

Should be a quick one though, with Hamilton’s damaged Ferrari now removed from the circuit.

Ironically, his team-mate Charles Leclerc is top of the standings at halfway, with Kimi Antonelli three-tenths off in second and Lando Norris in third.

Hamilton was fourth on the leaderboard when he crashed out.