Watch Spanish Grand Prix - Practice 1 — Formula 1 Free.

What's at Stake

Formula 1 enters a historic new era as the Spanish Grand Prix moves to the brand-new Madrid street circuit for the very first time. With the championship battle entering its crucial final stages in September, Practice 1 offers the teams their first-ever opportunity to gather real-world data on this unfamiliar layout. Mastering the track early is critical for optimizing car setups and securing a competitive edge for the rest of the race weekend.

Form Guide

Heading into this landmark weekend, the battle at the front of the grid remains highly competitive as the top teams continue to trade victories. Recent races have shown that adaptability to new track surfaces and street circuit characteristics is key to securing pole position and podium finishes. With no historical data to rely on, the teams with the most efficient simulation tools and rapid engineering response times carry the strongest momentum into this session.

Key Players to Watch

• Max Verstappen — The reigning champion will look to assert his dominance early by finding the limit of the new Madrid barriers quicker than his rivals.
• Lewis Hamilton — Known for his exceptional adaptability on street circuits, the veteran driver will rely on his experience to quickly master the track's nuances.
• Fernando Alonso — Operating as the home favorite, the Spanish veteran will be highly motivated to deliver a strong initial showing in front of his passionate local crowd.

Prediction

Expect a cautious but highly active opening session as drivers focus on rubbering in the dusty, green street surface and finding their braking points. Ferrari and Red Bull are likely to lead the timesheets early on due to their historically strong baseline setups on street tracks. Ultimately, look for a tight session with minimal gaps at the top as teams prioritize high-fuel runs and system checks over outright single-lap pace.