Norris Outpaces Verstappen, Sainz in Spain FP1

Lando Norris takes the lead in Spain’s FP1, outstripping rivals Verstappen and Sainz as four teams dominate the top positions.

The Spanish Grand Prix kicked off with Free Practice 1 on a dry track. Drivers returned to the Barcelona circuit, which often helps establish a more precise hierarchy for the rest of the season. However, with the small gaps this season, this may be less the case this year.

Red Bull has introduced a significant upgrade package, featuring new sidepods, a revised engine cover, a new beam wing, and rear wing endplate strakes. Aston Martin has brought new front and rear brake ducts and a new front suspension.

Ferrari also unveiled numerous updates with a new rear wing, slightly revised engine cover and sidepods, a new floor, a new diffuser, and an aerodynamically redesigned Halo.

RB F1 has introduced new front brake ducts, a redesigned engine cover, new sidepod air intakes, and a new rear wing, including a new beam wing. Stake F1 has brought a rear wing and front brake ducts, and Haas has redesigned its rear impact structure to improve downforce.

Notably, in this first session, Ollie Bearman replaced Nico Hülkenberg at Haas F1, as part of the British driver’s intensive test program with the American team.

Drivers improved their lap times in the opening minutes, and Max Verstappen set the first lasting benchmark of the session, leading George Russell by 0.139 seconds. Close behind were Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari, the other Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris’s McLaren, though more than a second slower.

Charles Leclerc had a challenging start to the session, complaining of an “atrocious” car, particularly regarding bouncing. He improved to move up to fifth place but nearly went off the track violently, as did Lando Norris.

Until then, the times had been set on hard tires, and drivers switched to mediums mid-session. Russell improved to 1’14″753, immediately beaten by Sainz with 1’14″572. Hamilton was faster in the first sector but slightly off in the second.

The session was briefly interrupted after Fernando Alonso lost debris, which marshals had to retrieve from the racing line. With just under 20 minutes remaining, the session resumed.

Sergio Pérez moved into second place on soft tires, with Hamilton placing fourth. Verstappen was also on softs and improved to 1’14″252. Norris went faster a few minutes later, clocking 1’14″228.

Pierre Gasly complained of a very difficult car to drive, while Verstappen explained that the anti-stall activated when he downshifted. Ultimately, the times remained unchanged, and Norris finished on top.

He led Verstappen, Sainz, Russell, and Pérez, while Esteban Ocon finished in the top 10, along with Alex Albon. Gasly was 13th, and Bearman finished 19th, two-tenths behind Magnussen.

2024 F1 Spanish Grand Prix – Free Practice Results (1)

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