Lando Norris can take the lead of the Formula 1 championship by beating teammate Oscar Piastri to victory at the Spanish Grand Prix today.
The gap between the McLaren drivers is just three points after Norris got back to winning ways at last week’s chaotic Monaco Grand Prix.
Hot on their rear-wing is Max Verstappen who has driven himself into title contention despite continued problems with his Red Bull RB21 car.
Here’s everything you need to know about today’s race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya:
At a glance
What happened in qualifying?
Piastri put in a fantastic final lap in qualifying to snatch pole position away from Norris with a time of 1:11.546 – two tenths quicker than his main championship rival.
Remarkably, Verstappen and George Russell set the exact same lap time, but the reigning champion will start ahead as he set the time first.
Sir Lewis Hamilton said his car was ‘undriveable’ in practice but managed to qualify fifth, while there was disaster for the other Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda who will start the race in last place.
Spanish drivers Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz had contrasting Saturdays, qualifying 10th and 18th respectively.
Spanish Grand Prix starting grid
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
What time is the Spanish Grand Prix?
Lights out for the Spanish Grand Prix is today at 2pm UK time.
The race is 66 laps long, with Max Verstappen currently holding the lap record with a time of 1:16.330 that was set in 2023.
Predictably for Spain, there’s zero chance of a wet race, with nothing but bright sunshine and scorching temperatures of 31C forecast.
How to watch the Spanish Grand Prix in the UK
The race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event, with their coverage set to begin at 12.30pm
Highlights will be shown on Channel 4 at 6.30pm.
Or better still, you can follow all the action on Metro’s LIVE blog from 1pm.
Johnny Herbert’s title prediction
Speaking ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Johnny Herbert believes Lando Norris will be pipped to the title by his teammate.
‘I still think Oscar Piastri is the favourite for the Drivers Championship because he’s becoming a force to be reckoned with,’ the former F1 race winner told Fast Slots.
F1 championship standings
Drivers
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 161pts
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 158pts
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 136pts
Constructors
- McLaren – 319pts
- Mercedes – 147pts
- Red Bull – 143pts
‘But it’s the change of when he first came on board. He was finding his way. Now he’s found his way. And from this point on, he’s only going to grow stronger and stronger. Like I think we saw with Max Verstappen.
‘Oscar Piastri is pretty much close to knowing what he needs to do from within his own team with Mark Webber [his manager], also knowing what needs to happen from the media side, but also then what happens within the team itself.
‘He’s even outfoxing Max in a racing situation and getting the better of Max. So, he’s playing that race-craft very smartly at the moment. He’s putting down a marker and making a statement.’
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