FP2 Madring: Antonelli 1st, Ferrari strong, Verstappen P6, Lindblad crash

The Madring – the first new Formula 1 circuit since Las Vegas in 2023 – leaves little room for error. The young drivers Montoya, Maini, Varrone, Bennett and Herta found this out the hard way in the second F2 qualifying session, ahead of the second F1 practice session, with crashes of varying severity – all out. By comparison, the first practice session in the premier class was actually quite civilised.

What new parts did the Formula 1 teams actually bring to Madrid? McLaren had a modified rear wing. Mercedes also had a new rear wing, plus additional small wings around the exhaust, as well as modified front brake ventilation.

Red Bull Racing brought reinforced airflow elements on the rear axle, along with a modified front section of the underbody; Ferrari brought improved rear suspension fairings. Alpine brought an improved underbody, whilst Cadillac brought modifications to the rear wing and diffuser.

No new features on the cars at the Madring: Williams, Red Bull Racing, Aston Martin, Haas and Audi.

The second practice session on the treacherous track began at 30 degrees, with the track temperature at 52.4 degrees. But without Fernando Alonso: clutch problems on the Aston Martin.

Topic of the week

2027 MotoGP grid: Almost a quarter of the riders are new – implications for SBK

The 2027 MotoGP grid will feature five new regular riders, with at least three of those dropped set to move to the World Superbike Championship. The ones to suffer as a result are Alvaro Bautista and Danilo Petrucci.

Read More

TV Program

Live

Madrid: Das Rennen Re-Live

FIA Formula One World Championship

13.09.2026 - 17:30

The track, which already offered a decent level of grip in the first practice session, is evolving rapidly. When setting up the car, it’s important to bear in mind that this track will get faster and faster. Anyone who adapts their car too much to the conditions from the second practice session could find themselves at a disadvantage in qualifying.

World Champion Lando Norris reported over the radio: “The gear changes feel really odd; something’s not right.”

Standings after 10 minutes: Antonelli, Piastri, Leclerc, Hamilton, the astonishing Lindblad and Verstappen – all 22 drivers on Pirelli’s medium-hard tyres (marked in yellow). Haas driver Oliver Bearman made slight contact with his left front wheel – that was a close call!

Work was underway in the McLaren pit; there really was something wrong with the gearbox on Norris’s race car.

At the front, Ferrari ace Charles Leclerc closed the gap to leader Kimi Antonelli to just one thousandth of a second. The Italian tried to counter – and was bumped by Cadillac driver Pérez. Kimi groaned over the radio: “Of course, it’s always the same bloke.”

Whilst Ferrari superstar Lewis Hamilton braked too hard (“I’m having a lot of trouble with the front axle”), Max Verstappen moved into the lead, 50 thousandths faster than Kimi Antonelli.

The drivers had their hands full with their cars, especially in those corners where they had to brake whilst turning in.

Update from McLaren: gearbox change, longer break. At the same time, Verstappen’s fastest time was disallowed because the Red Bull Racing star had strayed too far off the track.

Standings after 20 minutes: Antonelli, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Lindblad, Lawson, Piastri, Verstappen, followed by the Audis of Hülkenberg and Bortoleto.

Good news for Spanish GP fans: Fernando Alonso finally out on track after 25 minutes.

The first drivers put on the soft Pirelli tyres (marked in red). Max Verstappen moved up to third place as a result, but that didn’t last long.

Then Leclerc (on softs) became the new leader, ahead of Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad – though only for a few seconds, as Kimi Antonelli retook the lead, whilst George Russell in the second Mercedes had to abort his attempt. Hamilton moved up to P2, 9 thousandths of a second faster than Leclerc.

And once again, Lewis Hamilton got in the way of an opponent, this time Yuki Tsunoda (“What on earth is that bloke doing?”). Hamilton drew level and made an apologetic gesture.

George Russell was unable to improve on his second attempt on the soft tyres, but Charles Leclerc did – moving up to P2 behind Antonelli.

Then the first crash: a red flag following an accident involving Arvid Lindblad; the 19-year-old Briton was unharmed, but his Racing Bulls car was not. Lindblad had lost control of his car whilst braking. Almost simultaneously, a Red Bull Racing driver crashed into the wall on the left-hand side.

After the enforced break, most drivers completed endurance runs on medium tyres, whilst Verstappen (on soft tyres) complained of stiff steering. The practice session ended without Lando Norris (gearbox change) and without Lindblad (crash).

Top ten: Antonelli, Leclerc, Hamilton, Lindblad, Russell, Verstappen, Piastri, Tsunoda and Ocon; Audi in 12th (Hülkenberg) and 13th (Bortoleto).