Luck defeated Lando Norris in 2026's Spanish GP. But the beneficiary of the race's key swing - Kimi Antonelli - put himself in place to win.

Fears of crashes and red flags failed to materialise, but F1’s first race at Madrid’s Madring circuit became a dull procession that some drivers said nearly sent them to sleep.

The championship leader finished at the front of the first day of activity in Madrid, after Russell dominated FP1. Ferrari also showed good pace, while Lindblad caused the first red flag of F1 at the new circuit.

Formula 1’s latest venue might be fun to drive, but the race was processional and dull.

“The most important (thing) for all of us,” Aston Martin trackside engineering lead, Mike Krack, said on Thursday, “and this applies to every team, including competitors, is that we need to have the wheels turning in FP1 and FP2, so that we can optimize the car.”

Lewis Hamilton has admitted that his 2026 F1 title bid is all but over after suffering a Lap 7 DNF at the Spanish GP. Lining up in fourth at the all-new Madring, Hamilton quickly encountered brake issues that left him out of the race,

MADRID (AP) — There was just nothing Lando Norris could do to prevent victory at the Spanish Grand Prix from slipping away from him. The virtual safety car was deployed at the worst possible time, and Norris knew right away he wouldn't stay in the lead for much longer.