Full Breakdown
Antonelli Tops Final Practice as Hamilton and Bearman Crash at Madrid’s New Madring Circuit
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 12, the final free-practice session (FP3) for the 2026 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the new 5.4-km Madring circuit was halted twice by red-flag incidents. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) locked-up at the final corner, crashed into the TecPro barrier and stopped with a damaged front wing and a punctured tyre. The session was stopped again when Oliver Bearman (Haas) spun into the barrier with less than a minute remaining. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) posted the fastest lap – 1:32.797 – and led the final classification.
Background & Context
Madring is the first new Formula 1 venue since Las Vegas in 2023. The 22-turn hybrid street-track combines public roads with a purpose-built loop around the IFEMA exhibition centre, returning Grand Prix racing to the Madrid region after a 45-year hiatus.
Timeline
- September 11 – FP1: George Russell (Mercedes) fastest (1:34.077).
- September 11 – FP2: Andrea Kimi Antonelli 1:33.662, 0.113 s ahead of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). Red flag after Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) crashed at Turn 13.
- September 12 – FP3 start: early laps see Leclerc briefly on top.
- ~20 min into FP3 – Hamilton crashes at the final corner, prompting a red flag and barrier repairs.
- 15:38 remaining – Session clock frozen to preserve running time.
- 13:32 local time – Session resumes; drivers improve times.
- Final minute – Bearman crashes at Turn 11; session ends under red flag.
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Fastest lap (FP3) | 1:32.797 – Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) |
| Gap to 2nd (Leclerc) | 0.166 s (some reports list 0.100 s) |
| Red-flag periods | Two (Hamilton crash; Bearman crash) |
| Clock freeze duration | ~30 min (repairs) |
| Drivers on the top-five | Antonelli, Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen |
| Total drivers who set a time | 22 (including two who did not set a time) |
Why It Matters
The interruptions cut on-track time for teams to fine-tune setups before qualifying, a session expected to be decisive on a circuit that offers little margin for error. Mercedes’ dominance in practice positions Antonelli as the favourite for pole, while Ferrari remains within striking distance. The crashes highlight safety concerns on a track where walls lie only metres from the racing line.
Official Statements & Responses
- Fred Vasseur, Ferrari team principal, warned that “overtaking will be difficult here” and stressed the importance of qualifying performance.
- The FIA race director ordered the session clock to be frozen at 15 minutes 38 seconds to ensure teams retained sufficient practice time after the barrier repairs.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local marshals spent over half an hour repairing the TecPro barrier after Hamilton’s impact. Both Hamilton and Bearman emerged unharmed, but their cars required extensive work before qualifying.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact gap between Antonelli and Leclerc: Sky Sports and Reuters list a 0.166-second difference, while Grand Premio reports a 0.100-second gap. No official timing sheet has been released to reconcile the discrepancy.
What’s Next
Qualifying is scheduled for the afternoon of September 12.