George Russell leads Mercedes one-two ahead of Charles Leclerc in Spanish Grand Prix FP1

In the first free practice session of the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, George Russell of Mercedes secured the top position with a lap time of 1:34.077. He was followed closely by his teammate Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who completed the top three positions. The session marked the return of Formula 1 to Madrid after a long absence since 1981, with the new 3.364-mile circuit presenting challenges for the drivers.

The practice session saw various drivers testing different tire compounds, with Russell ultimately finding clear air to set his best time. Other notable performances included Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who finished fourth and fifth respectively. Yuki Tsunoda faced difficulties with a power steering issue, ending his session early.