Piastri Dominates FP3 as McLaren Concludes Spanish GP Practice Sweep
Barcelona, Spain – Oscar Piastri delivered a standout performance in the final practice session of the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, securing a top time of 1m12.387s and ensuring McLaren achieved a clean sweep across all practice sessions. Teammate Lando Norris followed closely, clocking in at 1m12.913s, solidifying McLaren’s strong form ahead of qualifying.
The session commenced under intense midday heat, with limited action during the initial minutes. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc initially set the pace with a lap time of 1m13.941s, before George Russell of Mercedes took the lead at 1m13.396s, showcasing Mercedes’ competitive edge. However, it was Max Verstappen who momentarily captured the lead with a 1m13.375s lap, demonstrating exceptional handling of Barcelona’s high-speed final sector.
Norris struggled with porpoising issues, causing him to abandon an early fast lap. However, he ultimately recovered to secure a commendable second place. Piastri’s lap late in the session confirmed McLaren’s momentum, positioning him firmly at the top.
Leclerc finished third, trailing Piastri by seven tenths of a second, with Russell and Verstappen completing the top five. Isack Hadjar remained a notable presence, finishing sixth for Racing Bulls. Fernando Alonso continued to impress in eighth for Aston Martin, while Lewis Hamilton’s ninth-place result revealed ongoing struggles for Mercedes, impacted by reported gear shift issues.
In a noteworthy incident, Williams’ Alex Albon was restricted to just five laps due to a master cylinder and braking system issue, a situation under investigation by his team.
FP3 Results Summary:
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1m12.387s
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1m12.913s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1m13.058s
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1m13.396s
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1m13.375s
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1m13.745s
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1m13.868s
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1m13.914s
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 1m13.495s
- Liam Lawson (Red Bull) – 1m13.912s
As teams prepare for qualifying, McLaren’s form positions them as significant contenders, while Mercedes faces critical challenges in addressing performance gaps.
