FP2 in Spain: Piastri ahead, Russell in second place. Verstappen and Norris follow, but the Dutchman appears to be on top on race pace. Doubts on Ferrari
The Formula 1 circus has landed in Barcelona for Round 9 of the 2025 season at the iconic Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Following a masterful win in Monaco, Lando Norris arrived in Spain with a clear goal: take control of the championship standings
The weekend began with Norris topping the first free practice session, edging out teammate Oscar Piastri by half a second. Both Ferrari and Verstappen showed promising signs in terms of race pace. With FP2 underway, all eyes turned to long-run performance.
LIVE- The recap of the FP2
18:00- Chequered Flag
Session over in Barcelona, and McLaren maintains its grip on the leaderboard. Oscar Piastri finishes fastest, but Max Verstappen’s long-run pace raises serious concerns for his rivals. Norris was also flying in the closing stages. Ferrari, meanwhile, failed to build on their encouraging FP1 performance. Here are the top six times:
- Oscar Piastri 1:12:760
- George Russell 1:13:046
- Max Verstappen 1:13:070
- Lando Norris 1:13:070
- Charles Leclerc 1:13:260
- Kimi Antonelli 1:13:298
17:54- Verstappen in Command; Ferrari Off the Pace
Verstappen continues to impress on longer runs. Leclerc, by contrast, lapped in 1:20.3—well off his earlier form and a sign of Ferrari’s declining pace
17:50- Red Bull Shows Strength in Long Runs
On medium tyres, Verstappen posted consistent and competitive times. McLaren matched closely on similar compounds. Ferrari, also on mediums, couldn’t keep up with the Dutch driver’s rhythm
17:39- Long-Run Simulations Begin
Mercedes faces severe tyre degradation on the soft compound, affecting both cars. Meanwhile, Verstappen and Norris opt for mediums to start their race simulations
17:33- Hamilton Frustrated
“The car is not driveable,” radioed Lewis Hamilton—a strong statement from the seven-time World Champion, who finished the session in 11th
17:30- Piastri Rockets to P1
Piastri sets the benchmark with a stunning 1:12.760, nearly three-tenths clear of Russell. Leclerc ends the session fifth, half a second off the pace.
17:28- Verstappen e Norris Dead Even
Both drivers clocked identical lap times, just 24 thousandths behind Russell, showing how tight the competition is between McLaren and Red Bull.
17:25- Mercedes Leads Early on Softs
Russell goes quickest with a 1:13.046, followed closely by rookie Kimi Antonelli, as Mercedes becomes the first team to switch to the soft tyres.
17:16-Russell Tops Yellow-Tyre Runs
Russell sets a 1:13.501 on mediums, a tenth quicker than Norris. Most teams still on yellow compounds at this stage.
17:11-Verstappen Between the McLarens
Verstappen splits the McLaren duo in the standings. Antonelli is an impressive fourth, while Leclerc lags behind in seventh
17:05- McLaren Sets the Early Pace
Norris resumes where he left off in FP1 with a 1:13.636, ahead of Piastri by three-tenths. Rivals yet to show their hand
17:00- GREEN FLAG! FP2 is about to start :Leclerc immediately on track
Photo: McLaren, Scuderia Ferrari HP
