FP1: Norris tops opening practice, Hamilton ends up third fastest at Barcelona

McLaren driver Lando Norris led reigning champion Max Verstappen in the opening practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix, while Ferrari pair Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished third and fourth fastest respectively. F1Technical's senior writer Balazs Szabo reports on FP1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

On the back of his maiden victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, McLaren driver Lando Norris demonstrated that the Woking-based outfit will not be massively affected by the stricter front wing load test by going quickest in the opening practice at Barcelona.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen failed to finish on the podium at Monte Carlo as he struggled for pace on the narrow streets of the Principality. However, he sounded an optimistic note when he revealed his expectations for this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. The opening practice confirmed his positive sentiments as he went second quickest in FP1.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton looked quick on Pirelli's soft tyres, going third quickest while his team-mate Charles Leclerc put the other Scuderia car in fourth.

Championship leader Oscar Piastri was left in fifth after the Monaco weekend when he looked sligthly off the pace compared to his team-mate Norris.

Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar had a very positive weekend at Monaco as the Faenza-based outfit scored points with both cars. The Kiwi and the Frenchman took sixth and eighth respectively, displaying encouraging pace in FP1.

Haas driver Ollie Bearman sandwiched between Lawson and Hadjar, while Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10.

George Russell was P11 from Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll (P12), Fernando Alonso(P13), Nico Hulkenberg (P14) and Williams’ Carlos Sainz (P15).

Gabriel Bortoleto set the 16th quickest time for Kick Sauber, ahead of Rio Hirakawa in 17th, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli down in 18th, Victor Martins in 19th on his FP1 debut and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto in 20th place.