2026 Spanish Grand Prix: Russell fastest in FP1 reports

Reports from Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans said George Russell led first practice at Madring, with RaceFans reporting a Mercedes one-two.

George Russell was reported fastest in first practice for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit. Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans all said the Mercedes driver set the pace in the first official Formula 1 session at the venue, while RaceFans reported a Mercedes one-two. Russell came into the weekend second in the drivers' championship on 201 points, and the Briton has seven wins from 161 Formula 1 starts.

Autosport and Motorsport.com also reported that 20 of the 22 cars were on track within the first 100 seconds of the session. Both outlets said Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto were among those to emerge later, and Motorsport.com reported that Lewis Hamilton impeded several drivers.

The session remains an early reported marker rather than a confirmed indicator for the rest of the weekend. Mercedes arrived with 138 wins and eight titles across 19 Formula 1 seasons.