Friday’s first practice session for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid saw the Red Bull and Mercedes drivers once again asserting their pace on the newly opened Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. According to Formula1.com, Max Verstappen topped the timesheet with a lap of 1:28.412, closely followed by Lewis Hamilton, who clocked 1:28.529. The gap between the two front‑row teams remained tight, underscoring the competitive parity that has defined the season so far.
Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc were the fastest in the midfield, posting lap times of 1:29.104 and 1:29.215 respectively. The session also highlighted the challenges teams face on the high‑speed, high‑downforce layout: several drivers, including Lando Norris and George Russell, experienced tyre degradation that forced them to adjust their running strategies. Mercedes’ team principal confirmed that the power unit’s reliability remains a priority as the race approaches, citing the need to balance performance with durability on the demanding Spanish circuit.
The second practice session, also covered live by Formula1.com, saw a shift in focus as teams began to test race‑spec tyres and longer fuel loads. Verstappen maintained his lead with a 1:28.847 lap, while Hamilton’s 1:28.962 was only marginally slower. Notably, the session revealed that McLaren’s new aerodynamic package is delivering a measurable improvement in cornering speed, with Carlos Sainz posting a 1:29.378 lap that was the fastest among the non‑front‑row teams.
For Indian fans, the Spanish GP will be broadcast live on FanCode at 7:30 PM IST, with commentary in Hindi and English. The practice sessions give teams a crucial window to refine their setups, and the data gathered will be instrumental in shaping the race strategy. As the weekend progresses, keep an eye on the evolving tyre strategies and the impact of the new aero regulations on the teams’ performance.
Source: Formula1.com
