Lewis Hamilton on top after Spanish GP practice as Red Bull talent grab rocks Mercedes
It was another dominant display from Mercedes in Barcelona on Friday. Lewis Hamilton has won every race at the Circuit de Catalunya since 2017 and, after a day in which he and team-mate Valtteri Bottas traded places at the top of the timesheets in first and second practice, few would bet against the seven-time world champion making it five Spanish Grand Prix victories on the trot on Sunday.
It was a timely show of strength, too. Mercedes may remain the pre-eminent team in Formula One but for how much longer? The big technical regulation changes coming in next year will give their rivals the opportunity to close the gap but Red Bull are not hanging around.
Already applying extreme pressure on the track with their most competitive car in years, the announcement this week that the Milton Keynes-based team had nabbed another five Mercedes engineers for their new in-house Formula One engine facility felt like a power move.
The talent grab followed the appointment last month of Mercedes engineer Ben Hodgkinson as technical director of the project and raised further questions about Red Bull’s intentions and the shifting balance of power in the sport.
Just what is Red Bull’s game and how significant is this brain drain from Brixworth to Milton Keynes? Potentially hugely, is the answer.
The reason Red Bull are doing this is primarily to address the immediate problem of Honda, their engine supplier, quitting the sport next year. By setting up their own power-train operation, Red Bull can service the existing engine, which they are taking over from Honda, and keep it going through to 2025 when the new engine regulations come in.
What happens after that is the big question. There have long been rumours that Porsche or Volkswagen may enter the sport and Red Bull could team up with them.
But the increasingly ambitious nature of their project suggests rather that they might try to go it alone and design their own power-units lock stock, effectively going head to head with Ferrari and Mercedes as full-on manufacturers.
Not only would that give Adrian Newey even more control of the design process, but it would also allow Red Bull to circumvent the budget cap that has just been introduced since engine development falls outside the cap.
It is an intriguing moment in Formula One, and one that has paddock observers energised. The consensus appears to be that it is good news, not only in terms of shaking up the established order but for UK Motorsport Plc. Red Bull could have chosen to base their engine facility in Austria. They already have a relationship there with power-train specialists AVL.
But they chose to base it in Milton Keynes, just down the road from Brixworth and not far from Cosworth, and they are likely to need at least 250-300 people to staff it.
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, shrugged off the loss of his staff, insisting he “enjoyed” the competition and denying that he held it against Christian Horner, his opposite number, a man with whom he enjoys a famously tense relationship.
“We have 900 or so employees [at Brixworth] and if we are fishing out 15 of these or so, that’s pretty normal,” he said genially. Sources suggest that privately, though, Wolff will be fuming, and deeply unimpressed with those who have decided to throw in their lot with Red Bull.
Could it hurt them competitively? “I don’t think so,” was the verdict of one source close to the team. “It will take time for Red Bull to build up their facility. Recruiting so aggressively will help to flatten the curve but it’s still a big learning curve. What it is, though, is an absolutely fascinating move, and shows huge commitment from Red Bull.”
Spanish Grand Prix, second practice classification
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 1:18.170
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes +0.139
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +0.165
Esteban Ocon, Alpine +0.296
Fernando Alonso, Alpine +0.348
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri +0.423
Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri +0.449
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +0.504
Max Verstappen, Red Bull +0.615
Sergio Pérez, Red Bull +0.748
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin +0.777
Lando Norris, McLaren +0.922
Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo +0.952
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +0.964
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren +1.025
Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo +1.043
George Russell, Williams +1.787
Nicholas Latifi, Williams +1.876
Mick Schumacher, Haas +2.156
Nikita Mazepin, Haas +2.583
02:25 PMThat's it from me today
That's it from me today
My colleague Uche Amako will be taking you through qualifying and the race on Saturday and Sunday. Thanks for joining me today and enjoy the rest of your evenings.
02:22 PMVerstappen says Red Bull had a good day
Verstappen says Red Bull had a good day
Not 100 per cent sure about that myself, but they at least know where they are and they know more than us. Doesn't have to have been a disaster and may well have been the case that they didn't string it together. Okay, it is only Friday but not stringing it together has been a bit of a problem for them.
02:16 PMToto Wolff, speaking to Sky Sports F1
Toto Wolff, speaking to Sky Sports F1
Says it's Mercedes' best Friday of the year so far. Hard to disagree with him.
02:06 PMWell, either Red Bull are holding something back...
Well, either Red Bull are holding something back...
....or it was a scruffy session, or they are in trouble. I can't think the latter just yet, so it could be a combination of the first two.
02:03 PMFP2 - Classification and times
- HAM 1:18.170
- BOT +0.139
- LEC +0.165
- OCO +0.296
- ALO +0.348
- GAS +0.423
- TSU +0.449
- SAI +0.504
- VER +0.615
- PER +0.748
- VET +0.777
- NOR +0.922
- GIO +0.952
- STR +0.964
- RIC +1.025
- RAI +1.043
- RUS +1.787
- LAT +1.876
- MSC +2.156
- MAZ +2.583
02:02 PMFP2 - Verstappen has damaged his front wing
FP2 - Classification and times
- HAM 1:18.170
- BOT +0.139
- LEC +0.165
- OCO +0.296
- ALO +0.348
- GAS +0.423
- TSU +0.449
- SAI +0.504
- VER +0.615
- PER +0.748
- VET +0.777
- NOR +0.922
- GIO +0.952
- STR +0.964
- RIC +1.025
- RAI +1.043
- RUS +1.787
- LAT +1.876
- MSC +2.156
- MAZ +2.583
02:02 PMFP2 - Verstappen has damaged his front wing
FP2 - Verstappen has damaged his front wing
The right endplate is hanging loose... or part of it is. Something similar happened in first first practice.
02:02 PMFP2 - CHEQUERED FLAG
FP2 - CHEQUERED FLAG
Hamilton leads Bottas and then Charles Leclerc. A few drivers finishing their laps.
"Must remember this lap," Hamilton says. Not sure what he means by that. He's eight laps into a set on the mediums.
02:00 PMFP2 - Two minutes remain
FP2 - Two minutes remain
Verstappen has a pit stop but is released into the path of his team-mate at the pit exit. He does not yield.
All aboard! 🚂#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/ugeNROkWDa
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2021
01:56 PMFP2 - Five minutes to go
FP2 - Five minutes to go
The long runs ongoing, so no change in the order, as is usally the case. Pérez is told his pace is good, that Mercedes' pace stabilised on 1:23.3 and Pérez's last lap was a 1:23.415. He follows that up with a 1:23.441. Consistent.
Verstappen was a couple of tenths quicker the last time around, though. Red Bull on the softs now, Mercedes on the mediums.
01:53 PMFP2 - Incidentally, it is Leclerc who has the fastest time in the final sector
FP2 - Incidentally, it is Leclerc who has the fastest time in the final sector
A twisty one. Hamilton in sector one and Bottas in sector two. McLaren looking behind their rivals at the moment – 12th and 15th – but their improvement from Friday to Saturday has been immense this season. Wouldn't expect them to be down there this time tomorrow.
01:52 PMFP2 - What of Pérez here?
FP2 - What of Pérez here?
He has generally been a slow starter to weekends this season, whilst eventually getting it together on Saturday. He will know more but you hope for his sake that it is the case here.
01:48 PMFP2 - Verstappen running wide at turn eight
FP2 - Verstappen running wide at turn eight
Putting a fair amount of car onto the grass. Bottas comes in for a change of tyres on this "race" run.
12 minutes remain.
01:45 PMFP2 - This was the moment Verstappen got a bit wide on his hot lap...
FP2 - This was the moment Verstappen got a bit wide on his hot lap...
... and had to back off.
That gravel trap is H U G E 🔭😮#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/WG6E2S4iHS
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2021
The reprofiling of turn 10 has meant the gravel trap does come into play. It caught our Robert Kubica in first practice and did the same to Verstappen here, though in less dramatic fashion.
01:44 PMFP2 - Well, the order is unlikely to change now
FP2 - Well, the order is unlikely to change now
Though Sainz, Tsunoda, Latifi and Leclerc are back out on soft tyres. Not sure they are going for it, though. Probably just a high fuel run on them. Certainly looks like it judging by the lap times, anyway.
Verstappen is, too, but again I would be surprised if he gave it beans.
01:40 PMFP2 - Order and gaps with 20 minutes to go
- HAM 1:18.170
- BOT +0.139
- LEC +0.165
- OCO +0.296
- ALO +0.348
- GAS +0.423
- TSU +0.449
- SAI +0.504
- VER +0.615
- PER +0.748
- VET +0.777
- NOR +0.922
- GIO +0.952
- STR +0.964
- RIC +1.025
- RAI +1.043
- RUS +1.787
- LAT +1.876
- MSC +2.156
- MAZ +2.583
FP2 - Order and gaps with 20 minutes to go
- HAM 1:18.170
- BOT +0.139
- LEC +0.165
- OCO +0.296
- ALO +0.348
- GAS +0.423
- TSU +0.449
- SAI +0.504
- VER +0.615
- PER +0.748
- VET +0.777
- NOR +0.922
- GIO +0.952
- STR +0.964
- RIC +1.025
- RAI +1.043
- RUS +1.787
- LAT +1.876
- MSC +2.156
- MAZ +2.583
So... 16 cars within a second or so and Red Bull six and seven tenths off respectively. Something is not quite right here. Engines turned down or heavier fuel? Possibly for Pérez but Verstappen did make
01:36 PMFP2 - This is NOT a quick lap from Pérez
FP2 - This is NOT a quick lap from Pérez
Losing a lot of time in the first sector but has pulled it back a bit. Ends up seven tenths off and in 10th... hmmmm.
Will Verstappen do another run, though? He's back in the pits now. He aborted his earlier lap but did he make another mistake?
Full timing update upcoming, then.
01:34 PMFP2 - Hamilton quickest ahead of Bottas
FP2 - Hamilton quickest ahead of Bottas
Here's the order, with Verstappen and Pérez likely to do another quick lap quite soon. Pérez has just left the pits.
HAM
BOT
LEC
OCO
ALO
GAS
TSU
SAI
VER
VET
NOR
GIO
STR
RIC
RAI
PER
RUS
LAT
MSC
MAZ
01:31 PMFP2 - Verstappen will go again on the softs, surely
FP2 - Verstappen will go again on the softs, surely
And Pérez has yet to do a lap on the soft compound tyres, either. We wait to see what they do, which should be imminent. That said, Pérez is still in the pits and has done the fewest laps of anyone.
01:29 PMFP2 - Some interesting times here
FP2 - Some interesting times here
Ocon and Alonso fourth and fifth, within 0.4s of Hamilton. Gasly seventh, too 0.6s off. Completely disregard what I said about the midfield, then...
Verstappen probably going into the top four now on this lap. Runs wide towards the end of the lap and backs off. Possibly a track limits issue, again. Dipped a right tyre just into the gravel trap.
01:27 PMFP2 - What did I say about the midfield?
FP2 - What did I say about the midfield?
Think I have just been proven wrong. Leclerc has just posted a time good enough for third, 0.165s off the pace of Bottas. Ferrari's first proper run on the soft tyres and that's fairly encouraging. Sainz is fifth, half a second off Bottas.
Leclerc hooks up a great lap 💪
The @ScuderiaFerrari man goes P3 behind the two Mercedes#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/CykoOVyYNx— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2021
Verstappen just starting his first qualifying simulation.
01:25 PMFP2 - Norris displaces Stroll
FP2 - Norris displaces Stroll
And is in fifth himself, also two tenths behind Vettel. Decent lap, then, from the four-time champion.
01:23 PMFP2 - Stroll goes fifth
FP2 - Stroll goes fifth
Just behind team-mate Vettel. Two-tenths in it now. Aston Martin looking a lot more racy here. It does look like the gaps between Red Bull and Mercedes and the rest of the field are a fair bit larger than at the first three races. Still a way to go.
01:22 PMFP2 - Time for the qualifying simulations
FP2 - Time for the qualifying simulations
Both Mercedes out there on soft tyres.
Bottas improves his time go quicker still, but then Hamilton finds even more time to go quickest by 0.139s.
01:21 PMFP2 - Top 10 and gaps
- BOT
- HAM +0.042
- VER +0.366
- ALO +0.878
- GAS +0.987
- OCO + 1.019
- PER +1.132
- LEC +1.353
- TSU +1.422
- NOR +1.487
01:20 PMFP2 - Tsunoda has an issue
FP2 - Top 10 and gaps
- BOT
- HAM +0.042
- VER +0.366
- ALO +0.878
- GAS +0.987
- OCO + 1.019
- PER +1.132
- LEC +1.353
- TSU +1.422
- NOR +1.487
01:20 PMFP2 - Tsunoda has an issue
FP2 - Tsunoda has an issue
Rides rough over the kerbs at turn nine and the car slows down... "The car switched off," he said, but they seem to have got it going again.
01:15 PMFP2 - Verstappen improves his best lap
FP2 - Verstappen improves his best lap
Though not his position. 0.366s off Bottas, though with the fastest final sector of anyone. The Alpines up there at this early stage again. Alonso in fourth and Ocon in fifth.
01:13 PMFP2 - Sainz loses a bit of bodywork
FP2 - Sainz loses a bit of bodywork
Ran quite wide over the exit of turn nine, I think. It's on the racing line so they bring out the Virtual Safety Car. This should not cost us too much time.
⚠️ Virtual Safety Car ⚠️
There's some debris on track 👀#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/l8Vm7xkt91— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2021
In the meantime Hamilton moved to second, just 0.042s slower than team-mate Bottas.
Aaand we're under way again. Green flags.
01:11 PMFP2 - Bottas moves quickest again
FP2 - Bottas moves quickest again
A whole six tenths up on Verstappen. Here's the order so far after just over 10 minutes.
BOT
VER
HAM
ALO
OCO
GAS
LEC
PER
TSU
NOR
GIO
STR
SAI
RIC
VET
LAT
RAI
RUS
MSC
MAZ
01:09 PMFP2 - Verstappen goes quickest
FP2 - Verstappen goes quickest
Quckest of anyone in sectors one and two but then loses some time relative to the Mercedes in the final sector. 0.046 quicker than Bottas, though. Also on the medium tyres.
01:07 PMFP2 - Hamilton moves into second
FP2 - Hamilton moves into second
He loses a bit of time in sector two but is thereabouts with his team-mate. His final sector is not too great – he was following Tsunoda – and ends up second, 0.236s down from Bottas.
Verstappen on a flyer, though...
01:06 PMFP2 - What was notable in the first session
FP2 - What was notable in the first session
Was that Ferrari did their quick runs on medium tyres. They were about half a second down on the leaders, so that isn't too bad all things considered. Hamilton has done a lap, but he has about to do a proper one now.
He's 0.011s up on Bottas's time overall after one sector...
01:04 PMFP2 - 57 mins to go
FP2 - 57 mins to go
Everyone out aside from Latifi, Alonso and Verstappen. A few instances of traffic being a problem between cars on hot laps and cars lining up their hot laps or on in laps. Could be a problem in this session and, crucially, in Q3 as well.
Bottas leads the runners early on with a 1:19.087 on the medium tyres.
01:00 PMGREEN LIGHT: FP2 begins
GREEN LIGHT: FP2 begins
Wind has picked up a little since the morning though still at a relatively calm 11.1km/h.
Blue skies above ⛅️#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/311RK6LqF3
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2021
12:57 PMFP2 about to begin
FP2 about to begin
Should perhaps be a bit more instructive but it has been so close that you can never really tell. Still, you do get a generally decent idea of how things stand between the teams and drivers after Friday.
12:47 PMA full run down of times from first practice
A full run down of times from first practice
We are having a few difficulties on the technical side of things, so apologies if any coverage is delayed.
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 1:18.504
Max Verstappen, Red Bull +0.033
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes +0.123
Lando Norris, McLaren +0.440
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +0.492
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari+0.516
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri +0.558
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin +0.730
Sergio Pérez, Red Bull +0.845
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +0.925
Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri +1.165
Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo +1.190
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren +1.228
Fernando Alonso, Alpine +1.446
Esteban Ocon, Alpine +1.452
Nicholas Latifi, Williams +1.766
Roy Nissany, Williams +2.196
Mick Schumacher, Haas +2.262
Robert Kubica, Alfa Romeo +3.383
Nikita Mazepin, Haas +3.472
12:37 PMHello again, second practice starts at 2pm BST
Hello again, second practice starts at 2pm BST
I am getting used to these new one-hour sessions. They are pretty frantic and occasionally difficult to follow what is going on at every single moment. But they are, on the whole, an improvement from the 90-minute ones where very little would happen for half an hour.
10:55 AMThat wraps up our live coverage for this session
That wraps up our live coverage for this session
We'll be back about 1.30 before second practice begins at 2pm.
10:44 AMHere's the moment Bottas nearly crashed into Sainz
Here's the moment Bottas nearly crashed into Sainz
A close one.
10:36 AMFP1 - Classification
- BOT 1:18.504
- VER +0.033
- HAM +0.123
- NOR +0.440
- LEC +0.492
- SAI +0.516
- GAS +0.558
- VET +0.730
- PER +0.845
- STR +0.925
- TSU +1.165
- GIO +1.190
- RIC +1.228
- ALO +1.446
- OCO +1.452
- LAT +1.766
- NIS +2.196
- MSC +2.262
- KUB +3.383
- MAZ +3.472
10:31 AMFP1 - CHEQUERED FLAG
FP1 - Classification
- BOT 1:18.504
- VER +0.033
- HAM +0.123
- NOR +0.440
- LEC +0.492
- SAI +0.516
- GAS +0.558
- VET +0.730
- PER +0.845
- STR +0.925
- TSU +1.165
- GIO +1.190
- RIC +1.228
- ALO +1.446
- OCO +1.452
- LAT +1.766
- NIS +2.196
- MSC +2.262
- KUB +3.383
- MAZ +3.472
10:31 AMFP1 - CHEQUERED FLAG
FP1 - CHEQUERED FLAG
Valtteri Bottas ends it quickest, ahead of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Full classification upcoming.
10:30 AMFP1 - McLaren trying out a new front wing in this session
FP1 - McLaren trying out a new front wing in this session
As shown by the huge amounts of flow-viz paint on Norris's front end. Pérez going again and is improving but not my an awful lot and he has a McLaren right in front of him and has to back out...
10:29 AMFP1 - Two minutes left
FP1 - Two minutes left
Bottas nearly rear-ends a Ferrari in the final sector... has to slam the brakes on and go off the circuit to avoid a collision...
10:28 AMFP1 - Verstappen's Red Bull looks glued
FP1 - Verstappen's Red Bull looks glued
Just 0.030s off Bottas after two sectors, but gets a bit loose on the exit of turn 10. Probably will end up a couple of tenths down. Nope. Just 0.033s off in the end and enough to split the Mercedes and go second... reckon there's at least another few tenths in there. At least.
10:27 AMFP1 - Sainz goes fourth and Leclerc fifth
FP1 - Sainz goes fourth and Leclerc fifth
Both Ferraris just over half a second off Bottas's time. They were on the mediums rather than the softs, though. Verstappen going for another run.
10:26 AMFP1 - Pérez not exactly setting the timing screens alight
FP1 - Pérez not exactly setting the timing screens alight
In his first run on the softs he is 0.4s off Bottas's time after one sector and 0.633s after two. Will probably get another go where he goes quicker, however. He ends up sixth on this lap, 0.845s off the quickest time.
Verstappen starting his hot lap but has a bit of traffic as he approaches turn nine, which is not ideal. He backs out...
10:21 AMFP1 - SESSION RESUMES
FP1 - SESSION RESUMES
10 minutes left. Pérez goes out on a set of softs.
10:19 AMFP1 - RED FLAG: Kubica's Alfa Romeo is hoisted up onto a JCB
FP1 - RED FLAG: Kubica's Alfa Romeo is hoisted up onto a JCB
Or at least a JCB-type machine, and is wheeled away. Should have eight or nine minutes once the session resumes. We are yet to see what Ferrari, Ocon and Red Bull can do on the soft compound tyres.
10:16 AMFP1 - RED FLAG
FP1 - RED FLAG
Robert Kubica is in the gravel at turn 10... that will be the end of his session. A little embarrassing.
🚩 RED FLAG 🚩
Kubica beaches himself in the gravel at Turn 10 #SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/VVHfd0L1bK— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2021
10:15 AMFP1 - Quick update on times and order
- BOT
- HAM +0.123
- NOR +0.440
- GAS +0.558
- VET +0.730
- STR +0.925
- TSU +1.165
- GIO +1.190
- RIC +1.228
- VER +1.415
- ALO +1.446
- LAT +1.766
- PER +1.916
- SAI +2.034
- NIS +2.196
- MSC +2.262
- LEC +2.288
- OCO +2.737
- KUB +3.383
- MAZ +3.472
10:13 AMFP1 - Bottas now quickest
FP1 - Quick update on times and order
- BOT
- HAM +0.123
- NOR +0.440
- GAS +0.558
- VET +0.730
- STR +0.925
- TSU +1.165
- GIO +1.190
- RIC +1.228
- VER +1.415
- ALO +1.446
- LAT +1.766
- PER +1.916
- SAI +2.034
- NIS +2.196
- MSC +2.262
- LEC +2.288
- OCO +2.737
- KUB +3.383
- MAZ +3.472
10:13 AMFP1 - Bottas now quickest
FP1 - Bottas now quickest
0.123s ahead of team-mate Hamilton. Ricciardo down in 18th at the moment but he has yet to set a representative lap on the soft tyres. Stroll improved on another run to go within 0.2s of team-mate Vettel. Early stages but a bit of improvement from Aston Martin? It is much needed, they have already surrendered a lot of ground – too much, really – to their rivals. Ferrari and McLaren look out of reach whatever happens, but at least AlphaTauri and Alpine haven't scored too heavily so far.
10:10 AMFP1 - 20 mins remain
FP1 - 20 mins remain
The two Red Bulls are yet to set a lap on the soft tyres. Norris looks sharp heading into the final sector. Where does he finish? Third. 0.3s off Hamilton, who had just improved by a couple of tenths.
10:08 AMFP1 - Gasly on a good lap here
FP1 - Gasly on a good lap here
Under a tenth below Hamilton's time after two sectors. He finishes with a 1:19.062 to go third, 0.254s off Hamilton at the very top.
10:07 AMFP1 - Bottas 0.012s up on Hamilton after two sectors
FP1 - Bottas 0.012s up on Hamilton after two sectors
Gets twitchy on approach to turn 11, which will have cost him some time. He is just 0.030s behind Hamilton. The Mercedes does look a little more twitchy this weekend, but still looks quick enough. Stroll's time was a full six-tenths off Vettel's time. Not sure if they are both carrying updates this weekend or just Vettel.
10:04 AMFP1 - Order with 25 mins remaining
- HAM
- VET
- ALO
- VER
- PER
- BOT
- NOR
- GAS
- LEC
- TSU
- SAI
- OCO
- RIC
- LAT
- STR
- GIO
- MSC
- KUB
- NIS
- MAZ
FP1 - Order with 25 mins remaining
- HAM
- VET
- ALO
- VER
- PER
- BOT
- NOR
- GAS
- LEC
- TSU
- SAI
- OCO
- RIC
- LAT
- STR
- GIO
- MSC
- KUB
- NIS
- MAZ
Vettel says he thinks he lost a bit of front wing on the kerbs on the exit of turn seven. Bottas winding up a lap now.
10:04 AMFP1 - Hamilton on the softs, too
FP1 - Hamilton on the softs, too
And will almost certainly go quicket. He's 0.272s up on Vettel after two sectors. I expected a bit more, actually. He ends up with a 1:19.675s to beat Vettel by 0.426s. P1 again.
10:01 AMFP1 - Vettel quickest of all in S1 on his soft tyres
FP1 - Vettel quickest of all in S1 on his soft tyres
Sector two, he's quickest as well. 0.222s up on Hamilton's time. Will be difficult to get these soft tyres to hang on but can they? Yep. Purple in all three sectors and goes 0.441s quicker than Hamilton. Looked a decent lap.
09:59 AMFP1 - 32 minutes remain
FP1 - 32 minutes remain
Pérez circulating, currently in seventh and improving. He is on the hard tyres. Vettel has just left the garage on the soft compound as both Haas cars have. Pérez improves to go fourth, 0.865s off the pace.
09:57 AMFP1 - Ocon improving on his best time
FP1 - Ocon improving on his best time
He goes 14th, but does improve overall. Two seconds or so off the pace. Having a decent season so far, is young Esteban. Not that young any more, in fairness.
09:55 AMFP1 - Alonso continues on the soft tyres
FP1 - Alonso continues on the soft tyres
Tsunoda (18th) has now set a time as has Daniel Ricciardo (13th) and so has Pérez (16th). Looks like Verstappen damaged his front wing running over the kerb at turn eight.
09:50 AMFP1 - Timing and order update with 20 mins gone
- HAM 1:19.675
- ALO +0.275
- VER +0.388
- BOT +1.032
- LEC +1.299
- SAI +1.334
- VET +1.484
- NOR +1.503
- LAT +1.724
- GAS +1.879
- STR +1.932
- GIO +2.097
- RIC +2.995
- NIS +3.296
- MSC +3.605
- OCO +4.248
- MAZ +5.964
- KUB +7.331
- PER (no time)
- TSU (no time)
09:44 AMFP1 - Hamilton takes top spot off Alonso
FP1 - Timing and order update with 20 mins gone
- HAM 1:19.675
- ALO +0.275
- VER +0.388
- BOT +1.032
- LEC +1.299
- SAI +1.334
- VET +1.484
- NOR +1.503
- LAT +1.724
- GAS +1.879
- STR +1.932
- GIO +2.097
- RIC +2.995
- NIS +3.296
- MSC +3.605
- OCO +4.248
- MAZ +5.964
- KUB +7.331
- PER (no time)
- TSU (no time)
09:44 AMFP1 - Hamilton takes top spot off Alonso
FP1 - Hamilton takes top spot off Alonso
With the quickest time in sectors one and two and a half-decent final sector, though not his best. It puts him 0.275s ahead of Alonso. Pérez, Ricciardo and Tsunoda yet to set a time. Ricciardo out on track for the first time.
Vamos @alo_oficial 👊
The hometown hero puts his Alpine in P2 with a 1:19.950 on the soft tyre 💪#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/VjkNga9elv— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2021
09:42 AMFP1 - Leclerc on the radio: "Mazepin will never change"
FP1 - Leclerc on the radio: "Mazepin will never change"
Didn't exactly see what he did but I assume he was dawdling in front of him at some point.
Alonso goes quickest but, as said before, he is on the soft compound tyres – the only man to be on them. Hamilton on for a good lap, but on the hard tyres.
09:41 AMFP1 - Red Bull and Mercedes swapping quickest times
FP1 - Red Bull and Mercedes swapping quickest times
Verstappen nabs it by 0.6s before Hamilton goes just 0.074s slower. Bottas nearly a whole second adrift.
Here's the full order... so far
VER
HAM
BOT
SAI
GAS
NOR
ALO
LEC
VET
GIO
STR
OCO
LAT
MSC
NIS
KUB
MAZ
PER (no time)
RIC (no time)
TSU (no time)
09:38 AMFP1 - Hamilton goes ahead of Bottas to go fastest
FP1 - Hamilton goes ahead of Bottas to go fastest
By 0.375s. Only Alonso has set a lap on the soft tyres, everyone else preferring the hards. Alpine did this with him in Portugal, too, running a contrary practice strategy to everyone else. Not sure why.
09:36 AMFP1 - Bottas quickest at the moment
FP1 - Bottas quickest at the moment
A 1:21.899, leading Lando Norris by 0.848s. For what it's worth at this stage which is not a great deal...
09:35 AMFP1 - Yellow flags, a car in the gravel
FP1 - Yellow flags, a car in the gravel
Who is it? Need you ask? It's Nikita Mazepin on the exit of turn eight. He manages to reverse it and gets it going. A big trend for him this year is his relentless spinning and a few crashes, too. Quite lucky to keep it out of the barriers, there. Looks like he got a bit keen on the loud pedal. Cold tyres etc.
An off for Nikita Mazepin as he ventures into the gravel at Turn 2 ❌
The @HaasF1Team driver is able to get going again #SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/NR1aI2dObO— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2021
09:33 AMFP1 - Plenty of drivers out at the moment
FP1 - Plenty of drivers out at the moment
As we have come to expect with these shorter practice sessions. Just Latifi and Verstappen yet to venture out for an installation lap. No real times set yet, however.
09:32 AMFP1 - 59 minutes to go
FP1 - 59 minutes to go
A couple of driver changes here, Roy Nissany in for George Russell at Williams and Robert Kubica in for Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo.
An hour of FP1 coming your way! 💪 pic.twitter.com/DZNCLUzr3k
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) May 7, 2021
09:30 AMGREEN LIGHT: FP1 begins
GREEN LIGHT: FP1 begins
An hour to go. I am sadly not expecting too much from this session, but you never know...
09:20 AMConditions with 10 minutes to go
Who's ready to get this Friday under way? ☀️#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/zsJOsvFLFy
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2021
09:17 AMValtteri Bottas vs George Russell: Would Mercedes really consider a mid-season swap?
Conditions with 10 minutes to go
Who's ready to get this Friday under way? ☀️#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/zsJOsvFLFy
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2021
09:17 AMValtteri Bottas vs George Russell: Would Mercedes really consider a mid-season swap?
Valtteri Bottas vs George Russell: Would Mercedes really consider a mid-season swap?
Bottas is not having the best – though not the worst, either – start to the season. Here, Tom Cary takes a look at whether Mercedes might switch him with Williams' George Russell before the season is out.
09:04 AMConstructor standings
09:00 AMThe track for this weekend
Constructor standings
09:00 AMThe track for this weekend
The track for this weekend
A bit of an alteration at turn 10. It has been made shallower and will be less of a braking zone. Which means it's another rare overtaking opportunity gone... great. Just great.
08:49 AMCurrent driver standings - Top 12
Current driver standings - Top 12
Hamilton with an eight point lead. Not really worth much at this stage but you'd rather have it than not. Lando Norris well up there as well, has been consistent and quick this year. Ricciardo still coming to terms with his new team.
07:42 AMGood morning F1 fans
Good morning F1 fans
And welcome to our coverage for the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix from the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya in Montmelo.
Three races so in the F1 season so far far and three incredibly tight weekends. So tight, in fact, that is is impossible to say who has the better package overall. On reflection, Red Bull looks to have the quickest machine over one-lap but a few mistakes from their drivers have meant that it's 2-1 to Mercedes when it comes to pole positions. Mercedes' weaknesses seem less pronounced in the race, or that certainly was the case in Portugal last time out. But the harder tyres and slightly unusual conditions – very windy and with a very low-grip track – may have had something to do with it.
In Spain the conditions will be more familiar and "normal". Given the nature of the track (it has a bit of everything, a fairly long straight, long and short high-speed corners, long and short low-speed corners and some elevation changes) and how often the teams test here, we should get a good read on how the teams are really shaping up.
Red Bull will hope that they can edge out an advantage again and that they can take advantage of it, again. They did not do that in Bahrain. Second was a decent return in Portugal for Max Verstappen but you can definitely argue he should have been on pole position. All things considered, Red Bull should edge into this as marginal favourites. But it really is too tight to call and this is a track where Mercedes have bossed it in recent years with Lewis Hamilton winning every event here since 2017. If Red Bull can beat Mercedes, it will be a significant moment.
Down the field Alpine will be hoping to build on a much-improved weekend in Portugal and Aston Martin will want to have their first decent race of the year after a very poor start. McLaren and Ferrari look likely to lead the midfield as they have all season but do not count out AlphaTauri, either.
First practice starts at 10.30am BST with second practice at 2pm. We'll be here for both sessions and all the action.