In Pictures: Spain 2025
The second triple-header of the season comes to a close at one of Formula 1’s most enduring venues: the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. A fixture on the calendar since 1991, this track is renowned for offering a full spectrum of technical challenges, making it a longtime favorite for testing. The thinking has always been simple, if a car performs well here, it should perform well anywhere.
Since its inaugural race, the layout has seen numerous changes, particularly in the final sector, where various tweaks have aimed to improve overtaking. One such modification came in 2007, when a slow-speed chicane was introduced before the last corner, adding over four seconds to lap times. In 2023, however, the track reverted to its original configuration, linking the final two corners into a sweeping high-speed run onto the pit straight, one of the longest on the calendar.
The 4.657-kilometre layout includes 14 corners, eight right-handers and six to the left. The most demanding sections remain Turns 3 and 9, both high-speed right-handers that push balance and grip to the limit.
This weekend also saw the introduction of a new FIA technical directive on wing flexibility, a change that some believe could have influenced team performance. Traditionally, Barcelona has been the proving ground for major car upgrades, and with its blend of high-speed sections and tight corners, it remains the definitive benchmark for aerodynamic efficiency and overall car strength.
FRIDAY
In the first practice session of the weekend, it was McLaren’s Lando Norris who appeared to have everything under control, setting the pace with a 1:13.718, comfortably clear of the rest of the field.
But the cards turned in FP2, as his teammate Oscar Piastri emerged as the fastest overall. The Australian was the only driver to break the 1:13 barrier, topping the timesheets with a 1:12.760, half a second quicker than Lewis Hamilton’s best Friday lap from last year. Piastri was also quickest across all three sectors, underlining McLaren’s strong early form.
SATURDAY
In a show of strength between the McLaren drivers, it was Oscar Piastri who came out on top. Fastest in FP3 and then stunning in qualifying, clocking a blistering 1:11.546. It marked Piastri’s fourth pole position of the season, all earned this year, and McLaren’s 170th overall, their tenth at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The second row saw an unusual statistical tie, with both Max Verstappen and George Russell setting identical lap times of 1:11.848. Verstappen, however, secured third place on the grid by virtue of having set his lap twelve seconds earlier than Russell.
Aston Martin Team statement:
Over the course of the past six weeks Lance has been experiencing pain in his hand and wrist, which his medical consultant believes is in relation to the procedure he underwent in 2023.
As a result his medical team have confirmed that he will not race tomorrow and he will undergo a procedure to rectify these issues before focusing on his recovery.
SUNDAY
Lance Stroll did not take part in the race, and at the start, most of the remaining 19 drivers opted for Soft tires in the first stint—ten on used sets and eight on new ones. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go with Mediums, starting from the pit lane.
A late-race Safety Car prompted almost the entire field to make an additional stop. The Red Bull drivers ended up pitting four times in total, having initially committed to a three-stop strategy. That meant Max Verstappen took on a set of Hard tires for his fifth and final stint, adding a rare splash of white to the race’s otherwise red-and-yellow tire usage color chart.
Oscar Piastri won the Spanish Grand Prix to complete a near-perfect weekend for himself and the McLaren team. Apart from Lando Norris setting the fastest time in FP1, Piastri topped every other timesheet—including all three sectors of qualifying. It was the Australian’s seventh Formula 1 victory, his fifth this season, and his second career hat trick (win, pole, and fastest lap). McLaren now has 196 Grand Prix wins, nine of them in Spain. With Lando Norris finishing second, the team secured its 52nd one-two finish. The last time that happened at this track was in 2000, when Mika Häkkinen won ahead of David Coulthard. However, this was McLaren’s first win at the Spanish Grand Prix since Kimi Räikkönen in 2005, that time, local hero Fernando Alonso finished second for Renault.
Charles Leclerc completed the podium in third place, scoring his 46th career podium and his first at this event. It marked Ferrari’s third podium of the season and their 39th in the history of the Spanish Grand Prix.
There was an impressive drive from Nico Hülkenberg, who brought his Sauber home in fifth place.
Max Verstappen was voted Driver of the Day by fans on F1.com, although he received a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points for causing a collision with George Russell while fighting for fourth place. He ultimately finished P10.
The Spanish Grand Prix delivered excitement and plenty of drama, from McLaren’s dominance to Ferrari’s and Sauber’s joy, and Verstappen’s highs and lows.
NEXT STOP: Coming to America, CANADA 🇨🇦
Excerpts from this article provided by Pirelli S.p.A. Photographs courtesy of Formula 1 teams and partners.
