Max second in Spain FP1

Published on 21 June 2024 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen started his Spanish Grand Prix weekend by setting the second quickest time in the opening practice session. McLaren’s Lando Norris lapped the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya quickest with Carlos Sainz completing the top three in his Ferrari.

The session gets underway in clear conditions with most team heading out straight away. Yuki Tsunoda (RB) and Sainz start their weekend on the wrong foot with the former’s rear wing clattering whilst using the DRS and the latter reporting power loss issues. Both return to their respective teams in the pits and are able to continue after a short stay in their boxes.

Meanwhile, Max heads out on the hard Pirellis tyres to clock his first laps of the afternoon. At the halfway mark, the Dutchman is quickest.

With less than half an hour to go, the first drivers head out on the soft Pirelli tyres. George Russell is the first driver to better his time, soon followed by Sainz. After the flurry of fast laps, Norris is quickest. The remaining third of the session is used predominantly for long runs to gather data for Sunday’s Grand Prix. It does mean that Norris remains at the top of leaderboard when the sessions ends, followed by Max and Sainz.

Contest GP Spain: win a by Max Verstappen signed Verstappen.com Racing cap!

Results first free practice Spain: