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Formula 1 Spanish GP Review: Verstappen gets a hard fought victory

Verstappen clinched a hard-fought victory over Norris on the pole, with Hamilton returning to the podium, while Ferrari suffered from a lack of pace.

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12 months ago

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The 2024 Spanish Grand Prix held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was a thriller. A race of exceptional driving, strategic brilliance, and intense competition among the top three teams. Still, it was Max Verstappen who emerged victorious for Red Bull Racing.

Practice

The three practice sessions were all closely contested. Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz were the only 2 drivers to be in the top 3 of all the 3 Practice sessions.

During the first practice session, the weather was dry, unlike the mixed conditions in Canada during the last round. Oliver Bearman drove Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas as part of his planned six practice appearances with the team in 2024. Some teams used the session to test their upgrades for the weekend, including VCARB.

The session was briefly red-flagged to clear debris from Alonso’s car before the action resumed. Norris ended the session on top with a time of 1m 14.228s in the McLaren, 0.024s faster than Verstappen in second place, even though the latter experienced clutch issues. Sainz put his Ferrari in third place.

During the second practice session later that day, Logan Sargent had a close moment and managed to save his Williams after losing the rear. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen reported that his RB20 was experiencing understeer mid-corner, stating: “This car doesn’t bite.” Lewis Hamilton held the top spot with a lap time of 1m 13.264s. Sainz stayed in P2, with Norris taking P3 in the McLaren. Pierre Gasly was a shocking P4 for Alpine, putting him ahead of Verstappen in P5.

After a closely contested FP2, it was time for the final practice session before qualifying. The drivers tested their one-lap pace in preparation for the battle for pole position. Carlos Sainz topped the times with an impressive 1m 13.013s, closely followed by Lando Norris with 1m 13.043s and Charles Leclerc with 1m 13.050s.

During the sessions, both Charles Leclerc and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin were found to have impeded Norris and Hamilton in separate incidents. They both cut across Norris and Hamilton, resulting in contact in both cases. As a result, both Leclerc and Stroll were reprimanded for “erratic driving”.

Qualifying

The mixed results of the practice sessions left us puzzled about the grid order for the race as it was quite unclear who had the better car. Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session was crucial, with 30 of the 33 Grand Prix winners at the Barcelona circuit having started from the front row of the grid.

The heavily upgraded VCARB failed to impress as both cars were out in Q1, with Yuki leading Daniel in 17th and 18th place. Williams too had a tough outing with the team locking out the front row. Albon was a comfortable 4 tenths clear of his teammate. He would later start the race from the pit lane due to a change in the power unit. With rumors of Logan being replaced for next year, performances like these don’t help his case. Kevin Magnussen failed to reach Q2 as well, his first Q1 elimination since Imola.

No shocking eliminations in Q2 this time around with Both Aston Martins, Saubers, and the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg failing to reach Q3.

Alpine had the best qualifying of the season, with both cars making it to Q3. However, it was Lando Norris who put in a perfect lap to secure pole position at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. A final lap time of 1m 11.383s for Norris, narrowly beating Max Verstappen. It was the Brit’s second pole position, the first since 2021 at the Russian Grand Prix. Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell took P3 and P4 respectively, showing strong performance. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz locked the third row for Ferrari. Sergio Perez finished eighth but will drop three places due to a grid penalty from Canada, promoting Esteban Ocon and Oscar Piastri.

Embed from Getty Images

“It was pretty much a perfect lap”

lando norris

Race

It was evident that the Redbulls were not the outright fastest car going into the weekend with close competition from the McLarens and Ferraris. Mercedes surprisingly was quick and was expecting to have a podium finish.

When it was lights out, Lando Norris got a poor getaway resulting in losing the start to Verstappen, it was Russell who made up the best of the situation with a slipstream from the pair ahead to take the lead of the Grand Prix with brave around the outside of turn 1. The Aston Martin of Alonso, starting in 11th position, dropped back after seemingly being tagged from behind. He was forced to take to the escape road at Turn 1, which left him in 14th place.

However, despite Russell’s mega start, his lead of the race wouldn’t last long as Verstappen overtook him on the outside of Turn 1 on the third lap. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz also overtook his teammate Charles Leclerc at the same turn, with the two Ferraris appearing to touch as Sainz used the escape road. Despite this, he successfully moved up to P5. The stewards briefly reviewed whether he had left the track and gained an advantage but decided no further investigation was necessary. But both teammates were unhappy about the incident and they complained over the radio.

On Lap 13, began the first wave of pitstops with Perez pitting on what would be the first of his 3-stop strategy, while Gasly had a slow stop of 6.7s ruing his race start efforts, George Russell dived to the pits on lap 15 but avoided a close coming together in the pits with Carlos Sainz by staying ahead of him by mere inches. Soon Verstappen reacted to him by pitting on lap 17 with an error-free pitstop of 1.9s, while Norris decided to stay out taking the lead and looking to extend this advantage.

During Lap 18 of the Grand Prix, Hamilton found himself in an intense battle for sixth position with Sainz. With the help of DRS, Hamilton made a move going into Turn 1 of the next lap, resulting in the two cars touching. Sainz expressed his frustration over the radio, claiming that Hamilton ran him off the track and insisting that Hamilton needed to let him pass. Despite Sainz’s complaints, no further investigation was conducted regarding their collision.

Norris finally came into the pits to change his soft tires. He re-entered the race behind Russell and was determined to quickly pass him to catch up to race leader Verstappen. On lap 34, Norris was able to close the gap on the Mercedes using the DRS on the main straight, leading to an intense side-by-side battle between turns 3 and 7. Norris demonstrated excellent racecraft and utilized his tire advantage to successfully overtake Russell.

With 20 laps to go, Hamilton was putting pressure on Sainz for sixth place. He managed to overtake Sainz into Turn 1, and Norris was then instructed to pit on the next lap. However, Norris’s 3.6-second pit stop cost him valuable time, allowing Verstappen to regain the lead, with Norris staying ahead of Russell in second place. Meanwhile, in 11th place, Hulkenberg’s chances of moving into the points were harmed when he received a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Gasly and Ocon in the Alpines were holding onto ninth and 10th place, raising hopes for a double-point finish for the team. Tsunoda, who was in last place, also received a five-second penalty for the same pit lane speeding offense as Hulkenberg.

Lower down the order, 11th-placed Hulkenberg’s hopes of breaking into the points-paying positions suffered a blow as he was handed a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane – the Alpines of Gasly and Ocon currently holding onto ninth and 10th as the team’s hopes for another double points finish continued to grow. Tsunoda, running in a lowly last place, was also hit with a five-second penalty of his own for the same offense as Hulkenberg.

In the final stages of the Grand Prix, Norris was the fastest driver on the track, closing in on Verstappen’s lead, which was around 6.6 seconds. Max was forced to push hard to maintain his lead as Norris narrowed the gap. However, with only a few laps left, Norris was running out of time to secure his second career win. By Lap 65, the gap had decreased to just 2.3 seconds. Despite Norris’s efforts, Verstappen was able to hold him off and win by just a 2.219-second margin, to the disappointment of Norris and the crowd, who had hoped for a last-lap battle for the win.

Embed from Getty Images

Norris was visibly frustrated as he crossed the finish line. He admitted over his radio that messing up the start had cost him a chance of victory today. However, Verstappen celebrated his 106th podium finish, placing him tied for fourth on the all-time list with legends Alain Prost and Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton returned to the podium, making it his 18th continuous season with a podium finish.

Embed from Getty Images

Another interesting story was lower down the order with both Alpines finishing in points at 9th and 10th for the first time this season after they had the worst start to the season, this shows that the team is heading in the right direction, and also coinciding with the return of former Renault team principal Flavio Briatore to team as an executive advisor.

Championship Standings after the race:

Verstappen extends his championship lead on top while Norris jumps Leclerc to move into P2.

Formula 1 Spanish GP Review: Verstappen gets a hard fought victory
Top 10 in the Drivers’ Championship after Spanish GP (Image: F1)

In the team’s standing Red Bull Racing remains on top, while Alpine jump Haas thanks to their double points finish.

Formula 1 Spanish GP Review: Verstappen gets a hard fought victory

Up Next

All eyes turn to the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix at the iconic Red Bull Ring at Spielberg. After facing challenges in the previous race, Red Bull Racing will be eager to reclaim its former dominance, while Mclaren will be looking to push for wins. With the championship battle heating up, fans can expect an exhilarating weekend of racing action as the teams and drivers vie for glory on Austrian soil.

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Formula 1

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

Published

1 week ago

on

June 13, 2025

By

Formula 1
Credits: Red Bull Content Pool

The Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix that took place on June 1 2025, wrapped up the second triple header of the 75th edition of Formula 1. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya held the last Spanish Grand Prix, as the event is set to relocate to Madrid from 2026.

As two of the three triple headers of this season end, with the McLaren duo separated by 10 points and Max Verstappen breathing down their necks, let’s review how each of the 3-week long racing action has affected the championship battle.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

Max, Lando and Oscar [Left to Right] at the Japanese GP 2025

Japan-Bahrain-Saudi Arabia

The opening triple header of the season delivered some great racing action. Max Verstappen proved to the world that he is never out of the championship fight, with his dominant pole-to-victory performance, despite McLaren having the car advantage. The Flying Dutchman marked his 4th consecutive win at Suzuka while the Papaya duo completed the podium. Hadjar gained his first points in Formula 1 in P8.

Oscar Piastri stood at the top step of the podium at Bahrain for his 50th Formula 1 race, delivering McLaren’s first ever win at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The young Australian started at pole and led every lap, showcasing his talent, while his teammate and championship rival, Lando Norris, finished P3 despite his 5-second penalty for a false start. Multiple technical failures and a pit signal fault resulted in Max finishing P6, costing him several championship points. The Dutch wasn’t the only one suffering from technical issues, as George Russell’s Mercedes faced multiple troubles, despite which he finished P2 fending off Norris.

Another weekend, another win for Piastri. This one is even more special as it led to him becoming the first Australian to lead the championship since Mark Webber, his manager, in 2010. Even though Verstappen received a 5-second penalty during the race, he finished P2. Ferrari seemed to finally get back into their rhythm as Charles Leclerc garnered the Italian team’s first podium of the year with a solid P3. Williams’ double points finish marked their surge among the midfield, pushing them up to 5th in the championship.

The triple header ended with Oscar Piastri leading the championship, 7 points ahead of teammate Lando Norris, who himself was just 5 points ahead of reigning champion Max Verstappen. With the top 5 separated by only 30 points, the fight for the championship was on.

Imola-Monaco-Spain

The second and the most recent triple header had all three title contenders win each race. Max Verstappen overtook pole-sitter Oscar Piastri on the first lap to secure his 4th win here, while Lando and Oscar completed the podium. Franco Colapinto, who replaced rookie Jack Doohan from this race onwards, started and finished at P16, delivering a lukewarm debut performance.

At Monaco, Lando Norris secured his first win at the Principality, fending off homeboy Charles Leclerc in P2. Oscar stayed in P3, as most of the grid finished exactly where they qualified, apart from Fernando Alonso, claiming to be “the unluckiest driver”, who retired from P6 due to an engine failure.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

Lando after his win at the Monaco GP (Credits: Formula 1)

The latest race, the Spanish Grand Prix, delivered equal parts of racing and drama. All was well till lap 60 when the safety car came out. RedBull pitted Max for a fourth time and sent him out with brand new hard tires, which, due to not warming up properly for the restart, led him to lose a position to Leclerc. Another incident with Russell resulted in Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase requesting him to let the Briton through. Initially refusing, on lap 64, Max appeared to let Russell go past him, but swerved into him on turn 5, causing a collision.

This unnecessary action and RedBull pit wall’s questionable decisions resulted in Verstappen being handed a 10-second penalty and 3 penalty points, which critically impacted his championship battle. Nico Hulkenberg in his Sauber, overtook 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari on the penultimate lap, securing a P5 finish. Fernando Alonso also ended his pointless run, garnering 2 points at his home grand prix. The McLaren duo clinched a 1-2 finish, avoiding all the drama behind them.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

The second triple header ends with Ferrari shooting up two places to reach P2 in the Constructors’ Championship Standings, although McLaren leads with a comfortable 197 points.

The Drivers’ Championship is very close, with Norris only 10 points behind the leader Piastri. Max, however, due to his 10-second penalty, lags by 49 points, staying at P3.

FORMULA 1 TRIPLE HEADER REVIEW: CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE SO FAR

The next and final triple header consists of the last three races of this season: Las Vegas-Qatar-Abu Dhabi. As the championship stands, it’s fair to speculate that the battle could go on till the final triple header. As we lie in wait till the next race weekend in Canada, let’s enjoy the on and off-track drama unfolding in front of our eyes.

Will Oscar Piastri be the first Australian World Champion since Alan Jones in 1980, or will teammate Lando Norris be successful in retaking the lead of the championship? Never count Max Verstappen out, as he also has the chance to defend his title. Any mid-season upgrades could bring George Russell or Charles Leclerc to the fight as well. The prestigious 75th anniversary of Formula 1 is definitely providing some great battles, which unfortunately can only be won by one.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

Formula 1 Heads To Canada: What To Expect

Published

1 week ago

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June 13, 2025

By

Formula 1 Canadian GP

The anticipation is building as the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix approaches, bringing Formula 1 back to the iconic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Set against the backdrop of the St. Lawrence River, this high-speed, high-stakes race is a mid-season favourite known for dramatic overtakes, unpredictable weather, and passionate fans. With championship battles heating up and teams pushing the limits of performance, the 2025 edition promises another thrilling chapter in Canada’s rich motorsport history. Here’s a look at what to expect as the engines roar back to life in one of F1’s most beloved venues.

About The Track

Formula 1 Heads To Canada: What To Expect
Credit: formula1.com



The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve offers a technically demanding layout that balances high-speed sections with heavy braking zones. Turns 1 and 2 require precise throttle control and set the tone for the lap.

The Turn 10 hairpin is a critical overtaking point, featuring one of the heaviest braking zones on the calendar and leading onto a 1.2 km straight where DRS can be deployed. This back straight leads to the final chicane (Turns 13 and 14), where late braking offers a chance to pass, though drivers must be cautious of the infamous “Wall of Champions” on exit. A second DRS zone along the main straight aids slipstreaming into Turn 1, making the circuit a prime venue for intense and strategic battles on track and in the pit lane.

Pirelli’s Specifications


Pirelli has selected the softest compounds on the spectrum, meaning the C6 (soft), C5 (medium), and C4 (hard) compound tires will be in use throughout the weekend.

Track Evolution being on a 5/5 rating denotes that times will tumble on Saturday during the Qualifying session, so drivers will need to be consistent on every lap.

Stories This Weekend

Piastri With The Momentum

Oscar Piastri led a controversial Spanish Grand Prix from start to finish, keeping his distance from his rivals. He leads the Drivers Championship by 10 points over his teammate, a battle that will continue to run till the end of the season. The Aussie is very much in contention for his first-ever title, so he will need any and every win he can get. That’s what he’s going to be gunning for in Montreal.



Max Nears A Ban

Max Verstappen is now just 1 penalty point away from a Race Ban, which presents an opportunity for Arvid Lindbald to potentially make his F1 debut for VCARB, and Isack Hadjar a seat in the senior Red Bull team.
Notably, Isack Hadjar has scored more points than Max Verstappen has in the last 2 races.

Formula 1 Heads To Canada: What To Expect
BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 01: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands gets off the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 after the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 01, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Stroll At Home

Lance Stroll withdrew from the Spanish Grand Prix following a concern about his wrist injury from 2023. He is now preparing to hit the ground running and score some points at his home race.



200 Races For Haas

The American Team achieves a landmark 200 race appearances. They have prepared special race suits for this occasion and, of course, a special livery. With a race so close to home, the pair of Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon will be gunning for the top 10.


2026 Calendar Reveal


Weekend Schedule



Weather Forecast

Friday: 18°C, Wind 6 km/h, 1% chance of rain
Saturday: 21°C, Wind 11 km/h, 1% chance of rain
Sunday: 23°C, Wind 9 km/h, 2% chance of rain.

Conditions seem to be stable, allowing for consistent data throughout practice sessions and the race.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

Piastri For The Win, McLaren Double Podium, Max Receives 3 Penalty Points: 2025 Spanish GP Review

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 6, 2025

By

Oscar Piastri celebrates after winning the Spanish GP

Oscar Piastri delivered a masterclass in Barcelona, capping off a rollercoaster triple-header with a dominant win at the Spanish Grand Prix. The weekend was filled with uncertainty following the FIA’s new Technical Directive clamping down on flexi-wings, forcing every team except McLaren to scramble with upgrades. In the end, it was Piastri who capitalised on the chaos.

Piastri was in a league of his own all weekend, topping two of three practice sessions, grabbing pole with the largest margin of the season, and controlling the race from lights to flag. Calm, calculated, and clinical—this was a coming-of-age drive from the Aussie, who now leads the World Drivers’ Championship by 10 points.

Teammate Lando Norris made it a McLaren front row lockout, though he briefly lost P2 to Max Verstappen at the start. A smooth move down the inside of Turn 1 reclaimed the spot, and Norris brought the car home for a strong 1-2 finish, underlining McLaren’s dominance.

Embed from Getty Images


Max Verstappen Nears A Race Ban

Max Verstappen’s weekend was turbulent. He qualified P3 and had a lightning start to slot into P2, but that was as good as it got. Red Bull’s risky 3-stop strategy was undone by a late Safety Car, forcing Max onto hard tyres no one else dared to use.

A flurry of battles followed, and contact with George Russell. The stewards slapped Verstappen with a 10-second penalty and 3 penalty points, leaving him just one point away from a race ban. The reigning champ now walks a razor’s edge heading into Montreal.

Piastri For The Win, McLaren Double Podium, Max Receives 3 Penalty Points: 2025 Spanish GP Review
BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 01: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 leads Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 01, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool


Leclerc Lands A Top 3

Charles Leclerc fought his way from a P7 start to finish third, claiming his first-ever Spanish GP podium. A strong opening lap and a razor-sharp Safety Car restart helped him leapfrog Verstappen.

His teammate Lewis Hamilton had a contrasting story. After qualifying P5, he was overtaken by Nico Hülkenberg late in the race and finished P6. Post-race, a dejected Hamilton said there were “no positives” to take from the weekend.


Merc’s Bittersweet Weekend

George Russell had a quietly strong weekend, qualifying P4 and securing P4 in the race, surviving the Verstappen clash and banking valuable points. Rookie Kimi Antonelli wasn’t as lucky. An engine failure forced his retirement, marking the first time in triple-header history that a Mercedes driver failed to score points.


Sauber In The Top 5

Sauber shocked the paddock. Nico Hülkenberg, starting P15, carved his way through the field with some smart overtakes and Safety Car timing to finish P5, his best result since 2019. Teammate Bortoleto also impressed, showing glimpses of pace before fading late.

Two Sides Of The Home Race

For Spanish fans, it was a weekend of extremes. Carlos Sainz suffered a Q1 exit and could only recover to P14, yet another home race disappointment for Williams. Albon also had a disappointing weekend, contact when being overtaken resulted in front wing damage, forcing him to retire.

Fernando Alonso, on the other hand, gave the crowd something to cheer about. With daring late-race moves, he scored his first points of the season, offering a glimmer of hope for Aston Martin. Lance Stroll, still managing a wrist issue from 2023, withdrew before lights out, casting doubt on his home GP appearance in Canada.

Race Results



Standings



Next Race Weekend In Montreal

Oscar Piastri now leads the WDC by 10 points over his teammate, and both McLarens will be looking to extend their lead at the top
Max will need to keep his nose clean, as with just 1 more penalty point, he will be banned for a race.
Home Hero Lance Stroll is still doubtful to appear at his home race, which means one of Aston Martin’s reserves may get an opportunity to prove themselves.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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