Spanish GP 2025
MAY 30, 2025
Practice 1 Report - Norris sets pace in upgraded McLaren
© McLaren
Lando Norris continued McLaren’s strong recent form by topping the first practice session of the 2025 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, leading Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in a hot session in Barcelona.
The opening 60-minute outing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya saw most teams test new upgrades and components, with stiffer front wings and experimental steel skid blocks among the key technical changes trialled under the FIA’s latest regulations.
Track conditions were dry and sunny, with ambient temperatures pushing the mid-30s Celsius. Teams opted to begin the session on Pirelli’s hardest C1 tyre to complete correlation runs and gather aero data from their upgrade packages. These initial stints were conservative, as teams focused more on consistency than outright pace.
McLaren and Ferrari both introduced substantial updates this weekend, and early indications suggest both packages are competitive. Norris emerged fastest with a lap of 1m13.718s, set late in the session on soft tyres. That time was more than three tenths quicker than Verstappen’s best for Red Bull (1m14.085s), while Lewis Hamilton took third in his upgraded Ferrari (1m14.096s).
Charles Leclerc was fourth ahead of Oscar Piastri, with both drivers also using softs in the final stint. Racing Bulls again looked strong, with Liam Lawson continuing his rise by taking sixth, just ahead of Haas rookie Oliver Bearman and Racing Bulls team-mate Isack Hadjar in eighth. Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10.
The FIA’s push to reduce fire risks after incidents in Japan saw steel skid blocks trialled on one car per team. The heavier material—around 750 grams more than the standard titanium—produces fewer sparks and is expected to reduce the chances of igniting dry grass off-track. While wear rates are higher, the initiative is being evaluated for permanent adoption.
Home favourite Fernando Alonso briefly led the times in the first third of the session before slipping down to 13th. Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg also enjoyed a short-lived spell near the top but dropped to 14th once drivers switched to softer rubber.
The session ran largely incident-free. Haas reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa had a brief off into the gravel but rejoined without damage. F2 front-runner Victor Martins was also in action, replacing Alex Albon (Williams) for the opening session. Martins ended 19th, just ahead of Colapinto.
Mercedes had a subdued showing, with George Russell only 11th and Andrea Kimi Antonelli down in 18th. Williams’ Carlos Sainz, running at his home grand prix, finished 15th, with work to do ahead of qualifying.
FP2 later on Friday will offer teams a chance to simulate race runs and further fine-tune their setups for Sunday’s Grand Prix.