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Lando Norris claims pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid

British driver Lando Norris secured pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, achieving the fastest qualifying time on Saturday at the new Madrid circuit by just 11 thousandths of a second.

12 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Lando Norris claims pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid — Photo: Liauzh · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Lando Norris, McLaren driver and reigning world champion, surprised everyone by claiming pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, which takes place this Sunday at the new city circuit in Madrid. In Saturday's qualifying, Norris achieved the fastest time, finishing just 11 thousandths of a second ahead of Kimi Antonelli, who is the current championship leader and was racing with Mercedes.

Max Verstappen, also known for his competitive performance, secured third place, 140 thousandths behind Norris's time. The qualifying session took place on a new layout that features challenging corners, requiring heightened attention from the drivers.

The race marks the first event on the circuit, known as Madring, and is generating excitement as it is the 14th race on the Formula 1 World Championship calendar. This event represents a new addition to the circuit, designed to rigorously test the skills of the drivers.

Archive photo: Lando Norris claims pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid — Archive photoPhoto: Salvador Mendez · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

During qualifying, the drivers faced challenging conditions, and in the first phase of the race, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, both representing Spain, were eliminated, surprising many. This result highlights the difficulties that many drivers encountered on the new track, which demands precision and strategy.

Norris's comments after qualifying were revealing, as the driver expressed his astonishment at the achieved result. He described the lap as one of the best of his career. This statement reflects the significance of the moment, not only for him but also for his team, which is already facing a challenging season.

Sunday's race is expected to be a test not only for Norris but also for Antonelli and Verstappen, who are looking to maximize their performance on a circuit that few yet know. The anticipation surrounding the final result grows as teams prepare for the upcoming challenge.

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