Russell tops Spanish GP first practice while Hamilton draws criticism for impeding
George Russell set the fastest time in Friday's opening practice for the Spanish Grand Prix, leading a Mercedes 1-2, as Lewis Hamilton was involved in several incidents that blocked other drivers.
George Russell recorded the quickest lap of the opening practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madrid circuit, posting a time of 1:34.077 on soft tyres. His teammate Kimi Antonelli was second fastest, giving Mercedes a 1-2 while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc qualified third.
Lewis Hamilton briefly led the session on medium tyres before being overtaken, and later set a 1:34.620 on softs. The seven-time world champion was involved in multiple incidents that slowed other competitors, including Charles Leclerc and Nico Hulkenberg, and drew complaints from fellow drivers.
Arvid Lindblad, who was on a flying lap when he encountered the slower Mercedes and Ferrari cars, expressed frustration over the radio, saying, > "These same two guys, man! Like, I don’t know what they’re doing, they’re just stupid, right in the fast corner! It’s actually very dangerous, it’s been twice now."
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris completed the top six, while rookie Kimi Antonelli impressed with a 1:34.363. Fernando Alonso, racing for Aston Martin, was 15th, ahead of the Haas and Williams entries. Yuki Tsunoda retired with a power-steering failure, and several drivers struggled with tyre choices as the session progressed.