F1 Qualifying Today: Madring Schedule, Times and TV Channel for the 2026 Spanish GP… See details 👇

F1 Qualifying Today: Madring Schedule, Times and TV Channel for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix

 

Formula 1 has arrived at a dramatic new chapter in Madrid, with the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the newly built Madring circuit delivering an intense qualifying session and another major test for the championship contenders.

 

Qualifying was scheduled for Saturday, September 12, with the decisive session beginning at 4:00pm local Spanish time. The session followed FP3, which began at 12:30pm, and set the grid for Sunday’s historic Spanish Grand Prix.

 

For viewers in the United Kingdom, qualifying was scheduled for 3:00pm BST, while international viewers could follow the action through their respective Formula 1 broadcast partners and F1 TV where available. In Spain, coverage was available through DAZN F1, with the qualifying session also shown on Telecinco and Mediaset platforms.

 

But before qualifying even began, the Madring had already produced one of the biggest talking points of the weekend.

 

Hamilton crash adds pressure to Ferrari

 

Lewis Hamilton suffered a major scare during final practice after losing control of his Ferrari at the final corner and hitting the barriers.

 

The incident brought out a red flag and interrupted the session. Hamilton initially attempted to continue toward the pits despite Ferrari instructing him to stop the car, before eventually bringing the damaged Ferrari to a halt. He finished FP3 ninth fastest.

 

The timing could hardly have been worse, with Ferrari facing the enormous challenge of qualifying on a completely new Madrid circuit where overtaking is expected to be extremely difficult.

 

Hamilton therefore entered qualifying needing a strong response after a difficult final practice session.

 

Antonelli arrives as a major threat

 

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli also entered qualifying with considerable momentum.

 

The young Italian topped FP3 with a 1:32.797, finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Championship leader Antonelli was already expected to be one of the favourites for pole after showing impressive pace throughout the Madrid weekend.

 

With the championship battle tightening, every grid position carries enormous importance.

 

The Madring’s narrow and technical characteristics mean that qualifying could be even more important than usual. Max Verstappen has already warned that overtaking may be extremely difficult, while drivers have highlighted tyre degradation and the demanding layout as major factors for Sunday’s race.

 

Qualifying delivers a dramatic twist

 

When the final Q3 laps were completed, Lando Norris produced a sensational performance to claim the first-ever pole position at the Madring.

 

Norris stopped the clock at 1:31.824, edging Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. Max Verstappen qualified third, while Lewis Hamilton recovered from his FP3 crash to secure fourth place for Ferrari.

 

Charles Leclerc completed the top five, followed by George Russell and Oscar Piastri.

 

The result represents a huge turnaround for Norris, who had endured a difficult start to the weekend after missing much of Friday’s second practice because of a gearbox issue.

 

Yet when the pressure reached its highest point, the McLaren driver delivered.

 

Why pole matters so much in Madrid

 

The Madring has already developed a reputation for being unforgiving.

 

The walls are close, the layout is fast and technical, and drivers have warned that overtaking could be extremely difficult during Sunday’s race.

 

That makes Norris’ pole position particularly valuable.

 

Antonelli will start alongside him on the front row, with Verstappen and Hamilton forming an intriguing second row. Ferrari will now hope Hamilton can turn fourth place into a major result after surviving his earlier crash.

 

Sunday’s race is scheduled for 3:00pm local time in Spain, with 57 laps awaiting the field.

 

The first Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s Madring has therefore already produced crashes, red flags, an extremely tight qualifying battle and a historic first pole.

 

Now the biggest question is whether Norris can convert that pole into the first-ever victory at the new Madrid circuit — or whether Antonelli, Verstappen, Hamilton or another challenger can steal the spotlight when the lights go out.