Spanish Grand Prix 2026: Antonelli leads, Lindblad crashes
British rookie Arvid Lindblad crashed his Racing Bulls car during practice at the Spanish Grand Prix 2026, as Kimi Antonelli set the pace in Madrid.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- British rookie Arvid Lindblad finished fourth fastest in Friday practice.
- Lindblad lost control at Turn 13, damaging his front and rear suspension.
- Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes topped the timesheets in Madrid.
- Lando Norris failed to set a time due to a gearbox issue in his McLaren.
The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix weekend in Madrid encountered early drama as British rookie Arvid Lindblad crashed his Racing Bulls machine during Friday practice. The incident occurred shortly after the 19-year-old delivered an impressive performance, temporarily clocking the fourth-fastest time of the session.
The young driver lost control of his car approaching Turn 13, causing it to slide sideways before making heavy contact with the barrier. The impact broke his front wing and caused significant structural damage to both his front and rear suspension systems, forcing his team into heavy repair work.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Despite the accident, Lindblad's earlier lap time secured him fourth place in the session. He finished just 0.228 seconds behind pace-setter Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, highlighting the raw speed and potential of the teenager amidst the challenging new street-style layout in the Spanish capital.
Meanwhile, Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton secured the second and third positions respectively, staying within a tenth of a second behind Antonelli. In contrast, reigning world champion Lando Norris endured a frustrating session in his McLaren, failing to log a single timed lap due to an unexpected gearbox malfunction.
Bringing Formula 1 to the football-obsessed city of Madrid introduces unique technical and logistical challenges for the teams. The circuit features demanding high-speed swerves and tricky corners, drawing comparisons to fast street circuits like Jeddah. Drivers must navigate specific trouble spots such as Turns 5, 7, and 17 carefully to avoid sliding off into the run-off areas.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Drivers have noted the distinct characteristics of the Madrid track layout, emphasizing the need for absolute precision through its high-speed sequences. As teams gather crucial data during practice, managing car setup and avoiding costly errors will be paramount for Sunday's main race.
Source: BBC Sport
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