GP in Barcelona

Norris wins first test of strength in Barcelona

Lewis Hamilton(Bild: AFP OR LICENSORS)

Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton has set the fastest time in practice at the start of the Grand Prix weekend in Spain. The Briton relegated local hero Carlos Sainz (+0.022 seconds) in the Ferrari to second place by a wafer-thin margin with a time of 1:13.264 minutes on Friday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Third in second practice was McLaren man Lando Norris (+0.055 seconds), who had set the first fastest time of the day.

World champion Max Verstappen was second in the first session, with the Red Bull driver finishing fifth in the afternoon. The top four teams were close together. Verstappen and Hamilton were only separated by 0.240 seconds. "The car isn't biting," Verstappen radioed in between bouts of dissatisfaction and later called for "the other wing". His team-mate Sergio Perez finished fifth and 13th.

Mercedes, meanwhile, appear to be continuing to make progress. "Today is just for paper form. But it's better to be in front on Friday than not," said team boss Toto Wolff on ORF.

Formula 1 is contesting the 1,111th Grand Prix in its history this weekend. Verstappen leads the championship standings after six victories in the first new races. He already has 56 points more than second-placed Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. The Dutchman is aiming for his third Spanish victory in a row this Sunday (3pm). Hamilton has already triumphed six times in Montmelo near Barcelona, most recently in 2021.