LIVE: Intense 2025 F1 Spanish GP Free Practice 3 Action

Fans are following every second as Free Practice 3 for the 2025 F1 Spanish Grand Prix gets underway at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The competition has become especially tight between Max Verstappen and the two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

During Friday’s first two practice sessions, Norris and Piastri each went fastest, but Verstappen stood out by finishing in the top three during both sessions. This is a change from past years, when Red Bull often started the weekend with early struggles at this track.

There’s only one hour of running left before qualifying begins in Spain. For teams like Ferrari and Mercedes, this last chance to make progress is very important as they try to catch up with Red Bull and McLaren.

At this circuit, starting from the front of the grid can be decisive. In 34 previous races at Barcelona, 91% have been won by drivers who began on the front row.

That’s 31 out of 34 races, underlining just how valuable qualifying will be for drivers battling for championship points.

The latest timing from the practice session shows a packed field as teams test their setups ahead of qualifying. Live updates and commentary have become a key part of race weekend coverage, giving fans minute-by-minute results as drivers push their limits.

In addition, fans can enter giveaways, such as winning a scale model helmet of their favorite F1 driver by subscribing to the RacingNews365 YouTube channel.

Among the top stories heading into this Grand Prix are rumors about Verstappen’s contract and potential links to Ferrari, which have sparked plenty of discussion in the paddock. Recent days have also seen commentary from Victor Martins, who made light of incidents involving Verstappen, saying it’s starting to feel like a comedy show.

Nico Rosberg, meanwhile, has weighed in on Lewis Hamilton’s ongoing difficulties, offering theories on why the seven-time champion is still trying to find his best form with Ferrari. Yuki Tsunoda has talked about unexpected performance gaps that have lingered since the start of the season.

In the standings, Oscar Piastri currently leads the 2025 drivers’ race with 161 points, followed closely by Norris at 158 and Verstappen at 136. Among teams, McLaren sits on 319 points, holding a strong advantage over second-placed Mercedes with 147 and Red Bull just behind at 143.

Ferrari remains close as well with 142 points, while Williams and Haas round out the top six with 54 and 26 points, respectively.

The next races on the calendar are set for June and July, moving from Spain to the Canadian Grand Prix, then to Austria, Great Britain, and Belgium. With each race, teams and drivers have just a few opportunities to close the gap or extend their lead before the summer break.

Every session and result matters as the championship continues to build excitement.

With another intense practice session ahead of qualifying, all eyes remain on the key battle at the front and the strategic moves by top teams to secure the best possible grid positions.

The Spanish Grand Prix consistently delivers high drama, and this year’s close contest between Verstappen and the McLaren duo has made it one of the most anticipated races so far this season. Fans across the globe are eager to see who will step up when qualifying begins, knowing history favors those who start up front at Barcelona. For more details on the aerodynamic changes influencing this weekend, see the F1 flexi wing Spanish GP.

Nico Rosberg’s commentary on Lewis Hamilton’s ongoing difficulties echoes insights similar to McLaren and Lewis Hamilton’s situation in Monaco, showing how top drivers adapt through challenging periods.

Meanwhile, the struggles of other teams, like Williams, are also noteworthy as they try to find consistency this season. More on those challenges can be found in the Williams Monaco GP woes coverage.

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.