Lando Norris has become the first driver to claim a Formula 1 pole position at Madrid's new MADRING circuit after one of the closest qualifying battles of the season.
The McLaren driver produced a final lap of 1 minute 31.824 seconds, enough to beat championship leader Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds.
Only eleven thousandths of a second separated the two drivers.
Max Verstappen qualified third for Red Bull, while Lewis Hamilton will start fourth for Ferrari.
A decisive final lap
Norris did not initially appear to be the favourite for pole during the first runs of Q3. After those opening attempts, Lewis Hamilton held provisional pole, with the McLaren driver still outside the very front of the order.
Everything changed on the final lap.
Norris recorded a 1:31.824 and moved directly to the top of the timing screens. Antonelli responded with an extremely fast lap but finished just 0.011 seconds behind the McLaren on a 1:31.835.
The result gave Norris pole position for Sunday's race. He described the lap as one of the best of his career, saying he was shocked and a little surprised to be on pole, but very proud of the team.
The first pole in MADRING history
The result also carries historical significance. MADRING is Formula 1's new circuit in Madrid, and Saturday's session was the first F1 qualifying session held at the venue.
Norris therefore becomes the first Formula 1 driver to take pole position at MADRING.
The circuit combines purpose-built sections with stretches using road infrastructure. It proved challenging from the practice sessions, with several red flags and incidents across the weekend.
Norris' 19th career pole
The Madrid result represents Norris' 19th Formula 1 pole position. It is also his third pole of the 2026 season.
His weekend had not started smoothly. On Friday, Norris missed almost the entire second practice session because of a gearbox problem, managing only out- and in-laps.
Despite that setback, Norris recovered in qualifying and delivered the fastest lap when it mattered most.
Antonelli only 0.011 seconds behind
Kimi Antonelli came extraordinarily close to pole position. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver leads the World Championship and had shown strong pace throughout the Madrid weekend.
Antonelli was fastest in Friday's second practice session and again led the final practice session on Saturday. In qualifying, however, Norris found the eleven thousandths of a second needed to beat him.
Antonelli will therefore start second.
Verstappen and Hamilton on row two
Max Verstappen qualified third (1:31.964) and will start from the second row. Lewis Hamilton will line up alongside him (1:32.013).
Hamilton's result was particularly notable after an accident during final practice. The Ferrari driver hit the barriers in FP3, causing a lengthy interruption. Ferrari repaired his car in time for qualifying and Hamilton returned to take fourth place. His team-mate Charles Leclerc qualified fifth (1:32.019).
Top ten after qualifying
The top ten, according to the official Formula 1 qualifying report:
- Lando Norris — McLaren — 1:31.824
- Kimi Antonelli — Mercedes — 1:31.835
- Max Verstappen — Red Bull — 1:31.964
- Lewis Hamilton — Ferrari — 1:32.013
- Charles Leclerc — Ferrari — 1:32.019
- George Russell — Mercedes
- Oscar Piastri — McLaren
- Liam Lawson — Red Bull
- Franco Colapinto — Alpine
- Arvid Lindblad — Racing Bulls
This is the qualifying classification. Any later change to the official starting grid (penalties) should be read separately from the FIA document.
Disappointment for the Spanish drivers
The first Formula 1 qualifying session at Madrid's new circuit did not produce the result the home crowd had hoped for. Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso were both eliminated in Q1. Sainz finished qualifying in 17th place, with Alonso 18th.
Sainz was also noted for a possible impeding incident involving Valtteri Bottas; the matter was due to be investigated after the session and had not altered the qualifying order at the time of publication.
Bearman misses qualifying
Oliver Bearman did not participate in qualifying following his accident in final practice. According to Formula 1, Haas was unable to repair the heavily damaged VF-26 in time. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) also failed to take to the track in qualifying because of a suspected water-pressure issue.
Pole could be particularly important
The characteristics of MADRING make Norris' starting position particularly valuable. The circuit contains several narrow sections and challenging corners, while drivers have suggested overtaking could prove difficult. Track position and pit-stop strategy could therefore play an important role on Sunday.
The incidents seen during practice also suggest that Safety Car periods or red flags are possible — without presenting those scenarios as certainties.
Antonelli remains championship leader
Despite Norris taking pole, Kimi Antonelli arrives at the Madrid race as the World Championship leader. The Italian won the previous race at Monza and strengthened his position at the top of the standings.
According to the official standings before the Spanish Grand Prix, Antonelli had 242 points and Norris 159 — a gap of 83 points. George Russell was second, 59 points behind the leader on 183, level on points with Lewis Hamilton.
The race follows on Sunday
The Spanish Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, 13 September 2026, with the race scheduled to start at 15:00 local time. Norris and Antonelli are set to share the front row, followed by Verstappen and Hamilton.
For Norris, pole position provides an opportunity to convert one of the finest qualifying laps of his career into victory. For Antonelli, the race offers another opportunity to strengthen his World Championship lead.
Source consulted: Formula 1 — Norris denies Antonelli pole position for Spanish GP in closely-fought Qualifying in Madrid.
Photo (archive): Liauzh, Lando Norris (McLaren) at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix — qualifying. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Not a photograph from the Madrid / MADRING weekend.
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