Russell tops first practice in Madrid as Hamilton frustrates other drivers

George Russell led Kimi Antonelli in a Mercedes one-two at the new Madring as Lewis Hamilton finished fourth but was called out by several drivers; watch Friday's second practice session for the Spanish GP at 4pm, live on Sky Sports F1; Qualifying is at 3pm on Saturday

George Russell was fastest from Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli in the first practice session at the new Madring circuit in Madrid.

Russell is looking to hit back after losing out to championship leader Antonelli last Sunday at Monza and started the Spanish Grand Prix weekend perfectly as he outpaced Antonelli by 0.286s.

But Ferrari were quick early on and were only half a second off the best times on the medium tyres, compared to the Mercedes on the softs.

Charles Leclerc, who is fit enough to race despite suffering from blurred vision in the aftermath of his huge Monza crash, eventually improved on the softs to third but Lewis Hamilton's best time remained on the mediums.

Hamilton was called out by at least four drivers for impeding across the practice hour as the tight confines of the Madring meant traffic was an issue.

Arvid Lindblad first called Hamilton and Antonelli "stupid" for blocking the track at the high-speed banked Turn 12 before Leclerc, Audi's Nico Hulkenberg and Williams' Carlos Sainz all had to abandon flying laps due to the seven-time world champion not being aware of them coming.

Sainz said on the radio of his incident: "Lewis letting by in the middle of Turn 12. It's always the same, it's so dangerous!

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