F1 is in Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix and Oscar Piastri enjoyed a very successful Saturday as he beat teammate Lando Norris to seal pole in a McLaren front-row lockout.
The Catalunya track is not long for F1, with the Spanish GP relocating to Madrid next year, though Barcelona is expected to finish its current contract with a final race in 2026.
Piastri may not want it to wave goodbye to the track as he secured the biggest pole margin of the campaign, grabbing top spot for the fourth time as he outpaced Norris by 0.209s.
There was a humdinger of a battle for third as Max Verstappen, who finished fourth in Monaco last weekend and won last year’s race in Spain, and George Russell of Mercedes finished on the same time but the Red Bull reigning champion was given the nod as he finished his lap first. Lewis Hamilton is eyeing further improvement, particularly in light of a new FIA clampdown on flexi-wings this weekend, and drove his Ferrari into a creditable fifth spot.
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F1 SPANISH GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- Spanish Grand Prix starts at 2pm BST with McLaren's on front row
- The Spanish GP grid decided in qualifying as Oscar Piastri takes pole ahead of teammate Norris
- Behind the McLaren lockout, Max Verstappen starts third, with George Russell fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth
- Lance Stroll withdrew from the Spanish Grand Prix through injury
INTERVIEW: Susie Wolff: ‘F1 is not a man’s world anymore’
13:19
,
Kieran Jackson
From a coastal upbringing in the west Scottish town of Oban and first racing in a go-kart at the age of eight, Susie Wolff has, at 42, just about seen it all in motorsport. A racing CV that includes stints in Formula Renault, Formula Three, the sports car series DTM and a trailblazing F1 test drive at Williams have been bookended post-retirement with executive roles at Mercedes and the Formula E team Venturi.
But her latest venture is her true passion; some might say her life’s work.
Wolff is now managing director at the all-female racing series F1 Academy, a competition tasked with finding the next generation of top-quality female racers. Ultimately, the target – by the end of the decade – is for a woman to land a full-time seat in F1. By next year, a woman will have not started an F1 race for half a century, with the last instance being Lella Lombardi’s appearance at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix.
REMINDER: Lance Stroll pulls out of Spanish Grand Prix with wrist injury
13:15
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll has withdrawn from Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix through injury.
Stroll qualified 14th at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya but his team said the decision not to contest the ninth round of the campaign related to a broken wrist he sustained in a cycling accident ahead of the 2023 season.
A statement from the British team said: "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."
F1 driver standings ahead of Spanish GP
13:12
,
Luke Baker
3. Max Verstappen – 136 points
4. George Russell – 99 points
5. Charles Leclerc – 79 points
7. Kimi Antonelli – 48 points
8. Alex Albon – 42 points
9. Esteban Ocon – 20 points
10. Isack Hadjar – 15 points
11. Lance Stroll – 14 points
12. Carlos Sainz – 13 points
13. Yuki Tsunoda – 10 points
14. Liam Lawson – 8 points
15. Pierre Gasly – 7 points
16. Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points
18. Fernando Alonso – 0 points
19. Jack Doohan – 0 points
20. Gabriel Bortoleto – 0 points
Lewis Hamilton slams flexi-wing changes
13:07
,
Luke Baker
Lewis Hamilton took aim at the new front-wing technical directive that has come into force this weekend but doesn’t appear to have changed things too much...
“It has not made a difference,” he said.
“What a waste of money. The wings still bend and everyone has had to spend more money. It doesn’t make sense. I would have given that money to charity.”
Spanish Grand Prix
13:00
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Lewis Hamilton, incidentally, has won this race six times, a joint record alongside Michael Schumacher. One would suggest that a seventh victory in Spain might be unlikely but the Ferrari driver was encouraged by his qualifying performance yesterday. If he gets off to a good start from fifth and in amongst the front of the field, you never know...
F1 driver standings ahead of Spanish Grand Prix
12:45
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Here’s a look at how the standings sit entering today’s race. Can Oscar Piastri convert pole into victory to extend his lead at the top ahead of teammate Lando Norris?
3. Max Verstappen – 136 points
4. George Russell – 99 points
5. Charles Leclerc – 79 points
7. Kimi Antonelli – 48 points
8. Alex Albon – 42 points
9. Esteban Ocon – 20 points
10. Isack Hadjar – 15 points
Lando Norris dismisses notion that F1 title fight is just between McLaren pair
12:15
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Lando Norris insisted he is not in a world championship shootout with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri – and claimed the entire grid is still in title contention.
Norris reignited his stuttering bid to land a first championship by winning from pole position in Monaco to reduce the deficit to Piastri to just three points.
Piastri has four victories to Norris’ two, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen the only driver outside of McLaren to win a grand prix this season.
Lewis Hamilton brands speculation of Ferrari rift as ‘BS’
12:00
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Lewis Hamilton has dismissed claims he is at odds with Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami, insisting that he is “amazing to work with”.
Hamilton and Adami were involved in a number of fractious radio exchanges during last Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton brands flexi-wing rule change a 'waste of money'
11:40
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Lewis Hamilton does not feel that the flexi-wing tweak will make enough of a difference to make the cost of the changes worthwhile.
The FIA has imposed a stiffer load test on front wings in an attempt to limit the amount teams could exploit their movement for aerodynamic benefit, but Hamilton has questioned whether it will actually make a difference at all.
“[They’ve] just wasted everyone's money,” Hamilton said yesterday. “It's literally changed nothing.
"Everyone's wings still bend, it's just half the bending, and everyone's had to make new wings and spend more money to make these. It just doesn't make sense."
F1 title gamechanger? Spanish GP awaits impact of new flexi-wing rule
11:20
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
There will be a few eyes on the flexi-wings in Barcelona today, the controversial midseason rule tweak perhaps not affecting McLaren too much in qualifying but maybe more impactful today, as Kieran Jackson explored ahead of race weekend.
Lando Norris admits mistakes cost him pole for Spanish Grand Prix
10:40
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Lando Norris admitted mistakes cost him pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix – as championship rival Oscar Piastri secured top spot to deal a blow to the British driver’s bid of winning back-to-back races for the first time.
McLaren were in a class of one in qualifying for the ninth round of a campaign which looks increasingly set to come down to a battle between team-mates Norris and Piastri for the biggest prize in motor racing.
Norris ended a poor run over one lap to take pole in Monaco a week ago before going on to claim his second win of the campaign and reducing Piastri’s championship lead to just three points.
What Lance Stroll's withdrawal means for the Spanish Grand Prix grid
10:20
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Under the rules, Lance Stroll cannot be replaced, leaving a 19-driver grid for Sunday's race. His withdrawal means those who qualified 15th to 20th will all move up one spot.
Those affected are Ollie Bearman (Haas), Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber), Esteban Ocon (Haas), Carlos Sainz (Williams), Franco Colapinto (Alpine) and Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull).
Oscar Piastri will start from pole position in Spain after he edged out McLaren team-mate Lando Norris.
Spanish GP qualifying a contrast of emotions
09:15
,
Luke Baker
Ups and down for the drivers in qualifying on Saturday
Oscar Piastri says relationship with Lando Norris unaffected by title battle
08:25
,
Luke Baker
Oscar Piastri has claimed his relationship with Lando Norris will not spiral out of control as the McLaren drivers duel to become champion of the world.
Following his much-needed victory last time out in Monaco, Norris heads into Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix just three points adrift of his Australian team-mate.
McLaren have taken six victories from the eight rounds so far, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen – the only driver outside of the British team to win this season – claiming this week that he no longer feels he is in the title fight.
Carlos Sainz opens up on Red Bull F1 rejection after Ferrari axe
07:30
,
Luke Baker
Carlos Sainz has opened up on Red Bull rejecting the chance to sign him last year after he was axed by Ferrari in favour of Lewis Hamilton.
Spanish driver Sainz moved to Williams ahead of the 2025 season, having lost his F1 seat at Ferrari after four years, with Hamilton making the £50m-a-year move from Mercedes.
Sainz opted for James Vowles’ team over the likes of Alpine and Sauber, with other options at Mercedes and Red Bull failing to materialise.
Now, the 30-year-old has admitted that Christian Horner did not take up the opportunity to sign him last year, with Sergio Perez eventually dropped in favour of Liam Lawson. Yuki Tsunoda replaced Lawson after two races of the new season.
Alpine boss Flavio Briatore ‘should not be back in F1’, says Johnny Herbert
06:45
,
Luke Baker
Johnny Herbert believes Flavio Briatore should “not be back in F1” after the Italian maverick returned to the paddock with Alpine as de facto team principal.
Briatore, 75, will enact all the duties of former team principal Oliver Oakes after the Briton’s resignation three weeks ago, due to personal reasons.
While Briatore’s official title will remain “executive adviser”, he is effectively back as team boss 17 years after the 2008 Crashgate scandal, when he was initially given a lifetime ban from the sport for his role as Renault team principal in Nelson Piquet Jnr’s deliberate crash in Singapore.
F1 constructor standings ahead of Spanish GP
03:45
,
Luke Baker
1. McLaren - 317 points
2. Mercedes - 147 points
3. Red Bull - 143 points
4. Ferrari - 142 points
5. Williams - 54 points
6. Haas - 26 points
7. Racing Bulls - 22 points
8. Aston Martin - 14 points
9. Alpine - 7 points
10. Sauber - 6 points
Spanish Grand Prix starting grid
Sunday 1 June 2025 00:45
,
Luke Baker
1) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
2) Lando Norris - McLaren
3) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
4) George Russell - Mercedes
5) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
6) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
7) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
8) Pierre Gasly - Alpine
9) Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
10) Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
11) Alex Albon - Williams
12) Gabriel Bortoleto - Kick Sauber
13) Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
14) Ollie Bearman - Haas
15) Nico Hulkenberg - Kick Sauber
16) Esteban Ocon - Haas
17) Carlos Sainz - Williams
18) Franco Colapinto - Alpine
19) Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
*** Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) qualified in 14th but withdrew before the race due to a wrist injury, moving those below him up one spot and leaving a 19-man grid.
Lewis Hamilton brands speculation of Ferrari rift as ‘BS’
Saturday 31 May 2025 23:45
,
Luke Baker
Lewis Hamilton has dismissed claims he is at odds with Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami, insisting that he is “amazing to work with”.
Addressing the post-race message ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton replied: “It was literally just there were areas where we had radio problems through the race, and I did not get the information that I wanted. We spoke afterwards.
“There is a lot of speculation and most of it is BS. We have a great relationship. He is amazing to work with. He is a great guy. He is working so hard, we both are.”
Lance Stroll withdraws from Spanish Grand Prix
Saturday 31 May 2025 23:32
,
Luke Baker
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll has withdrawn from Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix through injury.
Stroll qualified 14th at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya but his team said the decision not to contest the ninth round of the campaign related to a broken wrist he sustained in a cycling accident ahead of the 2023 season.
A statement from the British team said: "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."
F1 title gamechanger? Spanish GP awaits impact of new flexi-wing rule
Saturday 31 May 2025 22:45
,
Luke Baker
Could round nine represent a turning point for McLaren’s rivals? The much-talked-about FIA regulation change this weekend, clamping down on flexi front-wings, sees a technical change to the front of this year’s cars by just 5mm.
Kieran Jackson previews how the change could shake things up:
What is F1’s new flexi-wing clampdown?
Saturday 31 May 2025 21:45
,
Luke Baker
The FIA are introducing a new regulation regarding flexible front-wings this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, which could shake-up the 2025 season pecking order.
A third of the way through the 2025 F1 season, McLaren are the dominant team, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris the frontrunners for the world championship.
Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari have been languishing in their wake but are all hopeful that this weekend in Barcelona could represent a key turning point.
Lando Norris admits mistakes cost him pole for Spanish Grand Prix
Saturday 31 May 2025 20:45
,
Luke Baker
Lando Norris admitted mistakes cost him pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix – as championship rival Oscar Piastri secured top spot to deal a blow to the British driver’s bid of winning back-to-back races for the first time.
“Oscar drove very well but the pace was easily there today,” said Norris. “Sometimes you don’t put the lap in. I know where I lost that time. I made a mistake at Turn 1 and on the exit of Turn 4.
“I was trying a little bit too much and I wasn’t tidy enough. Just one too many mistakes. I am still fine and happy with second. It is not the end of the world.”
Lewis Hamilton discusses target for Spanish GP
Saturday 31 May 2025 19:45
,
Luke Baker
Lewis Hamilton has had his struggles this season but put his Ferrari in a solid fifth position on the grid for Sunday’s race.
What’s his aim now? He’d love a podium finish
"My goal is to try and get a podium"
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 31, 2025
Lewis Hamilton sets his target for tomorrow pic.twitter.com/SVuKouqo49
McLaren reveals approach to Spanish Grand Prix
Saturday 31 May 2025 18:54
,
Luke Baker
McLaren have both drivers on the front row, so what will their tactics be on Sunday?
They have addressed that question.
What is McLaren's approach for the Spanish GP with both drivers starting in the front row? pic.twitter.com/JcsVLwcTrg
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 31, 2025
Max Verstappen admits it will be tough to beat McLaren
Saturday 31 May 2025 18:05
,
Luke Baker
Max Verstappen secured an impressive third spot in qualifying, clocking the exact same time as George Russell but getting the place ahead of the Brit due to finishing his lap first.
He acknowledges it will be tough to beat McLaren on Sunday though.
"We'll see what we can do tomorrow."
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 31, 2025
Max Verstappen reacts to P3 and says McLaren will be tough to beat tomorrow pic.twitter.com/m0VDFiHssx
Lando Norris discusses second place
Saturday 31 May 2025 17:41
,
Luke Baker
Lando Norris trailed teammate Oscar Piastri in qualifying but he played the company man well, saying he was simply happy that McLaren locked out the front row
"A good result for the team."
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 31, 2025
Lando Norris reacts to a McLaren front row in Spain. pic.twitter.com/UhomAYm2nO
Oscar Piastri beats McLaren team-mate Lando Norris to Spanish Grand Prix pole
Saturday 31 May 2025 17:14
,
Luke Baker
Oscar Piastri delivered a hammer blow to Lando Norris’s bid to win back-to-back races by seeing off his title rival to take a commanding pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Piastri holds a three-point championship lead over Norris, and the Australian delivered in qualifying to beat the British driver by an impressive 0.209 seconds at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya – the biggest pole margin of the season so far.
World champion Max Verstappen took third place for Red Bull, one spot clear of Mercedes’ George Russell. Verstappen and Russell set identical times with the former taking the higher grid slot after setting his time first.
Lewis Hamilton qualified fifth with Kimi Antonelli sixth for Mercedes and Charles Leclerc, who completed just one quick lap in Q3, seventh.
Oscar Piastri reflects on impressive pole position
Saturday 31 May 2025 16:40
,
Luke Baker
Some reaction from the drivers today, starting with pole-sitter Oscar Piastri.
He admitted that his car today was “mega” and is ready for tomorrow’s challenge
"Today the car has been mega."
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 31, 2025
Oscar Piastri reacts to P1 in Spain! pic.twitter.com/TGufRajgyV
Full grid for Spanish Grand Prix
Saturday 31 May 2025 16:29
,
Luke Baker
Here’s how the grid looks for tomorrow’s Spanish GP
1) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
2) Lando Norris - McLaren
3) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
4) George Russell - Mercedes
5) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
6) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
7) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
8) Pierre Gasly - Alpine
9) Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
10) Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
11) Alex Albon - Williams
12) Gabriel Bortoleto - Kick Sauber
13) Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
14) Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
15) Ollie Bearman - Haas
16) Nico Hulkenberg - Kick Sauber
17) Esteban Ocon - Haas
18) Carlos Sainz - Williams
19) Franco Colapinto - Alpine
20) Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
Verstappen and Russell set the same time
Saturday 31 May 2025 16:16
,
Luke Baker
Interestingly, Max Verstappen and George Russell set exactly the same time but the defending champion will start third ahead of the Brit in fourth as he finished his lap first.
Bit of a niche rule but they have to be separate somehow, I suppose
Oscar Piastri in control for Sunday's race
Saturday 31 May 2025 16:11
,
Luke Baker
That’s the biggest pole margin of the season as Oscar Piastri beats Lando Norris by 0.209s. Super impressive from the Australian.
A fourth pole of the year for Piastri and this Barcelona track is one where the pole-sitter has won all but a few races in Spanish GP history. He’ll have rivals snapping at his heels though
Qualifying result - Piastri on pole
Saturday 31 May 2025 16:06
,
Luke Baker
Wow. Great stuff in Q3. A battle between the McLarens for pole and Oscar Piastri wins that fight.
Then the rest battling for third and Verstappen did so well go third. Russell will be pleased with fourth and that’s a good drive from Hamilton in fifth.
Hadjar in the Racing Bull also pips Alonso for ninth.
Spanish GP top 10
1) Piastri
2) Norris
3) Verstappen
4) Russell
5) Hamilton
6) Antonelli
7) Leclerc
8) Gasly
9) Hadjar
10) Alonso
Piastri on pole in a McLaren front-row lockout
Saturday 31 May 2025 16:03
,
Luke Baker
Antonelli into the top five with his lap but men behind him are chasing.
Hamilton goes third! Great lap from the Ferrari. But then Russell goes quicker!
But here’s comes Verstappen. And he goes third! What a drive from Max. Phew! That’s that. McLaren on the front row followed by Verstappen and Russell
Current top 5
1) Norris, 2) Piastri, 3) Verstappen, 4) Russell, 5) Hamilton
Piastri goes on pole
Saturday 31 May 2025 16:01
,
Luke Baker
Norris improves his time slightly but Piastri flying behind him. Oscar Piastri goes on pole - 0.2s better than Norris. Smashed him!
Current top 5
1) Piastri. 2) Norris, 3) Russell, 4) Leclerc, 5) Alonso
McLarens on track
Saturday 31 May 2025 16:00
,
Luke Baker
Our provisional pole sitter Norris the first man to have his final flying lap, with Piastri behind him. Will the order be the same after these?
Piastri up through the first sector... Norris no improvement in the second sector.
Final laps incoming
Saturday 31 May 2025 15:59
,
Luke Baker
Whoops and cheers on the Aston Martin radio for that Alonso lap. I think he’s wrung every bit of juice out of the car there. Could it be enough for a top five.
Cars heading on track for their final flying lap
Current top 5
1) Norris, 2) Piastri, 3) Russell, 4) Leclerc, 5) Alonso
Alonso battles hard.
Saturday 31 May 2025 15:57
,
Luke Baker
Tell you what, that was a good lap by George Russell. Quicker than Verstappen and both Ferraris, behind only the unbeatable McLarens. Third place would be a brilliant performance from the Brit.
Alonso putting in his first lap time of Q3 and he goes fifth. Within half a second of Norris, which is decent. Three minutes left, he’ll be usurped by Verstappen and Hamilton you’d think but that was solid. Typically gritty from the Spaniard.
Current top 5
1) Norris, 2) Piastri, 3) Russell, 4) Leclerc, 5) Alonso
Norris goes quickest!
Saturday 31 May 2025 15:55
,
Luke Baker
WOW! For the first time this weekend, Norris is quicke