Spanish Grand Prix Today: Lewis Hamilton hits back as lando Norris dom…read more
Spanish Grand Prix Today: Lewis Hamilton hits back as lando Norris dom…read more
Lewis Hamilton delivered an impressive performance during the first practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix, bouncing back after a challenging start to the 2024 Formula 1 season. The seven-time world champion showed strong pace at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, finishing third overall and leading his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton’s effort marks a notable improvement after Leclerc had previously secured Ferrari’s best result of the season with a second-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix.
It was fellow Briton Lando Norris, however, who stole the spotlight in FP1. The McLaren driver topped the timesheets with a lap time of 1:13.718, outpacing reigning world champion Max Verstappen by 0.367 seconds. Norris, who has been steadily improving throughout the season, set a strong tone for the weekend, demonstrating McLaren’s competitiveness on the Spanish circuit.
Verstappen, fresh off a dominant win in Monaco, couldn’t match Norris’ pace in the opening session and settled for second place. Meanwhile, Ferrari looked strong, with Hamilton and Leclerc finishing third and fourth respectively. The Scuderia will be encouraged by their drivers’ performance, especially after Leclerc’s podium finish at his home race in Monaco. Hamilton’s third-place result also signals that he is finding more confidence in the Ferrari car as the season progresses.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri, also of McLaren, rounded out the top five, trailing Norris by just over half a second. Piastri’s consistency has been a key factor in his rise to the top of the standings, and McLaren’s double top-five showing suggests the team is in a strong position for the rest of the weekend.
Young talents also made headlines in FP1, with two rookie driver swaps taking place. Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa replaced Esteban Ocon in the Haas, while Formula 2 standout Victor Martins stepped in for Alex Albon at Williams. Although neither rookie finished near the front, the experience gained in such a competitive field will be invaluable.
The Racing Bulls team also had a strong showing, with Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar finishing sixth and eighth, respectively. Haas’s Ollie Bearman slotted into seventh, continuing to impress with his performances this season. Yuki Tsunoda, driving for Red Bull, took ninth place, while Pierre Gasly completed the top ten for Alpine.
Aston Martin had a frustrating session, especially for home favorite Fernando Alonso, who was forced to retire from FP1 in the final minutes due to a technical issue. Alonso could only manage the 12th fastest time, just ahead of teammate Lance Stroll. Mercedes’ George Russell was 11th, while rookie Kimi Antonelli placed 18th in the other Mercedes car.
Carlos Sainz, surprisingly driving for Williams this season, ended up 15th, with Gabriel Bortoleto in 16th for Kick Sauber. His teammate Nico Hulkenberg was 14th. The session concluded with Victor Martins and Franco Colapinto—both rookie substitutes—bringing up the rear.
As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on whether Norris can convert his early pace into a pole position or race win, and whether Hamilton’s resurgence can continue in Spain.
