Lando Norris Leads Exciting FP1 At Spanish GP Ahead Of Verstappen

Lando Norris led the field in the first free practice session at the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, setting the fastest lap ahead of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Norris, driving for McLaren, posted a time of 1:13.718 on the soft tyres, finishing 0.367 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Verstappen.

The session was held under hot conditions and gave teams the chance to gather early data on recent upgrades. Many teams used the first half-hour on Pirelli’s hardest C1 compound to test and align new front wing designs with simulation findings.

The recent FIA technical directive required stiffer wings, so multiple teams adjusted their setups in response. There was also a focus on new steel skid blocks, trialed on one car per team.

The steel skids, about 750 grams heavier than titanium versions, are designed to reduce sparks that previously caused grass fires, notably at April’s Japanese Grand Prix. Home crowd favorite Fernando Alonso led the early laps on hard tyres before Norris made his move to take the top spot.

As teams switched to soft tyres mid-session, times became much quicker. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari briefly went fastest but was soon overtaken by Verstappen and then Norris.

Hamilton slotted into third with a lap just 0.011 seconds behind Verstappen, while Ferrari’s Leclerc and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri rounded out the top five. The session passed smoothly with few incidents.

Haas stand-in Ryo Hirakawa made a short trip through the gravel, but no red flags were needed. Reserve drivers also got opportunities, with Formula 2’s Victor Martins running in Alex Albon’s Williams and gaining valuable experience.

Liam Lawson impressed for Racing Bulls by finishing sixth, followed by Haas’ Oliver Bearman and teammate Isack Hadjar. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly completed the top ten.

Mercedes’ George Russell was 11th, the fastest on medium tyres, while Lance Stroll finished 12th for Aston Martin. Alonso, who set early pace, ended the session in 13th.

Nico Hulkenberg represented Sauber in 14th spot. Williams’ Carlos Sainz took 15th, followed closely by rookie Gabriel Bortoleto in the second Sauber. With one hour of running and a packed field, drivers and teams focused on collecting setup data and testing components.

The competitive gap between the top five was just 0.576 seconds, showing how close the field could be for the rest of the weekend. Norris and McLaren will be encouraged by their speed, though everyone knows things can shift quickly once qualifying and race strategies come into play.

The next on-track session will offer even more insight as teams prepare for one of the season’s tightest battles in Barcelona.