Mercedes Shocks at Spanish GP FP1: Russell Leads, Hamilton Controversial for Impeding

The first practice session (FP1) of the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix at the brand-new Madring circuit delivered major surprises. Mercedes locked out the top two positions, with George Russell setting the fastest lap, while Lewis Hamilton – despite not completing a proper soft-tyre run – made headlines for impeding multiple drivers, sparking a radio outburst from rookie Arvid Lindblad. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) could only manage fifth, and Lando Norris (McLaren) sixth, suggesting a potential shake-up in the competitive order. Russell posted the quickest time of 1 minute 34.077 seconds, 0.286s ahead of new teammate Kimi Antonelli, who impressed on his first official FP1 outing for Mercedes. Hamilton, whose best time (1m34.620s) came on medium tyres, was faster than many rivals on softs, indicating Mercedes may have found a special setup for the new track. However, Hamilton was also at the center of controversy for impeding at least three drivers: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber), and Arvid Lindblad (Red Bull junior). On team radio, Lindblad famously complained: 'He’s not looking at all! Unbelievable!' – a clip that immediately went viral. While grid penalties are unlikely for practice infringements, Hamilton could face a fine or reprimand. Red Bull had a muted session, with Verstappen fifth and Sergio Perez ninth. McLaren also struggled, Norris sixth and Piastri eighth. Home hero Fernando Alonso placed 15th, which Aston Martin deemed 'encouraging' given recent struggles. Yuki Tsunoda's power steering failure raised reliability concerns for Racing Bulls. Context: Madring is a new addition to the F1 calendar, forcing teams to start from scratch on setup. FP1 lap times are unreliable due to unknown fuel loads and engine modes. The real picture will emerge in FP2, when teams run race simulations. Still, Mercedes' one-lap pace is a positive sign after a difficult season. Russell said: 'The car feels great from the first lap. We need to keep this momentum.' But experts warn against over-optimism – other teams may have run different engine settings. Hamilton's impeding also raised questions about intra-team dynamics at Ferrari, as both he and new teammate Leclerc were involved in incidents. Though minor, it could create unnecessary friction. In summary, FP1 has given fans plenty to talk about: Mercedes' unexpected resurgence, the performances of youngsters Antonelli and Lindblad, and Hamilton's rare lack of focus. All eyes will be on FP2 to confirm whether Mercedes is truly back or just a mirage.