Australian McLaren driver Oscar Piastri led the third free practice session of the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with a time of 1m12s387. The session, the final one before qualifying, saw Piastri outpace his teammate Lando Norris by half a second, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the top 3. Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, driving for Sauber, finished 11th, standing out by outperforming his teammate Nico Hulkenberg. The session, marked by stable weather conditions, was critical for final adjustments before the grid-defining qualifying at 11 a.m. McLaren reinforced its favoritism, while teams like Ferrari and Mercedes faced technical challenges. The event, the ninth round of the World Championship, concludes the season’s second triple-header.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, hosting the Spanish GP for the last time before its replacement by the Madrid Circuit in 2026, welcomed drivers under clear skies and high temperatures. The 60-minute session was less intense than previous ones, with teams focusing on tire preservation for qualifying and Sunday’s race. Bortoleto, a rookie in the category, showed progress, particularly after switching to soft tires late in the session.
McLaren, dominant in prior practice sessions, solidified its position with Piastri and Norris’ one-two finish. Ferrari, despite Leclerc’s competitiveness, saw Hamilton report mechanical issues, while Red Bull, led by Max Verstappen, finished fifth, indicating struggles against McLaren’s pace.
- FP3 Highlights:
- Piastri led with 1m12s387, the only driver under 1m13s.
- Bortoleto outperformed Hulkenberg, securing 11th place.
- Leclerc was the best non-McLaren driver, 0.734s behind Piastri.
OSCAR PIASTRI IS ON POLE POSITION! 🥇👏
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 31, 2025
The McLaren driver leads a 1-2 for the team ahead of Verstappen and Russell!#F1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/3uBGHv5SPM
McLaren’s performance strengthens favoritism
McLaren arrived at the Spanish GP as one of the season’s strongest teams, leading the drivers’ championship with Piastri (161 points) and Norris (158 points). In the third free practice, the British team demonstrated consistency by securing the top two spots. Piastri, who had led Friday’s second practice, set the weekend’s fastest time so far, beating Norris by 0.526s. McLaren’s advantage was clear in the circuit’s high-speed sectors, where soft tires delivered quick laps.
Norris, who topped the first free practice, maintained a competitive pace but couldn’t match Piastri’s lap. The one-two finish in FP3 boosted the team’s confidence for qualifying, especially after Norris’ victory in Monaco, the previous round. The new technical directive on flexible wings, implemented for this race, did not appear to impact McLaren’s performance, as they adapted well to the changes.
Bortoleto impresses with 11th place
Brazilian Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto delivered a notable performance in the third free practice. Starting the session on medium tires, he lingered in the lower ranks but improved significantly after switching to soft tires in the final third. With a lap that briefly placed him in the top 10, Bortoleto finished 11th, just 0.5s slower than Piastri in the straights.
The result was significant, as Bortoleto outperformed his teammate Nico Hulkenberg, who finished 12th. Sauber, which introduced car upgrades in Barcelona, saw the Brazilian make better use of the technical package, particularly in the straights, where he recorded one of the highest top speeds (329 km/h). Bortoleto’s FP3 performance indicates his adaptation to Formula 1, following a competitive Formula 2 season.
Ferrari faces technical challenges
Ferrari, which performed strongly in Friday’s free practice sessions, encountered setbacks in FP3. Charles Leclerc, third fastest, was the only Ferrari driver in the top 10, with a time of 1m13s130. Lewis Hamilton, third in the first practice, dropped to ninth, 1.140s behind Piastri. The seven-time champion reported issues with gear downshifts in his car, a problem Ferrari promised to investigate before qualifying.
The Italian team, aiming to close the gap to McLaren in the championship, showed competitiveness in the circuit’s technical sectors but lost ground in the straights. Leclerc, third in the championship with 79 points, was Ferrari’s standout, while Hamilton struggled to find his ideal pace.
- Ferrari’s FP3 Challenges:
- Leclerc trailed Piastri by 0.734s.
- Hamilton reported gear downshift issues.
- Team focused on adjustments for qualifying.
Red Bull seeks recovery
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, finished the third free practice in fifth place with a time of 1m13s375. The Dutchman, third in the championship with 136 points, couldn’t keep up with McLaren’s pace, trailing Piastri by nearly a second. Red Bull, which dominated the previous season, struggled to maximize its car’s performance on the Catalan circuit.
Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen’s teammate, had a subdued performance, finishing outside the top 10. The team, which brought aerodynamic upgrades to Barcelona, has yet to find the ideal setup. Verstappen, who won the Spanish GP in 2024, expressed pessimism about his chances against McLaren but remains a favorite for the race.
Mercedes shows potential with Russell
George Russell, driving for Mercedes, was a standout in FP3, finishing fourth with a competitive time. The Briton briefly led the session on soft tires, showcasing the potential of Mercedes’ car in Barcelona. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Russell’s teammate, finished seventh, reinforcing the team’s consistency.
Mercedes, fourth in the constructors’ championship, introduced upgrades for the Spanish GP, focusing on stability in high-speed corners. Russell, with 99 points in the championship, was the fastest among non-McLaren or Ferrari drivers, signaling a possible fight for top-5 positions in qualifying.
- Mercedes’ Strengths:
- Russell led the session briefly.
- Antonelli finished in the top 10, in seventh.
- Aerodynamic upgrades improved performance.
Racing Bulls and other highlights
Racing Bulls delivered a solid performance in FP3, with Isack Hadjar in sixth and Liam Lawson in tenth. Hadjar, a rookie in the category, surprised by posting a competitive time, finishing ahead of experienced drivers like Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. Lawson, closing the top 10, also showed consistency, helping the team position well for qualifying.
Other drivers, such as Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Oliver Bearman (Haas), appeared in the top 10 but couldn’t challenge the leaders. Alonso, racing at home, finished eighth, while Bearman, in seventh, stood out among mid-grid teams.
Track conditions and strategies
The 4.6-km, 16-turn Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya presented ideal conditions in FP3, with track temperatures around 35°C and no rain forecast. Teams prioritized soft-tire laps to simulate qualifying, while some, like Sauber, tested race setups with medium tires.
Tire preservation was a clear strategy, with drivers completing few laps to save compounds for qualifying and Sunday’s race. The only disruption came from a minor off-track moment by Lawson, which scattered gravel on the track, but no major incidents occurred.
- FP3 Track Factors:
- Track temperature: 35°C, favoring soft tires.
- Few laps due to tire preservation.
- Circuit demanded balance between speed and stability.
Qualifying expectations
The Spanish GP qualifying, scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, promises a tight battle among McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull. McLaren, dominant in free practice, is the favorite for pole position, but Leclerc and Verstappen could still surprise. Bortoleto, after his 11th place in FP3, has a chance to advance to Q2, depending on Sauber’s performance.
Teams will also tweak setups based on FP3 data. Ferrari, for instance, will address Hamilton’s issues, while Red Bull aims to improve Verstappen’s pace. Mercedes, with Russell in strong form, could be a dark horse in the grid fight.
Barcelona circuit history
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has hosted the Spanish GP since 1991, when Nigel Mansell won for Williams. Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are the race’s most successful drivers, with six wins each. The track, known for its mix of high- and low-speed corners, challenges drivers and teams, requiring a well-balanced car.
In 2025, the event marks the circuit’s farewell as the Spanish GP host, with the race moving to the Madrid Circuit in 2026. The change reflects Formula 1’s push to refresh its calendar, but the Catalan track leaves a legacy of memorable races.
- Circuit Facts:
- Most poles: Michael Schumacher (7).
- 2024 pole: Lando Norris.
- 2024 race winner: Max Verstappen.
Broadcast and coverage
The Spanish GP enjoys extensive coverage in Brazilian media. Qualifying will be broadcast by BandSports, while the race, on Sunday at 10 a.m., will air on Band (free-to-air) and BandSports (cable). Websites like ge.globo.com, F1Mania.net, and Motorsport.com provide real-time updates on all sessions, including lap times and incidents.
Formula 1’s F1 TV streaming platform offers practice, qualifying, and race coverage, including onboard cameras and technical analysis. The detailed coverage reflects growing interest in motorsport in Brazil, especially with Bortoleto’s presence in the category.
