BREAKING:LIVE: Reaction as Oscar Piastri sizzles in… read more
As the Formula 1 action heats up at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, all eyes are on the third and final free practice session (FP3) of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. With just one hour of running left before the crucial qualifying session, the competition is shaping up to be intense, particularly between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
McLaren showed promising form on Friday, with Norris topping the timesheets in FP1 and Piastri taking the honours in FP2. The papaya-liveried team appeared to have an edge on the Spanish circuit, suggesting they could pose a genuine threat to Red Bull’s dominance. However, Verstappen’s consistent performance across both Friday sessions means the Dutchman remains firmly in contention. He was the only one of the top three contenders—Norris, Piastri, and himself—to finish inside the top three in both FP1 and FP2, showcasing a balanced blend of speed and stability.
Verstappen’s strong Friday showing was notable given Red Bull’s recent history of sluggish starts to race weekends. Typically, the team has taken some time to dial in their car setup, especially on technical circuits like Barcelona. Yet, the four-time world champion looked composed and confident, a warning sign to his rivals that he may still have more pace to unleash.
Meanwhile, other top teams like Ferrari and Mercedes are looking to close the gap ahead of qualifying. Ferrari has shown glimpses of competitiveness this season, while Mercedes continues to push for a return to consistent podium contention. With track position being absolutely vital at this circuit, both teams know that any improvements they can make during FP3 could pay dividends in qualifying.
The layout of the Barcelona track offers few overtaking opportunities, which makes qualifying all the more significant. Historically, the Spanish Grand Prix heavily favours those who start at the front. In fact, 91% of races held here—31 out of 34—have been won from the front row of the grid. This underlines the importance of nailing the setup and pace during this final practice session, as it could be the deciding factor between victory and mediocrity on race day.
Oscar Piastri’s performance in FP2 was particularly eye-catching. The young Australian continues to impress in his sophomore season, and if he can maintain that pace into qualifying, he could be a serious contender for a front-row start. That would be a major milestone in his career and a strong indicator that McLaren’s development path is on track.
As the clock ticks down toward qualifying, the battle lines are being drawn. With Verstappen looking strong, McLaren charging, and both Ferrari and Mercedes hungry for redemption, FP3 is shaping up to be a thrilling prelude to what promises to be an electrifying Spanish Grand Prix.
