George Russell dominates the start of the Spanish Grand Prix at the Madrid circuit
British driver George Russell, representing the Mercedes team, set the pace during the first free practice session at the innovative semi-urban circuit in Madrid. This track, which hosts the fourteenth Grand Prix of the Formula One season, saw Russell position himself at the top of the timesheets from the start of track activity.
On his fastest lap, the Briton completed the 5,416 meters of the circuit in a time of one minute, 34 seconds and 77 thousandths. With this record, he beat his teammate, the Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the world championship, by 286 thousandths. For his part, the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, at the wheel of his Ferrari, took third position after a solid performance on soft tires.
Performance of Spanish-speaking drivers
The day presented significant challenges for the local representatives. Fernando Alonso, with Aston Martin, recorded the fifteenth fastest time, placing two seconds and 396 thousandths off the lead. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, who competes for Williams, closed the session in seventeenth position, with a difference of two seconds and 793 thousandths compared to Russell.
Regarding Latin American representation, the Argentine Franco Colapinto had an outstanding performance with Alpine, finishing in thirteenth place, one second and 856 thousandths behind the leader. On the other hand, the Mexican Sergio Pérez, at the wheel of his Cadillac, concluded the session at the bottom of the table, with a difference of more than four seconds compared to the reference time.
Activity on the Madrid asphalt will continue this very afternoon, when the teams return to the track to contest the second free practice session, scheduled for 5:00 p.m. local time.
Featured session classification
- George Russell (Mercedes): 1:34.077
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): +0.286
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): +0.459
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine): +1.856
