Spanish Grand Prix preview: Russell grabs pole as Antonelli’s front‑row streak ends
George Russell took pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, pushing championship leader Kimi Antonelli to the second row for the first time in 2026. Lewis Hamilton joins Russell on the front row, while Isack Hadjar impressed with sixth on the grid.
Qualifying shock
George Russell (Mercedes) secured pole position for Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix, the seventh round of the 22‑race Formula 1 season. He set the fastest time in qualifying at the Circuit de Barcelona‑Catalunya, beating compatriot Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) and his own Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. It is the first time in 2026 that Antonelli, winner of the last five races, will not start from the front row. Russell enjoyed a strong weekend and arrives determined.
The weekend is going very well so far, I’m still in the fight. I arrived here determined and it feels good to be on pole. The race tomorrow will be interesting and we’ll have to fight.
Lando Norris (McLaren) placed fourth, ahead of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) in fifth and French rookie Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) in sixth – only 56 thousandths of a second separated the two Red Bulls. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) suffered a violent crash early in Q3 and will start tenth.
Championship picture
Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings with 156 points after five consecutive victories. Hamilton sits second with 90 points, Russell third with 88. Despite three podiums, Hamilton has yet to win a race this season. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), last year’s Spanish Grand Prix winner, completes the top five, while Verstappen – the active driver with the most wins at this circuit (four) – has endured a subdued start to 2026.
- Kimi Antonelli
- 156 points
- Lewis Hamilton
- 90 points
- George Russell
- 88 points
French fortunes
Three French drivers qualified with mixed results. Hadjar’s sixth place puts him on the third row alongside Verstappen. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) could only manage 14th, just behind teammate Franco Colapinto (13th), after struggling all weekend. Esteban Ocon (Haas) narrowly missed Q2 and will start 17th, the same position from which he scored points in Monaco a week earlier.
- George Russell
- 1
- Lewis Hamilton
- 2
- Kimi Antonelli
- 3
- Lando Norris
- 4
- Max Verstappen
- 5
- Isack Hadjar
- 6
Circuit and broadcast
The Circuit de Barcelona‑Catalunya is a 4.657 km, 16‑turn track that tests tyres and aerodynamic balance. Turn 3, a long right‑hand bend, demands extreme car stability. A lengthy main straight with a crucial slipstream effect, combined with elevation changes and a tight final sector, makes overtaking a challenge. The race begins at 15:00 local time on Sunday 14 June and will be broadcast live on Canal+ in France.
