Lewis Hamilton has emerged as the frontrunner in the practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix, signaling a resurgence for Mercedes as they continue to improve. The seven-time world champion, who is set to join Ferrari next season, narrowly outpaced Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and McLaren’s Lando Norris. The sessions were notably competitive, with 16 drivers finishing within less than a second of each other.Red Bull, however, encountered technical difficulties, with Max Verstappen and Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez unable to find the right setup for their RB20 cars. Both drivers are still adjusting to recent updates, with Pérez experiencing balance and accelerator issues. McLaren’s Norris and rookie Oscar Piastri also had a commendable day, with Norris finishing third and Piastri seventh in the second practice session.Amidst rumors of sabotage within Mercedes, team principal Toto Wolff vehemently denied allegations that some team members are undermining Hamilton’s performance. The team is united in their efforts to continue their positive trajectory, as evidenced by Hamilton’s practice results.The paddock also buzzed with news of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly finishing fourth in practice, while Haas’ Ollie Bearman, a likely future full-time seat holder, ended the first session in 19th. As the teams gear up for Saturday’s qualifying, the stage is set for a thrilling weekend of racing at the Spanish Grand Prix, with all eyes on Hamilton to see if he can maintain his lead and challenge for victory on Sunday.
Key points
- Lewis Hamilton led the free practice sessions at the Spanish Grand Prix, with Mercedes showing significant improvement.
- Red Bull faced technical issues, impacting Verstappen and Pérez’s performance.
- McLaren’s Norris and rookie Piastri demonstrated strong potential in practice.
- Allegations of sabotage within Mercedes have been strongly denied by team principal Toto Wolff.
