Norris snatches Spanish Grand Prix pole by 0.01s from Antonelli
Lando Norris will start the Spanish Grand Prix from pole position after edging Kimi Antonelli by one-hundredth of a second at the Madring.
The McLaren driver set the fastest lap in qualifying on 12 September 2026 to take first place on the grid, with Antonelli second for Mercedes. It is the 19th pole of Norris's career, according to timing and team records reported by The Guardian.
Max Verstappen qualified third for Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton was fourth for Ferrari, ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc in fifth, with George Russell sixth in the second Mercedes.
Pole position means starting at the very front, with a clear track ahead for the run to the first corner. On a new circuit, that clean start matters even more. Drivers have less data on overtaking spots and grip levels.
The championship context gives this pole extra weight. Norris, the reigning Formula One champion, arrived in Madrid 96 points behind the championship leader despite two race wins this season, Formula 1 reported. Antonelli arrived with momentum after winning his home race at Monza from 19th on the grid to extend his lead in the standings.
The weekend has been a voyage into the unknown in Madrid. Russell led Antonelli and Leclerc in first practice as cars ran the Madring for the first time, Formula 1 reported. Final practice brought more drama, with a lengthy red flag after Hamilton stopped on track. Antonelli ended that session fastest, with Leclerc second, according to Yahoo Sports.
Norris knows the Spanish Grand Prix pole feeling. He also took pole for the race in Barcelona in 2024. Oscar Piastri won last year's Spanish Grand Prix from pole for McLaren.
What makes this stand out is the margin and the match-up. One-hundredth of a second is nothing. It is a blink at 300kph, less than a car length across the line. For fans, this means a front row of the reigning champion and the young leader, side by side into Turn 1, with Verstappen and the two Ferraris right behind them.
