Mercedes dominated the opening day of practice at the Madrid Grand Prix, with George Russell topping FP1 and Kimi Antonelli leading FP2 as Formula 1 made its debut at the Madring circuit — the sport’s first visit to the Spanish capital since 1981.
The new 5.414-kilometer, 22-turn street circuit presented significant challenges for drivers and engineers alike, with high tyre degradation emerging as a defining characteristic of the venue from the opening hours of running.
Antonelli secured the FP2 benchmark on his second effort on the Soft compound tyre. Russell, meanwhile, classified fifth in the second session after managing only one meaningful push lap, with his tyres failing to reach optimal temperature at the start of the run.
Tyre strategy dominated decision-making throughout the day. The vast majority of the field opted to run a second set of Medium tyres in FP2, preserving both sets of the Hard compound for Sunday’s 57-lap Grand Prix — a clear signal that tyre management will be central to race strategy.
A red flag interrupted the second session, though both Mercedes drivers were able to complete their planned programmes across low and high fuel runs. The pair closed the day with a mini long-run on the Medium compound, generating data ahead of the race.
Mercedes described the opening day as productive, with both drivers building confidence and understanding of a circuit that is new to the entire field. The team said the long-run data collected would prove valuable as preparation continues for Sunday’s grand prix.