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Nico Rosberg expressed clear surprise at McLaren’s standout pace during third practice at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Oscar Piastri set a time of 1 minute 12.387 seconds, ending the session nearly six-tenths of a second ahead of teammate Lando Norris.
Charles Leclerc posted the third-fastest time, almost eight-tenths back from Piastri. This performance marked the largest gap McLaren has achieved over rivals throughout the current Formula 1 season, catching many observers off guard.
Rosberg, who won the 2016 Formula 1 World Championship with Mercedes, compared McLaren’s speed in Barcelona to the dominance his team showed during their peak years. Speaking after the session, Rosberg called the results “absolutely shocking,” describing the pace as reminiscent of a period when Mercedes seemed in a league of their own at selected venues.
He added that the McLaren MCL39 appeared planted and stable, especially as Piastri delivered a “fantastic perfect lap” with minimal car movement, particularly through the final corner.
Through the opening three practice sessions, McLaren had consistently topped the timesheets. Lando Norris led the way in the first session, with Piastri capturing the top spot in both the second and third practices.
The combination of speed and consistency has placed the team in a strong position just ahead of qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix. The large gap between the McLarens and their closest competitors served as a warning to the rest of the field that a major shake-up may be underway.
So far during the 2025 Formula 1 season, McLaren’s drivers have battled at the front. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris currently hold first and second place in the championship standings with 161 and 158 points, respectively.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen sits third with 136 points, while George Russell and Charles Leclerc round out the top five. In the constructors’ championship, McLaren leads with 319 points, well ahead of Mercedes in second place with 147 points, and Red Bull closely behind with 143.
As qualifying approached, the dominant performance in free practice led analysts and fans to speculate about McLaren potentially shifting the competitive order at the Spanish Grand Prix. Rosberg’s strong reaction highlights the unexpected nature of the team’s advantage in Barcelona.
The consistent improvement across all practice sessions suggested that the MCL39 found the ideal setup for the circuit’s technical layout. McLaren’s recent form is now under the spotlight as teams prepare for the crucial qualifying session.
The possibility of an upset looms for the established order, with Piastri and Norris ready to capitalize on their pace. The rest of the field faces a difficult challenge to match McLaren’s speed as the Spanish Grand Prix weekend progresses.
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.