Oscar Piastri took pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix, a track where the initial leader has dominated historically, with Lando Norris and Max Verstappen following in behind. George Russell pipped Lewis Hamilton to fourth after two impressive final runs from the Brits, with Hamilton outqualifying Leclerc for the second time this season in a controversial session.
The McLarens entered the session as heavy favourites to take pole, with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner even admitting that the rest of the grid were simply battling for a place on the second row. Norris and Piastri were tipped to be most affected by the FIA’s flexi-wing clampdown in Barcelona.
A new technical directive in Spain meant that front wings now must pass tougher and more sustained flex tests by the governing body, but during both practice sessions, the McLarens looked unbothered by the new regulations.
That was the case especially for Piastri in Q1, who virtually led from start to finish. A huge blockade appeared when Franco Colapinto got stuck in the pit lane with an issue and his rivals eventually had to drive around the Argentine. He was in 11th with a few minutes remaining but mechanical problems forced him into an early exit.
He was joined by Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda, Esteban Ocon, Nico Hulkenberg and home favourite Carlos Sainz. Tsunoda was 0.587 seconds behind team-mate Verstappen despite insisting that he had a “clean lap.”
In Q2, Nico Rosberg described the Ferrari as “undrivable” but Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both found enough pace to compete for the second row. A struggling Kimi Antonelli was offered a tow by George Russell, however the Brit was kept in the garage for the final few minutes.
The teenager made it into Q3 though as Oliver Bearman, Lance Stroll, Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto and Alex Albon went out. Isack Hadjar put in a stunning lap when it mattered to split the Ferraris and go into sixth.
Albon fumed over the team radio at Haas, insisting they were driving purposefully slow in order to keep his Williams behind. He claimed: “They were dirty! Dirty! Haas. They knew what they were doing. Purposefully slow in sector three.”
The two McLarens, Verstappen, Russell and Hamilton all went out with two sets of new softs for Q3. Piastri just about avoided giving his team-mate, Norris, a tow after his first lap.
Russell moved second after a strong run only for Norris to then take provisional pole by 0.017s. Russell fumed that Mercedes were “too conservative” over the radio, clearly of the opinion that pole was there for the taking.
Leclerc, at P4, decided not to go back out for a final run as he had no new tyres.
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