Impressive pace from Max Verstappen and Red Bull lit up the opening day of practice for the Spanish Grand Prix, the seventh round of the Formula 1 World Championship. The Dutch driver asserted his dominance in the first two Free Practice sessions with a commanding performance, signaling that beating him will be a tall order all weekend.
Fernando Alonso continued to fuel the AlonsoMania surge. After posting the second-fastest time in Free Practice 2, just under two tenths behind Verstappen, the day also served as a test bed for tires slated for Silverstone. The Spaniard delivered a spectacular lap, securing a front row-like position behind Nico Hülkenberg and Sergio Pérez.
WHAT THIRD SECTOR ANIMALS!
why will you remove @alo_oficial? LIKE THIS? What madness! Spain DAZNF1
pic.twitter.com/uOjdEsIu3f
— DAZN Spain
Ferrari took another step forward with the package unveiled this weekend, focusing on aerodynamics that influence the profile, mirrors, and rear wing. Carlos Sainz tested the modifications in Free Practice 1, and by the second session both drivers were aboard, confirming that the initial analysis was positive. In the afternoon, Charles Leclerc finished sixth and Sainz seventh, just over three tenths behind Verstappen.
There was great anticipation about whether the gap to Red Bull would shrink, but doubts were quickly dispelled. The weather now looms as a potential equalizer, with forecasts predicting rain in both qualifying and the race, which would naturally level the playing field and raise the chances of a dramatic error.
test track is perfect
Barcelona stands out as perhaps the best venue to understand a car’s true potential and gauge where teams sit relative to the competition. This track is familiar to drivers and crews, replacing slow corners with fast bends and two long straights. It’s particularly relevant this year, coming after three consecutive street circuits in Baku, Miami, and Monaco.
Every team arrived with updates aimed at narrowing the gulf to Red Bull, which has dominated the season and won six races so far (four by Verstappen and two by Pérez). The opening practice sessions underscored Red Bull’s continued advantage, making them the favorites to win in Spain. Verstappen has already claimed two wins here, in 2016 and 2022, adding another chapter to his growing legend.
With so many upgrades on the table, teams focused more on collecting data than chasing lap times in the early stages, preparing to maximize the value of the upcoming qualifying session at 4:00 PM.
Changes in the circuit
A notable topic was the impact of the circuit changes. The removal of the RACC chicane has already shaved time off lap records since the first Free Practice, restoring a near-2006 era of flat-out, high-speed rhythm as the corners flow into one another. Verstappen’s first Free Practice lap clocked 1:14.606 this year, a warning to rivals that the pace will be hard to match.
The chicane, removed this year for safety, has long been a point of debate among drivers. Returning to the original flow will demand more from the tires and could invite more overtaking on the long straight, a welcome change on a track where overtaking is traditionally challenging.
Spanish GP Free 2:
[Calendario de la temporada de la Fórmula 1]
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:13.907
2. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) at 0.170
3. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) at 0.270
4. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) at 0.312
5. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) at 0.335
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) at 0.339
7. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) at 0.367
8. George Russell (Mercedes) at 0.485
9. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) at 0.541
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) at 0.550
11. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) at 0.642
12. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) on 0.676
13. Guanyu Zhou (Alpha Romeo) at 0.678
14. Lando Norris (McLaren) at 0.787
15. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) at 0.806
16. Nyck de Vries (AlphaTauri) at 0.878
17. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) at 0.933
18. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) at 1.103
19. Alexander Albon (Williams) at 1.149
20. Logan Sargeant (Williams) at 1.508