Norris shines in FP1 as McLaren confounds expectations in Spanish GP

Dominika Jordan
May 30, 2025, 08:56 AM ET

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Lando Norris Leads FP1 as Spanish Grand Prix Weekend Begins

The Spanish Grand Prix weekend kicked off in thrilling fashion with Lando Norris leading the pack during Friday’s first practice session (FP1) in Barcelona, showcasing McLaren’s dominance despite the debut of new FIA regulations governing front wing flexibility.

In what many expected to be a potential setback for McLaren, the team proved unfazed by the changes. Fresh off their victory in Monaco, McLaren silenced skeptics, with Norris registering the fastest lap of the session—a blazing 1:13.718. His time was three-tenths of a second quicker than reigning champion Max Verstappen, whose Red Bull team is chasing McLaren in the constructors’ standings. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, driving a Ferrari-powered car this weekend, rounded out the top three in FP1.

Quiet Start for Oscar Piastri

Norris’ teammate, Oscar Piastri, who currently holds a three-point advantage over Norris in the drivers' standings, had a quieter session, finishing fifth and over half a second behind his teammate. Piastri’s performance raised some eyebrows given his form this season, but with two practice sessions yet to come, the Australian will be looking to bridge the gap before qualifying.

Impact of New Regulations

The new flexible wing regulations, which aim to reduce aerodynamic advantages derived from excessively pliable components, were a key talking point heading into the weekend. Many analysts predicted McLaren might struggle under the stricter rules, yet their strong FP1 showing suggests the team has adapted quickly.

McLaren’s Momentum in 2023

With eight races completed this season and six victories already under their belt, McLaren has firmly established itself as the team to beat. However, Verstappen and Red Bull will undoubtedly aim to strike back as they bid to close the championship gap.

All Eyes on FP2 and Qualifying

As Norris and McLaren set the tone early, attention now turns to FP2 and Saturday’s qualifying session, where the fight for pole position promises to be another chapter in what’s shaping up to be a gripping season.