Formula 1 has arrived at the all-new Madring in Madrid. With two days of running, the new circuit has already lived up to its reputation as a fast, technical and unforgiving challenge.
Russell topped FP1 while Antonelli was fastest during FP2 with Leclerc and Hamilton putting Ferrari firmly in the fight. The championship leader carried that momentum into FP3 on Saturday morning. Mercedes driver set the fastest time once again ahead of Leclerc and Piastri.
However, FP3 was far from straightforward. Hamilton brought out the red flags after locking up at the final corner and hitting the barriers. This has left Ferrari with plenty of work to do before qualifying.
With overtaking expected to be difficult around the new Madrid circuit, qualifying could prove even more important than usual. The margins are incredibly tight, the walls are close and there is very little room for error.
Can Antonelli continue his momentum, or can Leclerc and Ferrari strike back?
Join us for live coverage of the 2026 Spanish GP Qualifying session.
LIVE BLOG | Spanish GP – Qualifying
Ended
Ended 12 September, 2026, 4:09 pmUpdated
Coverage has ended
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That’s it from us for today!
Thank you for joining us for our live coverage of the first-ever Qualifying at Madring. We will bring you any updates and news on our socials. We will see you again tomorrow for Sunday’s race.
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LANDO NORRIS IS ON POLE AT MADRING!
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Norris takes provisional pole
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Antonelli on provisional pole
Can anyone top his time?
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No further investigation for Lindblad
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Final minutes of Q3
Mercedes leads the way for the final laps of Q3 as Lindblad is noted for an unsafe release.
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Hamilton on provisional pole
With under 6 minutes to go, cars are heading back to the pits to prepare for one last shootout. The gap between Hamilton and Antonelli is currently +0.061 seconds.
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Everyone on track
Let’s see what the early banker laps show on track evolution. Meanwhile Norris has given a black-and-white flag
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Time to see who takes pole in Madring
10 cars are heading out for Q3. Who takes pole?
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OUT in Q2
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Everyone are out on track
as final seconds of Q2 tick down and flying laps are coming in and max is still fastest
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With most cars in the pits
The 6 cars currently in the danger zones with 5 minutes to go are
Bortoleto
Tsunoda
Ocon
Albon
Colapinto
Gasly
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Red Bull is really showing pace during qualifying
After being top of the timesheets for most of Q1, they are now P1 and P4
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Q2 is underway as cars head out for banker laps
Stroll did not come out for Q1 as he has grid penalties for exceeding his power unit elements allocation, and Carlos might get a blocking penalty
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OUT IN Q1
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Investigation for Russell after the session
for not following the race directors instructions
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Last-minute shuffles
Lap times coming in and order is constantly changing
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5 minutes to go
Currently in the danger zone:
Alonso
Albon
Peréz
Bottas
Bearman (not in this session)
Stroll
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Red Bull currently fastest
Liam Lawson currently fastest with 10 min to go
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Lap times are starting to come in
Everyone is trying to get banker laps in to have a time on board in case of any incidents
