Grand Prix competition in Spain kicks off this coming Friday.
The Formula 1 paddock concludes a testing three-week series with the Spanish Grand Prix marking the end of the season's inaugural 'triple header'. The race weekend kicks off this Friday with the initial practice sessions commencing at 12:30 PM, followed by another hour-long session at 4:00 PM.
On Saturday, drivers partake in Practice 3 and qualifying, with the race slated for Sunday at the typical time of 2:00 PM. After eight rounds, Oscar Piastri holds the championship lead with 161 points, edging out his McLaren teammate Lando Norris by three points. Norris secured a spirited win at the iconic Monaco GP last week.
Whether reigning champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) can narrow the gap in Spain, where he currently trails the lead by 25 points, remains to be seen. Practice sessions on the track this Friday morning will provide initial insights. It's also noteworthy that the Formula 3 race is scheduled concurrently, featuring Portuguese driver Ivan Domingues.
For more details on the Spanish Grand Prix dates and times, read our separate article.
While the 2025 season sees Piastri leading the pack, the final outcome of the championship race is heavily dependent on the results from future events and cannot be definitively predicted based on practice session performances alone. In the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen, then leading the championship, clinched an impressive victory, significantly narrowing the gap with Charles Leclerc before taking the championship lead.
Not every racer chooses sports like auto-racing, but this weekend, the focus is on Formula 1 racing during the Spanish Grand Prix, especially since Oscar Piastri leads the championship with 161 points. However, the race is not just about Piastri, as the noteworthy Formula 3 race will also feature Portuguese driver Ivan Domingues.
