Mercedes dominated the first free practice session of the 2026 Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix on a circuit known as Madring. George Russell set the best time, with 1.34.077, ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli, thus ensuring the German team's dominance in the opening session.
The Ferraris finished half a second behind the Mercedes, occupying positions further back in the provisional classification. The Italian team failed to match the pace set by the Mercedes drivers during this first practice.
Max Verstappen completed the provisional top five, appearing competitive but still distant from the leaders' times. The Red Bull driver is looking to regain ground after a season in which Mercedes has shown great competitiveness.
The session took place without incidents, with the new Madring layout making its debut without problems. The start of the GP weekend went smoothly and without interruptions, allowing the teams to collect important data for the rest of the competition weekend.
