Spanish Grand Prix: Lando Norris takes Madrid pole from Kimi Antonelli with 'gorgeous' lap

Image source, Reuters Image caption, Lando Norris has won two grands prix so far this season

F1 Correspondent in Madrid Published 12 September 2026 Lando Norris took a superb pole position for McLaren at the Spanish Grand Prix, beating Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull's Max Verstappen in a breathless final few seconds of qualifying.

"Oh, what a lap, gorgeous," said an ecstatic Norris after pipping world championship leader Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. "Oh, that might be my best one."

Verstappen was 0.140secs off the pace, as all three moved ahead of Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari in Madrid.

The seven-time champion had held the top spot after the first runs in the final session.

Hamilton's team-mate Charles Leclerc was fifth, ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri.