Lando Norris topped the timings in F1 FP1 at the 2025 Spanish GP with a 1:13.718 for McLaren. Max Verstappen followed with a 1:14.085 for Red Bull, with the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton in third with a 1:14.096.
The Spanish Grand Prix marks the final race of May’s triple header.
Ryo Hirakawa drove Esteban Ocon’s car for this FP1 session, with Victor Martins making his debut for Williams in Alex Albon’s seat.
With the FIA clamping down on flexing wings, many teams are equipped with new front wings, making the car set-up more difficult for the engineers as they aim to perfect the balance.
Green Light
Eager to make his debut, Martins was first out on track.
He was followed by Liam Lawson, Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenberg, with the Sauber testing extensive upgrades this weekend.
Timed Laps
McLaren were among the first to set their early times, with Lando Norris leading with a 1:16.095, +0.009s ahead of Oscar Piastri.
Russell reported that his “steering feels very light as I’m turning” as teammate Antonelli went fourth, splitting the Aston Martins.
Hirawaka found the gravel at Turn 10 but was able to recover.
Fernando Alonso went to the top of the timings with a 1:15.480 for Aston Martin, with the Spaniard hoping to secure his first points of the season in front of his home crowd.
Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were able to split the two McLarens respectively.
Setting three purple sectors, Monaco’s latest winner Norris climbed back to the top with a 1:15.259.
40 Minutes Remaining
Verstappen was able to find a little more pace after questioning Gianpiero Lambiase’s set-up suggestion.
The Red Bull driver remained in third, with an improved time of 1:15.516.
Leclerc improved to fourth with a 1:15.775.
Franco Colapinto went into sixteenth on the Medium tyre, +1.341s behind the leader as the Argentinian faces the pressure once again to perform.
Meanwhile, a few improvements were being made across the board as the drivers got to grips with the changes on their cars.
With 32 minutes remaining, George Russell topped the timings with a 1:14.751 for Mercedes.
30 Minutes Remaining
Hulkenberg went into second, +0.114 behind the leader as he was the first driver to use the Soft tyre.
Piastri, Norris, Verstappen and Leclerc followed, with the Ferrari driver going to the top with a 1:14.238.
Verstappen quickly replaced him, with the Dutch driver setting a 1:14.085, yet Norris set three purple sectors once again, topping the timings with a 1:13.718 for McLaren.
Hamilton was just +0.011s off Verstappen’s time in third.
20 Minutes Remaining
Pierre Gasly slotted into the top ten with a run on the Soft tyres, +1.028 off the pace.
Fellow Frenchman Martins went eighteenth, just over a tenth behind previously FIA Formula 2 competitor Colapinto ahead.
Russell complained that his “front left didn’t look too good”, with Mercedes hoping to bounce back after a difficult weekend in Monaco.
Many drivers are also trialling steel skid plates this weekend, opposed to titanium.
Although the material is heavier and wears more, it should not reach the temperatures that titanium does, minimising the risk of grass fires.
Ten Minutes To Go
Two brief yellow flags were waved, although there was no indication as to why.
Alonso urged his engineers to “check what’s going on with the car, something is wrong.”
With a couple of minutes left, none of the drivers were improving, with many just circulating on older tyres.
Lando Norris topped the timings in F1 FP1 at the 2025 Spanish GP with a 1:13.718 for McLaren. Max Verstappen followed with a 1:14.085 for Red Bull, with the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton in third with a 1:14.096.
Featured Image Credit: McLaren Racing
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