McLaren strong in Barcelona: Norris sets Formula 1 fastest time

Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris set the fastest time on the first day of practice in Spain.

June 12, 2026

From: dpa

The sixth-placed driver in this season's World Championship set the fastest lap in his McLaren with a time of 1:15,426. George Russell in his Mercedes finished a mere second (0,009 seconds behind) at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri (+0,057 seconds) rounded off a successful second practice session for McLaren.

World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished fifth in the second Mercedes. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was sixth in the Red Bull, right behind him. Audi driver Nico Hülkenberg finished the one-hour session in eleventh place. Lewis Hamilton was only ninth in the Ferrari.

Lawson remains lying down

Only a virtual safety car period interrupted the second practice session. "My engine stalled," radioed Liam Lawson as he had to park his Racing Bull at the exit of the pit lane. He was taken to the paddock on a scooter, and the session was quickly restarted.

Antonelli and Hamilton both opted out of the first session. Instead, the teams gave a total of seven young drivers a chance to drive. According to regulations, each regular driver must give way to a less experienced driver in two practice sessions per season. However, the fastest time in the first session was set by Antonelli's teammate Russell (1:16,363 minutes), an established and skilled driver.

Keywords Motorsport Formula 1 Barcelona