Lando Norris tops the timesheets in FP1, followed by Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton — but it’s Ferrari that seems to be in great shape!
McLaren continues to shine, with Norris leading the first free practice session in Barcelona. However, it’s Charles Leclerc and Ferrari that turned heads with a race pace that, at least for now, looks good enough to win. Norris finished ahead of Verstappen and Hamilton, but the long runs tell a different story.
Mercedes struggled significantly on the yellow (medium) tyre, with almost a one-second gap separating Leclerc from both W16s — a worrying sign for the Silver Arrows on a track like Barcelona.
Ferrari ambassador Marc Gené shared some insights into the SF-25’s performance: “Fuel levels are consistent with other rounds, which makes Leclerc’s long run incredibly positive. We’ll see more in FP2, which is more representative, but this is a great start,” he told Sky Sport F1. “Fuel levels are consistent with other rounds, which makes Leclerc’s long run incredibly positive. We’ll see more in FP2, which is more representative, but this is a great start” he told Sky Sport F1. As for the home heroes, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, they closed the session down in 13th and 15th, respectively.
Looking deeper at the numbers, only two drivers averaged lap times under the 1:20 mark: Leclerc and Verstappen. But while the Dutchman only completed a four-lap long run, Leclerc did a ten-lap stint with impressive tyre management — another signal of Ferrari’s strong form.
All eyes now turn to FP2, which will either confirm Ferrari’s early dominance… or bring it back to reality.
Photo: McLaren
