Lando Norris Tops Spanish GP First Practice Amidst Flexi-Wing Focus

McLaren`s performance in the first practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix showed no apparent negative impact from the new regulations targeting flexible front wings. Lando Norris secured the fastest time, outpacing Max Verstappen.

Just five days after his significant maiden victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, which boosted his championship aspirations, Norris was back at the top of the timing sheets. At the hot Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, he posted an impressive lap of 1:13.718 on soft tires.

Norris finished 0.367 seconds ahead of Red Bull`s Max Verstappen and 0.378 seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari. Hamilton demonstrated promising single-lap speed early in his Barcelona weekend.

The rest of the field was over half a second behind, including Norris`s teammate and championship leader, Oscar Piastri, who finished fifth behind Charles Leclerc in the other Ferrari.

Former world champion Nico Rosberg commented on Norris`s form, questioning if the Monaco win had given him the confidence boost needed to return to his peak. Rosberg observed that Norris looked “absolutely confident and flying” on track.

Max Verstappen spent approximately 20 minutes in the garage during the latter half of the session, with Red Bull appearing to make adjustments to the rear of his car.

F1`s New Front-Wing Rules Under Scrutiny in Spain

This session was the first since the introduction of more stringent load tests for front wings, a measure implemented by the sport`s governing body to prevent bodywork from flexing excessively.

As a result of these new rules, most teams ran updated front wings in this practice session. McLaren was a notable exception, suggesting they had already tested a compliant wing earlier in the season.

McLaren`s car has previously been highlighted by some competitors as potentially benefiting most from flexible wings, though the team has repeatedly stated that the rule changes would not significantly harm their performance.

Norris`s immediate pace-setting performance, initially on hard and then soft tires, lends further support to McLaren`s assertion.

Mercedes was another leading team that did not introduce a new front wing. However, they made modifications to the W16`s floor and rear wing in an effort to improve performance after two disappointing races.

George Russell was the faster Mercedes driver, finishing 11th. His quickest lap was set on the slower medium compound tires.

Kimi Antonelli finished 18th in the second Mercedes, also using mediums. Racing Bulls had both cars in the top 10, with Liam Lawson in sixth and Isack Hadjar in eighth.

Oliver Bearman finished seventh for Haas. Haas ran Japanese reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa in the other car for the opening session, fulfilling the requirement for teams to use inexperienced drivers in four practice sessions throughout the season.

Hirakawa was involved in the session`s only minor incident, running through the gravel at Turn 10 in the early minutes. He finished 17th.

Victor Martins, substituting for Alex Albon at Williams, was 19th fastest.

Spanish GP Practice One Timesheet