Don’t Miss Today’s Qualifying Start Time for 2025 F1 Spanish GP

Fans are looking forward to an exciting weekend as the 2025 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix quickly approaches. The key to success in Barcelona often begins on Saturday, with qualifying proving to be one of the most decisive moments of the event.

Over the years, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has rewarded those who excel in qualifying, as starting from the front row has led to victory 24 times since the track joined the F1 calendar in 1991.

Only a handful of drivers have managed to break this pattern by winning from further down the grid. Michael Schumacher took first in 1996 after starting third, Fernando Alonso surged from fifth to win in 2013, and Max Verstappen pulled off a race win from fourth place in 2016.

These examples highlight how rare it is for drivers to triumph without a strong qualifying performance at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The qualifying session for the 2025 F1 Spanish Grand Prix begins today at 15:00 BST, on Saturday, May 31. With every driver and team well aware of how vital grid position can be in Barcelona, the battle for pole is expected to be intense.

As the clock counts down to the start, both fans and participants are anticipating close competition among top contenders such as Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc.

Leading up to today’s qualifying, three practice sessions have already played out on the Spanish circuit. The first took place on Friday, May 30, from 13:30 to 14:30 local time, followed by a second session from 17:00 to 18:00.

Saturday morning saw the third and final practice, giving drivers one last chance to perfect their setups before the crucial hour-long qualifying window opens at 16:00 local time.

Current standings show McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the top of the championship leaderboard, with Piastri on 161 points and Norris close behind on 158. Max Verstappen heads into this weekend with 136 points while George Russell and Charles Leclerc round out the top five.

The team rankings also put McLaren out in front, accumulating 319 points so far this season.

The Spanish Grand Prix race is set for Sunday, June 1, and will run from 15:00 to 17:00 local time. Fans can look forward to seeing how the results from qualifying shape the rest of the weekend, knowing recent history favors those locking in a front-row seat.

With fierce rivalries and dramatic storylines unfolding, all eyes are firmly set on the action in Barcelona.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.