Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Norris and Antonelli Lead Madrid’s First Spanish GP Front Row
Formula 1 is holding a race in Madrid for the first time in 45 years.
Lando Norris will begin the race in first place.
Kimi Antonelli will start next to him in second place.
Max Verstappen will begin third.
The track has very few places where drivers can pass each other.
That means the start and qualifying results are especially important.
Spanish drivers Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz will start near the back.
Organizers expect nearly 350,000 people to attend during the weekend.
Lando Norris will start from pole position at Madrid’s 57-lap Spanish Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli will start second for Mercedes after setting the weekend’s fastest pace before qualifying.
Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc complete the top five on the starting grid.
Fernando Alonso starts 17th, while Carlos Sainz starts 20th after receiving a penalty.
The race marks Spain’s return to the Madrid region after 45 years, with Madring contracted through 2035.
- Who
- Lando Norris, Kimi Antonelli and the other Formula 1 drivers, including Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
- What
- The Spanish Grand Prix is being held on the new Madring urban circuit, with Norris starting from pole.
- When
- Sunday, during a 57-lap race.
- Where
- Madrid, Spain.
- Why
- The Spanish Grand Prix is returning to the Madrid region after 45 years, while the circuit’s limited overtaking makes qualifying and the start important.
- Pole position
- Lando Norris, McLaren
- Second place
- Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
- Top five
- Norris, Antonelli, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
- Race distance
- 57 laps
- Spanish drivers
- Fernando Alonso starts 17th; Carlos Sainz starts 20th after a penalty
- Expected attendance
- Nearly 350,000 people over the weekend
- Madring contract
- The circuit has a Formula 1 contract through 2035