2025 F1 Spanish Grand Prix: Exciting Free Practice 2 Results

Oscar Piastri set the pace on Friday during Free Practice 2 at the 2025 F1 Spanish Grand Prix, clocking a best lap of 1:12.760 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Piastri’s performance put him nearly three-tenths ahead of George Russell, who secured second place for Mercedes on the timesheets.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen finished the session in third, just ahead of Lando Norris, with both drivers posting identical lap times. Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five for Ferrari, as teams gathered crucial data under the new technical regulations.

Not every top driver had a strong session. Lewis Hamilton, racing for Ferrari in 2025, ended up in 11th place after struggling for pace on the medium tyres. His recent challenges mirror struggles noted at Monaco.

Yuki Tsunoda finished the day in 13th, marking a challenging start to the weekend for Red Bull. Further down the order, Franco Colapinto placed twentieth in both Friday sessions, reflecting a tough outing at his home event.

Meanwhile, Ollie Bearman’s spin at Turn Three in FP2 highlighted the difficulty of finding the limit on the demanding Barcelona circuit.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has featured on the F1 calendar since 1991 and is known for its combination of high-speed and technical corners over its 4.657 km length. The 2025 race will see drivers complete 66 laps, putting both the cars and competitors through a significant physical and mental test.

Verstappen’s lap record at this track sits at 1:16.330, set in 2023, but conditions in practice showed the field getting close to that pace.

A major storyline this weekend centers on the FIA’s newly tightened rules for flexible front wings, a move that may impact the performance of McLaren and Red Bull. Teams have reacted quickly to adapt, and analysts believe the shifts in regulations could shake up established hierarchies as the season progresses. More details on the flexible front wing rules explain the challenges teams face.

Piastri’s edge in practice could signal that McLaren has managed the transition, but all eyes are on qualifying and race day for further indications.

McLaren continues to lead both championships, with Piastri and Norris sitting first and second in the 2025 drivers’ standings at 161 and 158 points, respectively. Verstappen is close behind on 136 points, keeping the title fight alive as the midfield battle intensifies.

On the teams’ side, McLaren has amassed 319 points, holding a sizeable advantage over Mercedes and Red Bull, who follow with 147 and 143 points. The ongoing development of McLaren’s front wing has been key in maintaining this edge, as highlighted in recent reports on their technical progress.

The session also saw a return to the paddock for Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, who visited the team as rumors circulate about Alpine’s long-term ambitions. Briatore’s presence added intrigue to an already busy weekend as Alpine eyes future progress in Formula 1.

As Friday wrapped up with another tight session, teams will now analyze the data and make adjustments before the final practice and qualifying. With new regulations in play and the title race heating up, the 2025 F1 Spanish Grand Prix promises continued unpredictability as the action resumes in Barcelona.