Crash festival on Friday
Arvid Lindblad’s accident in FP2 was just the tip of the iceberg. Including the incidents in Formula 2 and Formula 3, there have been six red flags at the Madrid ring so far today.
And the end of the line may not yet have been reached, as the Formula 3 qualifying is still on the schedule…
Read more Formula 1 live ticker: The second practice in Madrid now live!
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Russell: There is still much more in it
George Russell suspects that all drivers held back today. “Undoubtedly, it is a track with very high risk, and I think probably all drivers left themselves a little bit of room today,” said the Mercedes driver.
Meaning: When the drivers go to the limit tomorrow, the times should get faster again. But that of course also increases the risk of accidents…
Wolff: Initially thought of six pit stops
Toto Wolff revealed on Sky that tire degradation today was “incredible.” “After the first session, our strategy director said: six stops,” he reports.
Because the degradation was a hefty eight tenths per lap. “We’ve never seen that before,” said Wolff. But in reality, it probably won’t be that dramatic.
According to Oscar Piastri, graining was also a problem. “It was a nightmare to keep the tires under control despite graining,” he reports, but also says: “Usually it gets better over the weekend.”
However, he fears that McLaren might struggle more than others with this problem.
Warning for Albon
Small side note: As expected, Alexander Albon received a warning because he re-entered the track incorrectly once in FP1 at turn 6. Also a small correction: Arvid Lindblad was only summoned here as a witness, not for his own offense.
No chance for McLaren?
The timesheet on Friday usually never tells the whole story. Still, expert Alexander Wurz believes McLaren will have a hard time this weekend.
“I don’t see McLaren as a contender to fight for pole,” he says on ORF and explains: “On the onboard cameras, you see that the car doesn’t try to build grip when it goes on the throttle, but the rear breaks loose immediately.”
“That means it’s not a mechanically easy car. Maybe aerodynamically top on ‘normal’ tracks, but here it seems rather difficult for the McLaren drivers,” says Wurz.
Oscar Piastri only finished P7 in FP2, Lando Norris did not set a representative lap time due to his gearbox problem.
Overview FP2
Report
Result
Overall result Friday
Photos: F1: Spanish Grand Prix (Madrid) 2026
Open session ticker now!
In ten minutes, the second Formula 1 practice in Madrid will begin, and we will shift the action back to our session ticker for now. So there is a short break here; after the end of the practice, it will continue here as usual with the voices from Friday.
And if you want to know how to watch Formula 1 live during the Spain weekend, you can find out here!
Formula 2 qualifying with three red flags
This is more like what some feared before the weekend. Formula 2 managed to produce three red flags in its just 30-minute qualifying in Madrid. Also, Cadillac’s Colton Herta crashed at the very end.
Fortunately, no one was injured, and the pole went to Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic. Oliver Goethe only finished P15.
Teams plan for Qatar and Abu Dhabi
It is still unclear whether Formula 1 can race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi at the end of the season. “At the moment, we plan to travel there,” emphasizes Permane. After all, the two races are still on the calendar.
If that changes, then plans will have to be adjusted, says the Racing Bulls team boss, who clarifies that there is currently no time pressure to make a decision.
Krack also emphasizes that Formula 1 has already proven several times that it is “flexible.” “You always need a plan B,” he knows. But currently, he also sees the situation quite relaxed.
Thus, today’s press conference ends without major topics or points of contention.
Read more Red Bull explains: This is why we signed Robin Räikkönen
Racing Bulls: Taking our time
It is still open who will drive for the team in 2027. Will it continue with Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson? Permane says in the press conference that it is still “too early” for a decision. The Racing Bulls traditionally announce their pairing a little later in the year.
Ultimately, it is a luxury problem anyway, emphasizes Permane. With Nikola Tsolov, they also have the current championship leader in Formula 2 in reserve.
Next red flag in Formula 2
In Formula 1, everything went smoothly in FP1, but in Formula 2, there was another red flag in qualifying. That makes the third of the day in the two junior series.
Off the track in Madrid, the press conference of the team representatives will continue in ten minutes. The following participants are present today:
Mike Krack (Aston Martin)
Marcin Budkowski (Cadillac)
Alan Permane (Racing Bulls)
If there are exciting statements there, you will read them here as usual.
Albon and Lindblad summoned
There could be trouble after FP1 because they each re-entered the track improperly after going off at turn 6. They now have to answer to the race stewards.
There will probably be a warning, but we will keep an eye on it.
No date yet for Hadjar comeback
Laurent Mekies just revealed on Sky that it was an easy decision to skip Isack Hadjar here again. “He felt not 100 percent fit, and that is the only criterion we follow,” explains the team boss.
Accordingly, it is still unclear when the Frenchman will return to the cockpit. “We have always said that it is a priority for us that he comes back 100 percent fit. It makes no sense to send him to a track like today’s if he doesn’t feel well,” says Mekies.
“We still have some time until Baku. Honestly, his recovery is going smoothly, everything is going according to plan. Some things take their time, and we will take the time before Baku to assess the situation and put him in the simulator,” he announces.
Experts praise drivers
FP1 went (unlike in Formula 3 and Formula 2) without a red flag. Expert Martin Brundle praises on Sky: “I think all drivers drove sensibly because it makes no sense to wreck your car and miss FP2.”
Colleague and ex-Formula 1 driver Anthony Davidson also emphasizes: “I am really impressed by how they tackled this brand-new race track.”
Let’s see if that remains the case in the second practice later.
Perez doubly punished
Cadillac has to pay twice. Sergio Perez was twice too fast in the pit lane in FP1. Once he was clocked at 86.7 km/h, then even once at 96.7. The limit is only 80.
That makes 700 euros once and the maximum penalty of 1,000 euros for the team once. In the race, such an offense is known to result in a sporting penalty.
Alonso rolled out
After the end of FP1, there was a small incident. Fernando Alonso rolled back to the pits after reporting a problem with the car. A bit of work for the Aston mechanics before FP2 in the evening.
Read more Lewis Hamilton makes it clear: Never demanded number 1 status from Ferrari
Overview FP1
Report
Result
