F1 heads to its first new circuit in three years as a street circuit in Madrid hosts the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time.
Kimi Antonelli is riding the highest of waves after his sensational victory from 19th on the grid in Monza. The Italian now has a 66-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell in second, with a scheduled 10 rounds remaining of the 2026 season.
Lewis Hamilton cut a frustrated figure post-race in Monza after his sixth-place finish and declared himself out of the title race. Nevertheless, he remains in third place, 76 points off Antonelli, and will be eyeing a return to top form this weekend. Max Verstappen completed the Monza podium, as he continues to chase his first victory in 2026.
Madrid’s new street track, the Madring, has 22 corners and an iconic turn 12, christened ‘La Monumental’, with menacing steep banking. It will represent a home race for Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso and replaces Barcelona as the host of the Spanish GP on a 10-year deal.
Follow live updates from the Spanish Grand Prix with The Independent
Hamilton crash
Replays show Hamilton simply locked up at the final turn!
Against his engineer’s wishes to stop, the Briton was looking to get the car back to the pit-lane but he’s finally stopped in the final sector.
Ah dear.
Kieran Jackson12 September 2026 11:56
Hamilton crashes
The Ferrari driver is in the wall at turn 22!
He reverses out and continues, but with severe damage to his Ferrari car.
Engineer: “Stop the car.”
Hamilton: “The car is going.”
Kieran Jackson12 September 2026 11:54
Problems for Williams
Moments after Albon hits the wall, home hero Carlos Sainz locks up in the final sector and takes one of the rare run-off areas on this circuit.
The Williams pairing just struggling to find their rhythm early on.
Both Ferraris are now out – and both are top of the standings. Hamilton clear by a tenth.
Kieran Jackson12 September 2026 11:48
Half the cars out on track right now
Slow progress so far this morning, with 11 cars still in the garages.
Among those out on track is Alex Albon, who had a brief touch of the wall on his push lap.
The top two thus far are the Audi pairing of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Kieran Jackson12 September 2026 11:42
Top-10 – driver standings
Kimi Antonelli’s lead is 66 points.
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 267 points
2. George Russell (Mercedes) – 201 points
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 191 points
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 171 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 155 points
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 127 points
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 115 points
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 71 points
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 51 points
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 41 points
Kieran Jackson12 September 2026 11:33
FP3 underway
So we are a go for the third and final practice session of the weekend.
A key one, too, given this is a new circuit and the drivers will want as much info as possible heading into qualifying later.
That being said, typically at the start of FP3, no immediate action in the pit-lane.
Kieran Jackson12 September 2026 11:30
PREVIEW: Welcome to the Madring – the ‘car-killer’ circuit
“When I heard there were 20 red flags in the F3 test [in August], I was surprised,” began George Russell, as the Mercedes driver gave his verdict on the new ‘Madring’ circuit hosting the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time this weekend. “But when I tried out the simulator and saw where the red flags were on the track, I was surprised that there were only 20 red flags.”
“It’s a crazy circuit: the most risky on the whole calendar.”
Full piece below:
Welcome to the ‘car-killer’ Madring: F1’s ‘craziest circuit’ debuts this weekend
Hosting the Spanish Grand Prix, the 22-turn street circuit is described as a mix of Baku’s tight and Jeddah’s rapid corners and will pose a big challenge this weekendKieran Jackson12 September 2026 11:28
What are the start times this weekend?
Times BST
Saturday 12 September
- Free practice 3: 11:30am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 13 September
- Race: 2pm
Kieran Jackson12 September 2026 11:25
F1 Spanish Grand Prix
Welcome to live coverage of day two at the Spanish Grand Prix!
F1 heads to its first new circuit in three years as a street circuit in Madrid hosts the Spanish Grand Prix for the first time.
Kimi Antonelli is riding the highest of waves after his sensational victory from 19th on the grid in Monza. The Italian now has a 66-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell in second, with a scheduled 10 rounds remaining in the 2026 season.
Lewis Hamilton cut a frustrated figure post-race in Monza after his sixth-place finish and declared himself out of the title race. Nevertheless, he remains in third place, 76 points off Antonelli, and will be eyeing a return to top form this weekend. Max Verstappen completed the Monza podium, as he continues to chase his first victory in 2026.
Madrid’s new street track, the Madring, has 22 corners and an iconic turn 12, christened ‘La Monumental’, with menacing steep banking. It will be a home race for Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso and it replaces Barcelona as the host of the Spanish GP on a 10-year deal.
Kieran Jackson12 September 2026 11:22