Car on Fire, Fernando Alonso Breakdown, and a VIP Parade: Madring’s First Day Recap in Formula 1

Madring is already a reality. Formula 1 has contested this Friday the first free practice sessions of the new Spanish Grand Prix, and the takeaway is of an organization that has committed far fewer rookie mistakes than expected, and that has managed to seize the space to craft a tremendous circuit.

On the sporting side, Mercedes has continued to dominate, but with less margin than at other circuits. Madring’s fastest time so far is a 1:33.662 by Kimi Antonelli, but Ferrari are only a tenth behind. Things are not as rosy for the Spaniards: Fernando Alonso’s clutch problem cost him time and Carlos Sainz’s Williams performed poorly here.

Kimi Antonelli, the fastest on the first day at Madring

Kimi Antonelli was the fastest driver on the first day of practice at Madring. The World Champion leader set the pace, but Ferrari were very closely behind, finishing second and third, only a tenth behind the Italian, and this time with Charles Leclerc ahead of Lewis Hamilton. The duel looks set to be intense.

For the Spaniards, not such good news. Alonso had a clutch problem that caused him to miss almost the first half-hour of the session, finishing seventeenth. Just behind is Carlos Sainz, who has had no problems except the most important one: his Williams is very uncompetitive here.

The dubious honor of suffering Madring’s first-ever accident goes to Arvid Lindblad. And yet the rookie had been moving very fast, as his fourth place in the standings demonstrates. But he lost control of his Racing Bulls at Turn 20A and crashed into the barriers, triggering a red flag and repairs to the circuit.

Although Lindblad debuts Madring in Formula 1, Formula 2 has been a massacre. The qualifying has been a constant sequence of red flags, and in the free practice we had the day’s most serious accident. Thai driver Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak crashed into the barriers and his car began to burn, forcing the use of extinguishers.

This Friday has also served to start hinting at the avalanche of VIPs that is coming for the rest of the Grand Prix. Even in the free practice we have crossed paths with a multitude of celebrities, standing out above all David Beckham, who arrived with a huge entourage around him.

The first day of cars on track ended on a good note despite some level difficulties. Saturday and Sunday will be Madring’s acid test.

FP2 results Formula GP Spain 2026

Images | Ferrari, Mercedes