Oscar Piastri tops FP3 at Spanish Grand Prix ahead of Norris and Leclerc. Get full FP3 results, motorsports analysis from Barcelona-Catalunya.
Introduction
Oscar Piastri turned up the heat in Spain, delivering a spectacular lap to dominate the final practice session (FP3) ahead of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix. As teams fine-tuned their setups under the sunny skies of Barcelona-Catalunya, the McLaren F1 driver sent a loud and clear message to rivals: McLaren is not here to participate—they’re here to dominate. With Lando Norris trailing half a second behind and Charles Leclerc rounding out the top three for Ferrari F1, FP3 laid the foundation for an intense qualifying showdown.
But beyond just the top of the charts, FP3 gave us a glimpse into the heart-pounding world of Qualifying simulations, last-minute adjustments, and on-the-edge driving that defines Formula 1. Let’s unpack everything from the key moments and driver insights to what this means for the rest of the weekend.
Table of Contents
| Sr# | Headings |
|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri Steals the Show in Barcelona |
| 2 | Norris and Leclerc Close Behind – But Not Close Enough |
| 3 | McLaren F1’s Rising Dominance |
| 4 | Cooler Track, Hotter Lap Times |
| 5 | The Early Movers: Colapinto, Bortoleto, and Alonso |
| 6 | Red Bull Racing’s Tsunoda Shows Early Promise |
| 7 | George Russell Flashes Mercedes F1’s One-Lap Pace |
| 8 | Mistakes and Missteps: Lawson and Bearman Find the Gravel |
| 9 | Porpoising Returns to Haunt Norris |
| 10 | Verstappen Struggles to Find Grip |
| 11 | Isack Hadjar Continues to Impress |
| 12 | The Top 10 Shakeup Before Qualifying |
| 13 | What These FP3 Results Mean for Qualifying |
| 14 | Barcelona-Catalunya’s Tricky Corners and Challenges |
| 15 | Final Thoughts: Momentum Builds for McLaren F1 |
1. Oscar Piastri Steals the Show in Barcelona
With a jaw-dropping time of 1m 12.387s, Oscar Piastri didn’t just top the FP3 results—he owned them. The young Australian looked calm, precise, and totally in sync with his McLaren. He didn’t just drive fast; he danced through the corners like he was painting on a canvas—each stroke faster and cleaner than the last.
This wasn’t a fluke. This was the result of a car that’s finally clicking with the driver and a team that’s executing to perfection.
2. Norris and Leclerc Close Behind – But Not Close Enough
Lando Norris, usually Mr. Consistency, had a moment of oversteer that forced him to abort what could’ve been a competitive flying lap. Despite this, he clocked a time good enough for second—but was still more than half a secondbehind his teammate.
Charles Leclerc held his own in third, continuing Ferrari’s recent trend of showing one-lap pace but lacking the final spark to top the timesheets. Leclerc’s Ferrari looked smooth in sectors 1 and 2, but sector 3—where tyre degradation kicks in—was his undoing.
3. McLaren F1’s Rising Dominance
McLaren F1 seems to be firing on all cylinders right now. From FP1 through FP3, they’ve consistently hovered near the top of the timing screens. Piastri and Norris both look confident, and their car appears to be both quick in qualifying simulations and balanced on long runs.
What’s changed? The upgrades introduced earlier this season are now being fully utilized. Their car looks planted, aerodynamic efficiency is up, and both drivers are delivering under pressure.
4. Cooler Track, Hotter Lap Times
The Barcelona-Catalunya circuit welcomed slightly cooler conditions during FP3. But paradoxically, lap times got hotter. Cooler track temps meant better tyre preservation, allowing drivers to push for longer stints without losing grip.
These optimal conditions were a blessing, especially for teams fine-tuning Qualifying simulations. With more representative data, engineers now have a clearer picture of what to expect later in the day.
5. The Early Movers: Colapinto, Bortoleto, and Alonso
Franco Colapinto was the first to brave the track, eager to make up for lost time from FP1, where a hydraulic issue kept him garage-bound. He was soon joined by fellow rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, showing signs of progress and adaptability in his Alpine.
Fernando Alonso, ever the showman, waved to fans during an early out-lap. It was a quiet moment of connection between driver and crowd—a home hero preparing for battle.
6. Red Bull Racing’s Tsunoda Shows Early Promise
Yuki Tsunoda initially lit up the timesheets with a medium-tyre run of 1m 14.851s, briefly topping the chart. But he quickly fell down the order as others bolted on the soft tyres.
Despite that, his early pace shows that Red Bull Racing may still have a rabbit or two in the hat. However, Tsunoda’s own radio messages told another story—he complained of “sliding a lot,” indicating grip issues that could become a bigger concern in qualifying.
7. George Russell Flashes Mercedes F1’s One-Lap Pace
George Russell briefly went top at the halfway point, showcasing Mercedes F1’s potential over a single lap. His 0.473s advantage at the time hinted at how effective the red-walled soft tyres can be around Barcelona.
But Mercedes still lacks consistency. Flashes of speed aside, the team needs to find balance across all three sectors to truly challenge the likes of McLaren and Red Bull.
8. Mistakes and Missteps: Lawson and Bearman Find the Gravel
Liam Lawson, filling in this weekend, was pushing hard but overstepped the track limits—literally. He dipped a tyre into the gravel and quickly aborted his flying lap. A few minutes later, Ollie Bearman made a near-identical mistake.
Moments like these are costly in final practice. It’s not just about setting a time—it’s about learning the limits before Qualifying. Unfortunately, these errors robbed both drivers of valuable simulation data.
9. Porpoising Returns to Haunt Norris
Norris aborted one of his hot laps due to a snap of oversteer, which he later blamed on porpoising at Turn 9—a ghost from F1’s past. It’s rare to hear that term in 2025, but it’s a reminder that aerodynamic setups are still a tightrope act.
That incident may have cost him a shot at the top, but it also signals a potential area of concern McLaren will need to address quickly.
10. Verstappen Struggles to Find Grip
Max Verstappen had an unusually quiet session. Despite going all-in during the final few minutes, he could only manage P5—behind Russell. Verstappen’s comments over team radio reflected his struggles, particularly in the slower corners where rear grip was lacking.
Red Bull has a mountain to climb before qualifying, and if Max can’t fix those balance issues, he may be in for a tough Saturday.
11. Isack Hadjar Continues to Impress
Quietly making headlines again is Isack Hadjar, who slotted into P6—a fantastic result for the young French driver. With a composed drive and clean laps, Hadjar is steadily building his case as a future F1 regular.
If he continues this form into qualifying, don’t be surprised if he pulls off an upset.
12. The Top 10 Shakeup Before Qualifying
The full FP3 top 10 looked like this:
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren
- Lando Norris – McLaren
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
- George Russell – Mercedes
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull
- Isack Hadjar
- Kimi Antonelli
- Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin
- Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
- Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls
This mix of veterans, rookies, and rising stars shows just how competitive this grid really is.
13. What These FP3 Results Mean for Qualifying
With McLaren at the top and Ferrari close behind, the battle for pole looks to be a two-team shootout—unless Verstappen can find that magic touch. Qualifying simulations suggest McLaren has the edge, but track evolution and tyre strategy could swing things fast.
Expect surprises. Barcelona tends to throw curveballs.
14. Barcelona-Catalunya’s Tricky Corners and Challenges
From Turn 1’s tight braking zone to the sweeping right-handers of Sector 3, Barcelona-Catalunya is no walk in the park. Drivers must balance aggression with discipline, especially when the car’s rear is dancing under braking.
Grip is everything here. And in FP3, those who mastered tyre management rose to the top.
15. Final Thoughts: Momentum Builds for McLaren F1
If FP3 is the dress rehearsal, McLaren just stole the show. With Piastri setting the standard and Norris not far behind, they’re heading into qualifying with a serious advantage.
But this is F1—anything can happen in a heartbeat. All eyes now turn to 16:00 local time, when qualifying gets underway and the real story of the Spanish Grand Prix begins to unfold.
FAQs
1. Who was fastest in FP3 at the Spanish Grand Prix?
Oscar Piastri topped FP3 for the Spanish Grand Prix with a 1m 12.387s lap, leading a dominant McLaren performance.
2. How did Lando Norris perform in FP3?
Norris finished second in FP3 but struggled with porpoising and oversteer, forcing him to abandon a flying lap.
3. Why did Max Verstappen struggle in FP3?
Verstappen reported grip issues and could only manage the fifth-fastest time, indicating Red Bull may be slightly off the pace.
4. Was Charles Leclerc competitive in FP3?
Yes, Leclerc finished third and looked sharp in the first two sectors, although he lacked pace in the final sector.
5. What time is qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix?
Qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix starts at 16:00 local time at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
