2026 F1 Spanish GP FP2: Highlights and Reaction

Welcome to Total-Motorsport.com for live coverage of FP2 at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP, as Formula 1 returns to the Madring for a second hour of running after George Russell set the pace in the circuit’s first-ever Formula 1 practice session.

Russell led a Mercedes one-two in FP1 with a 1:34.077, finishing 0.286 seconds ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton followed in third and fourth for Ferrari, putting the two leading teams firmly at the front of the early picture. Reuters

Max Verstappen was fifth for Red Bull Racing, with Lando Norris sixth for McLaren. Arvid Lindblad, Oscar Piastri, Nico Hulkenberg and Liam Lawson completed the top 10.

FP2 should provide a more representative picture of the competitive order, with teams now armed with their first real data from the 5.414km Madring. Low-fuel Soft tyre runs and longer race simulations are expected to become more prominent as the focus shifts from simply learning the circuit to understanding performance.

2026 F1 Spanish GP FP2 LIVE: Latest Updates

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RESULTS: Antonelli tees up Meredes for pole

Kimi Antonelli topped FP2 at the 2026 Spanish GP as Mercedes remained at the front of the order on the opening day at Madrid’s Madring, setting a 1:33.662 on the soft tyre to finish 0.113 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, with Lewis Hamilton just 0.036s behind.

Arvid Lindblad produced another impressive performance for Racing Bulls to finish fourth despite crashing later in the session, whilst George Russell rounded out the Top 5.

Here are the complete Free Practice 2 results:

Pos	Driver	Team	Time
1	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	1:33.662
2	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.113
3	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+0.149
4	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+0.228
5	George Russell	Mercedes	+0.337
6	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+0.401
7	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+0.538
8	Yuki Tsunoda	Racing Bulls	+1.096
9	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+1.205
10	Liam Lawson	Red Bull	+1.276
11	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.297
12	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	+1.398
13	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	+1.508
14	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+1.541
15	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+2.224
16	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+2.629
17	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+3.118
18	Alexander Albon	Williams	+3.274
19	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	+3.533
20	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+3.611
21	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	+4.065
22	Lando Norris	McLaren	No time

CHEQUERED FLAG: Antonelli tops FP2

The second Free Practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix comes to an end with Lewis Hamilton trying to overtake Lance Stroll with a dive down the inside.

Stroll is more than compliant but Hamilton get’s a whack from the kerbs for extra measure and unsettles the car. Will he fancy a move there on Sunday?

Kimi Antonelli tops the times with a 1:33.662 for Mercedes to leave himself just over a tenth ahead of the Ferrari drivers, setting the stage for Mercedes to fight Ferrari through the weekend.

3 minutes to go: Piastri bails out!

Oscar Piastri is forced to bail out of a push-lap due to two cars going slowly ahead of him into a tight corner, forcing the McLaren to take to an escape road.

Frustrated, the Australian pauses for a second and then spins his car around and lays down some rubber before continuing on his way around the Madring.

It’s been a difficult session for McLaren with Piastri in seventh and Norris requiring a gearbox change.

8 minutes to go: Mistake by Leclerc

The Ferrari drivers continue struggling for front-end grip on the SF-26 as Charles Leclerc locks up on the entry of Turn 6 and has to skip over the chicane.

He’s still second in the timing boards and 0.113s off-the-pace set by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, but that last lap will not count.

What can Lewis Hamilton do for the Scuderia?

13 minutes to go: GREEN FLAG

Arvid Lindblad’s car is cleared and we have the green flag for the final stages of Free Practice 2 at the Spanish Grand Prix with cars coming back onto the circuit.

Will we have any late changes to the timing order or will the big teams have switched their focus at the Madring to some final long-run simulations?

Stay tuned with Total-Motorsport.com!

20 minutes to go: Red Flag – Your order under the stoppage

We’re still awaiting a resumption after Arvid Lindblad’s crash for Racing Bulls, but that gives us the chance to look at the order in Free Practice 2.

Kimi Antonelli leads the timing boards by 0.113s to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and 0.149s to Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes hold a slim edge over their rivals.

Lando Norris is still without a time as McLaren change his gearbox over an undisclosed issue.

Pos	Driver	Team	Time
1	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	1:33.662
2	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.113
3	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+0.149
4	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+0.228
5	George Russell	Mercedes	+0.337
6	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+0.401
7	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+0.538
8	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+1.205
9	Liam Lawson	Red Bull	+1.276
10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.297
11	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	+1.398
12	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	+1.508
13	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+1.541
14	Yuki Tsunoda	Racing Bulls	+1.746
15	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+2.224
16	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+2.629
17	Alexander Albon	Williams	+3.274
18	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	+3.533
19	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+3.611
20	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	+4.065
21	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+33.587
22	Lando Norris	McLaren	No Time

24 minutes to go: Red Flag – Lindblad crashes

The first red flag of the Madring is here for our 22 Formula 1 drivers as Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad loses control and finds the wall at the exit of Turn 17.

The British-Indian driver lost control on the entry to the corner and that is his afternoon over as the clock continues ticking down.

That’s a setback for the 19-year-old!

28 minutes to go: Hamilton impeding once again

Lewis Hamilton isn’t making many friends with the 21 drivers around him as he gets in the way of Yuki Tsunoda through La Monumental/Turn 12.

He got in the way of Carlos Sainz earlier on by hanging around in the middle of the track rather than committing clearly to one side of the Madring’s layout.

If the Ferrari driver doesn’t sort this out, then he’s a prime bet to land an impeding penalty on Saturday.

30 minutes to go: Strong time by Antonelli

Kimi Antonelli doesn’t optimise his lap around the Madring but it is still good enough to keep the 20-year-old championship leader firmly at the top of the times.

He is 0.149s ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari in second with Charles Leclerc in third, meaning the Silver Arrows look to be the package to beat over one lap!

Can anyone nip ahead of the Italian?

34 minutes to go: Qualifying laps due up shortly

Liam Lawson and Max Verstappen have a set of red-walled soft tyres on, indicating fans at the Madring are due to be treated to some qualifying simulations!

Kimi Antonelli’s current time-topping effort sits at a 1:33.926 so how much faster will teams manage to go over the next handful of minutes?

Confidence over one lap will be vital on Saturday.

38 minutes to go: Gearbox change confirmed for Norris

The back of the car is off at McLaren and the team have confirmed that Lando Norris will need a gearbox change if he hopes to get back into Free Practice 2!

The defending Formula 1 world champion is set to lose a lot of time in this vital session ahead of Saturday’s Qualifying session – and at a new circuit!

He is firmly on the back foot now this Spanish GP weekend.

42 minutes to go: Mercedes recover Madring 1-2

Kimi Antonelli is now at the top of the times once again for Mercedes with a 1:33.926 to lead George Russell by 0.099, with Ferrari quite a way behind the Silver Arrows.

The Scuderia’s Charles Leclerc is in third but over half-a-second behind the pair ahead, whilst Lewis Hamilton is in fifth. Can Maranello find more performance?

Max Verstappen had his lap time deleted for track limits at Turn 17.

45 minutes to go: Your times as Hamilton has nervy moment

Welcome Max Verstappen! The Red Bull driver has found the time needed to go to the top of the pile with a 1:34.378 to pip Kimi Antonelli by 0.050 with Charles Leclerc 0.0001 behind the Mercedes in third.

Lewis Hamilton locks up and runs deep into Turn 17 and just avoids smashing into the barrier for Ferrari as he continues to find the very limit of performance.

Here is your order after 15 minutes:

Pos	Driver	Team	Gap
1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1:34.378
2	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+0.050
3	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.051
4	George Russell	Mercedes	+0.140
5	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+0.447
6	Liam Lawson	Red Bull	+0.703
7	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+0.721
8	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+0.759
9	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+1.531
10	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+1.554
11	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.576
12	Yuki Tsunoda	Racing Bulls	+1.744
13	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+1.764
14	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	+1.775
15	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	+1.931
16	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	+3.133
17	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+3.389
18	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+3.800
19	Alexander Albon	Williams	+4.569
20	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	+5.638
21	Lando Norris	McLaren	No Time
22	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	No Time

50 minutes to go: Antonelli leads Mercedes 1-2

Kimi Antonelli leads the way for Mercedes with an early 1-2 at the Spanish Grand Prix as the Italian finds himself 0.204s ahead of George Russell, with Lewis Hamilton in third.

His 1:34.428 is the early benchmark for the field to chase, but expect the times to continue falling at the Madring as drivers unlock more and more time.

Meanwhile Ollie Bearman tags the wall at Turn 17 for Haas but all appears okay after he clipped his front-left.

55 minutes to go: Issues for Lando Norris!

Lando Norris is coming back into the pit lane with an apparent gearbox issue on his McLaren MCL40 and the defending Formula 1 world champion is already out of the car.

The Brit hasn’t even put a lap on the board but is already facing a major setback at the Spanish Grand Prix weekend with David Beckham watching on!

Can he get back into Free Practice 2?

GREEN FLAG: Free Practice 2 begins in Spain

Yuki Tsunoda is the first car out of the long pit lane for Racing Bulls as the Japanese driver aims to make up for the lost time in Free Practice 1 with a steering issue.

The Ferrari of Charles Leclerc is quickly out, as is George Russell too for Mercedes.

Will the Prancing Horse beat the Silver Arrows in FP2?

What to Watch in a lap of the Madring

For FP2 at the Madring, several sections of the lap should provide a useful indication of how the cars are performing. The focus will be on braking stability, cornering confidence and traction, particularly where mistakes can quickly compromise a lap.

The fastest corners and major braking zones will also reveal which teams have the strongest overall package. Drivers will be looking for a car that can generate enough downforce through the technical sections without sacrificing straight-line speed.

• Turn 1 braking zone – One of the clearest overtaking opportunities, making braking stability and straight-line speed important.
• Turns 4–5 – A technical section where front-end grip, rotation and traction will be key.
• Turn 8 – The uphill, blind entry makes this a major confidence test.
• Turn 12/La Monumental – The heavily banked, high-speed corner should be one of the biggest indicators of car balance and downforce.

How does FP2 work?

Free Practice 2 (FP2) is the second one-hour practice session of a standard Formula 1 weekend. It allows teams to refine their setups and gather important data before qualifying and the race.

Whilst he FP2 timing sheets do not always show the true competitive order because teams can run different fuel loads, tyres and programmes.

However, it is usually one of the most informative sessions of the weekend. Teams typically use FP2 for:

• Qualifying simulations – low-fuel runs on the softest tyres to assess one-lap pace.
• Long runs – higher-fuel stints to understand race pace and tyre degradation.
• Tyre testing – comparing different compounds and monitoring how quickly performance drops away.
• Car setup – adjusting aerodynamics, suspension and ride height to improve balance.
• Race preparation – gathering data on fuel consumption, tyre temperatures and degradation.

What to expect from FP2?

FP2 should provide a clearer picture of the competitive order at the Spanish GP, with teams expected to focus more heavily on qualifying pace and long-run performance.

Mercedes will look to build on George Russell leading FP1 ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli, while Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull aim to close the gap.

Soft-tyre runs should offer the first meaningful comparison between the leading teams, while longer runs will reveal more about tyre degradation and race pace.

Teams will also use the session to fine-tune setup changes and understand how the Madring behaves over longer stints – and with blind corners, walls and limited run-off, drivers will need to avoid costly mistakes while continuing to learn the new circuit.

The session should also provide a clearer indication of whether Mercedes has a genuine advantage or whether Ferrari can respond as conditions evolve.

Welcome to the Blog!

Drivers and teams have now had an hour to acclimatise to the new Madring circuit, make set-up changes and dissect how they can imrpove thier lap times.

So will we see a big leap forwards in Free Practice 2? Particularly from McLaren, who found themselves languishing behind Ferrari and Mercedes early on Friday?

Find out here with Total-Motorsport.com!

Russell and Mercedes set first Madring benchmark

Russell adapted quickest to Formula 1’s newest circuit, putting Mercedes on top during an FP1 session that remained largely free of the interruptions many had expected. His 1:34.077 became the first meaningful Formula 1 benchmark around Madring and left him almost three tenths clear of Antonelli.

That result continued the strong form shown by Mercedes during the opening part of the season, but FP2 should reveal much more about the W17’s real advantage. FP1 was dominated by circuit learning, track evolution and different run programmes, making direct comparisons difficult.

Antonelli nevertheless begins the second session from a strong position after completing the Mercedes one-two. The championship leader enters Madrid 66 points ahead of Russell, but his teammate’s early pace suggests the intra-team battle could be one of the main themes of the weekend.

Neither driver can afford to become too focused on the timing screens just yet. Engineers will be far more interested in whether the balance remains predictable as fuel loads change and grip improves through the afternoon.

Ferrari remain close after encouraging FP1

Ferrari also made an encouraging start, with Leclerc third and Hamilton fourth after the opening hour. Only 0.084 seconds separated the two Scuderia drivers, although both were more than four tenths away from Russell’s benchmark.

That still represents a useful platform heading into FP2, particularly after a Monza weekend that promised more than it ultimately delivered. Madring’s combination of fast sections, slower corners and heavy braking zones should provide a broader test of the Ferrari package.

Leclerc appeared comfortable enough during FP1 to remain within the leading group as drivers gradually built confidence. His ability to attack technical circuits could become increasingly important as the racing line develops and braking references become more settled.

Hamilton was similarly competitive, and FP2 should give him a better opportunity to assess the car over longer stints. Race pace may prove especially significant at a venue where overtaking is expected to be difficult and track position could carry extra value.

Verstappen searches for more after fifth in FP1

Verstappen finished FP1 fifth, 0.626 seconds behind Russell, giving Red Bull Racing a solid if unspectacular start to the weekend. The Dutchman had already suggested before running began that the uncertainty surrounding Madring could create opportunities for a less predictable competitive order.

FP2 will begin to show whether Red Bull can turn that possibility into genuine pace. The team need to understand whether the RB22 can remain stable through the faster sections while still rotating effectively through Madring’s slower corners.

The new circuit places particular emphasis on driver confidence because walls and barriers sit close to the track in several sections. Verstappen will want to increase his commitment without compromising the clean mileage that remains so valuable on Friday.

Lawson also made a promising start by finishing 10th in the second Red Bull car. Another clean session would allow the team to compare setup directions more effectively before Saturday.

Norris and McLaren look for a step in FP2

Norris ended FP1 sixth, 0.870 seconds away from the top, while Piastri was eighth and just over a second behind Russell. Those positions leave McLaren slightly further from the front than they would have wanted after emerging as a major threat during recent races.

The gap should not be interpreted too heavily after just one hour at a completely new circuit. Different fuel loads, tyre use and the rapid improvement of the track surface all make FP1 times particularly difficult to compare.

FP2 should therefore be far more informative for Norris and Piastri. Qualifying simulations on the Soft tyre will reveal whether the MCL40 can close the gap over one lap, while longer runs should provide the first serious indication of race pace.

The Madring’s varied layout could still play to McLaren’s strengths if the team can find the correct compromise. Strong balance through linked corners has been one of the car’s better characteristics during the second half of the season.

Lindblad impresses in opening Madrid session

Lindblad produced one of the standout midfield performances of FP1 by taking seventh for Racing Bulls. His 1:35.033 put him less than a tenth behind Norris and ahead of Piastri, an encouraging start at a circuit every driver was learning simultaneously.

That lack of previous Formula 1 experience at Madring arguably reduces the usual advantage held by the established frontrunners. Drivers who adapt quickly can make a bigger early impression when nobody has years of setup knowledge or muscle memory to rely upon.

Lindblad did encounter one of FP1’s most persistent problems, with traffic becoming a recurring frustration around the lap. He was among the drivers unhappy with slower cars during the session, underlining how difficult qualifying preparation could become on Saturday. Reuters

FP2 will reveal whether his seventh place represented genuine performance or simply a particularly well-executed opening session. Either way, Racing Bulls have a useful baseline to build upon.

Audi begin weekend inside the top 10

Hulkenberg placed ninth for Audi, only 0.010 seconds ahead of Lawson, while teammate Gabriel Bortoleto was 11th. The pair were separated by just over a tenth, giving Audi a relatively balanced start.

At a brand-new circuit, that consistency can be particularly valuable because it gives engineers two useful sets of data to compare. FP2 will allow Audi to move beyond basic circuit learning and begin refining the car for Saturday.

The midfield remains tightly packed enough that small improvements could transform the order. A few tenths may separate a Q3 contender from a driver vulnerable to elimination in Q1.

Long-run consistency could also matter more than headline pace. Teams that manage tyre temperatures well on Madring’s fresh surface may gain considerably as the weekend progresses.

Alonso and Sainz endure difficult opening session

The first Formula 1 session at Madring was more challenging for two of Spain’s home favourites. Fernando Alonso finished 15th for Aston Martin after grazing the wall, while Madrid-born Carlos Sainz could manage only 17th for Williams.

Neither result is necessarily alarming given how much drivers were still learning during FP1. Both teams will now have considerably more information available as they adjust setups before the afternoon session.

Sainz in particular will want a stronger showing at his home event after attracting significant attention throughout the build-up to Formula 1’s return to Madrid. FP2 offers the first chance to turn that emotion into a more representative competitive performance.

Alonso will similarly hope Aston Martin can find more pace as grip improves. The team need to understand whether the opening deficit was primarily setup-related or reflects a more fundamental weakness around Madring.

Traffic emerges as early Madring concern

One issue became clear almost immediately during FP1: traffic could become a major factor throughout the weekend. Several drivers complained about being impeded, with the layout making it difficult for slower cars to move aside without compromising somebody else’s lap.

The problem could become even more pronounced during qualifying-style runs in FP2. Drivers need enough space to prepare their tyres but also have limited opportunities to create large gaps around a busy circuit.

La Monumental is one area attracting particular attention because drivers carry considerable speed through the long banked section. Meeting a slower car there can immediately compromise a timed lap.

Teams will begin developing procedures during FP2 that could prove crucial on Saturday. Finding the right place to back off and create space may become almost as important as tyre preparation itself.

Track evolution remains a major variable

The Madring surface should continue changing rapidly during the afternoon as more rubber is laid down. FP1 provided the first meaningful Formula 1 running around the new circuit, meaning grip levels remain far less established than at conventional venues.

That creates a challenge when evaluating setup changes. A car improving by several tenths may simply be benefiting from a faster track rather than a successful engineering adjustment.

Teams will therefore rely heavily on telemetry and comparisons between drivers rather than looking only at lap times. Consistent corner-by-corner data will be particularly important while the surface continues evolving.

FP2’s later start also means track and air temperatures will differ from the opening session. That gives engineers another useful set of conditions to study before the weekend moves into Saturday.

Long runs become increasingly important

FP1 was primarily about learning Madring and establishing whether simulator predictions matched reality. FP2 should place greater emphasis on understanding how the tyres behave across longer stints.

There is no previous Grand Prix data from the circuit, leaving teams without the historical degradation information they normally use when planning Friday programmes. Every long run therefore carries additional strategic value.

Drivers will be watching for overheating, graining and changes in balance as fuel burns away. Those trends will help teams establish whether Sunday’s race is likely to favour longer stints or more aggressive pit-stop strategies.

The smooth surface may reduce some forms of tyre stress, but the banked La Monumental section adds unusual loading. Engineers will be particularly interested in how tyre temperatures respond through that part of the lap.

Soft tyre simulations should reveal more

FP2 is also likely to produce the first genuinely representative qualifying simulations of the weekend. Most teams should spend part of the session on the Soft tyre with lower fuel, allowing the competitive order to become clearer.

Russell’s FP1 advantage will therefore come under greater scrutiny. If Mercedes retain a similar margin during the Soft tyre runs, rivals will have more reason to believe the W17 is genuinely the car to beat in Madrid.

Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and McLaren should all have more performance to uncover as their drivers grow increasingly comfortable with the layout. A new circuit typically produces significant lap-time improvements between the first and second sessions.

The timing screens could consequently change quickly. FP2 should be viewed less as an extension of FP1 and more as the first session where teams begin pushing towards the limits of Madring.

What to watch in Spanish GP FP2

• Russell’s attempt to stay fastest after leading FP1
• Antonelli’s response after completing a Mercedes one-two
• Leclerc and Hamilton’s challenge for Ferrari
• Verstappen’s efforts to bring Red Bull Racing closer to the front
• Norris and Piastri’s search for more pace with McLaren
• Lindblad’s attempt to build on an impressive seventh place
• Hulkenberg and Bortoleto’s pace for Audi
• Alonso’s recovery after brushing the wall in FP1
• Sainz’s search for improvement at his home Madrid event
• Soft tyre qualifying simulations
• Long-run pace as teams gather their first meaningful race data
• Traffic management around the new circuit
• La Monumental as drivers increase their commitment
• Track evolution throughout the afternoon
• Tyre degradation on the new Madring asphalt
• Setup changes after the first hour of Formula 1 running
• Braking stability as drivers refine their references
• Driver confidence as speeds continue to rise

With Russell leading Antonelli in an early Mercedes one-two and Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and McLaren chasing behind, FP2 should provide a far clearer indication of the real competitive order at Formula 1’s newest venue. The first session was about discovering Madring, but the second should begin revealing who genuinely has the pace to fight at the front.

Stay with Total-Motorsport.com for live lap times, Soft tyre simulations, long-run pace, technical updates and all the key moments from FP2 at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP in Madrid.