McLaren started the session without being considered the favourites, but Lando Norris delivered when it mattered most, charging to pole position for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring with a spectacular last-gasp effort. The Briton edged Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to the top spot.
In a remarkably close conclusion to Q3, Norris produced a stunning 1m 31.824s lap to displace his rivals and secure his 19th career pole position, mastering the brand-new circuit in the process.
Lewis Hamilton had provisionally taken P1 after the first runs, before dropping to fourth, ahead of Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc and the second Mercedes of George Russell.
Oscar Piastri endured another frustrating deficit to his McLaren team mate, finishing seventh, while Liam Lawson, Franco Colapinto and Arvid Lindblad – who had impressively recovered from his earlier FP2 crash – completed the top 10.
Despite featuring towards the front throughout the weekend, Audi failed to make it into Q3, with Nico Hulkenberg settling for P11 ahead of team mate Gabriel Bortoleto.
Esteban Ocon followed in P12, beating his compatriot and last week’s polesitter Pierre Gasly to P13. Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda qualified 14th, ahead of the lead Williams of Alex Albon.
It was a disappointing day for the home crowd, with Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso both eliminated in Q1. Sainz is also set to be investigated for an impeding incident.
The Spaniards finished just ahead of the Cadillac duo of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, with Sainz alleged to have blocked the latter.
Neither Ollie Bearman nor Lance Stroll made it onto the track. Haas were unable to repair Bearman’s car following his FP3 crash, while Stroll remained in the garage with a suspected water-pressure issue.
2026 Spanish GP: Qualifying Results
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Time / Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:31.824 |
| 2 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.011s |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | — |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | — |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | — |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | — |
| 7 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | — |
| 8 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull | — |
| 9 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | — |
| 10 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | — |
| 11 | Nico Hülkenberg | Audi | — |
| 12 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | — |
| 13 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | — |
| 14 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | — |
| 15 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls | — |
| 16 | Alex Albon | Williams | — |
| 17 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | — |
| 18 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | — |
| 19 | Sergio Pérez | Cadillac | — |
| 20 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | — |
| 21 | Ollie Bearman | Haas | Did not qualify |
| 22 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | Did not qualify |
The top five were separated by only around two-tenths, while Sainz and Alonso were both eliminated in Q1. Bearman was unable to take part after his FP3 crash, and Stroll remained in the garage with a suspected water-pressure issue.
