FP1: Norris leads Verstappen and Sainz in Barcelona FP1 as Alonso red flags

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Lando Norris paced the field in the opening practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix, leading Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz as Formula 1 embarks on a triple-header stretch.

Check out the results of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend in Barcelona, including the race results, qualifying times, and practice sessions

Sunny skies welcomed the teams at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, enabling an active session with many cars queuing at the pit exit when the lights turned green. Oliver Bearman took Nico Hulkenberg's Haas for the second of his six scheduled 2024 practice outings.

Teams utilized FP1 for testing and implementing upgrades, crucial for the weekend ahead. However, it wasn't smooth for everyone; Sergio Perez faced throttle issues, and Charles Leclerc criticized his Ferrari’s handling.

Verstappen initially topped the timesheets with a 1m 15.424s lap before a red flag interrupted proceedings to clear debris from Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin. Post-interruption, Norris clocked a 1m 14.228s to lead the session, narrowly edging Verstappen by 0.024s despite the latter's clutch issues. Sainz placed third in his Ferrari.

George Russell followed in fourth after his Montreal podium, with Perez in fifth and Oscar Piastri’s McLaren in sixth. Lewis Hamilton was seventh, ahead of Esteban Ocon in eighth, Alonso in ninth, and Alex Albon in tenth.

Leclerc finished in eleventh, while Valtteri Bottas settled for P12. Alpine's Pierre Gasly, Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, and Daniel Ricciardo, running a significant upgrade, followed.

Kick Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu, Kevin Magnussen, Williams' Logan Sargeant, Bearman, and RB's Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the field.

Teams now debrief before second practice at 1700 local time.

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