F1 Spanish GP LIVE: Qualifying updates as Piastri goes for pole after setting pace in final practice
F1 next rolls on to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix and the last edition of the event to take place in Catalunya.
The Spanish GP will relocate to Madrid next year, though Barcelona is expected to finish its current contract with a final race in 2026.
Lando Norris won last time out in Monaco, reducing the gap in the world championship to leader and teammate Oscar Piastri to just three points. Charles Leclerc finished in second for Ferrari's second podium of the season.
Max Verstappen, who finished fourth in Monaco, won last year's race in Spain while Lewis Hamilton will be eyeing further improvement, particularly in light of a new FIA clampdown on flexi-wings this weekend.
F1 SPANISH GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
The Spanish GP grid will be decided as qualifying kicks off at 3pm BST
Qualifying comes after the final practice session which saw Oscar Piastri go fastest
McLaren reigned supreme in Friday's sessions with Piastri and Norris setting the pace
Alpine boss Flavio Briatore 'should not be back in F1', says Johnny Herbert
Johnny Herbert believes Flavio Briatore should 'not be back in F1 ' after the Italian maverick returned to the paddock with Alpine as de facto team principal.
Briatore, 75, will enact all the duties of former team principal Oliver Oakes after the Briton's resignation three weeks ago, due to personal reasons.
While Briatore's official title will remain 'executive adviser', he is effectively back as team boss 17 years after the 2008 Crashgate scandal, when he was initially given a lifetime ban from the sport for his role as Renault team principal in Nelson Piquet Jnr's deliberate crash in Singapore.
Briatore's ban was later overturned in the French courts but, given his chequered past, ex-F1 driver Herbert believes it's wrong that the Italian has returned in a team-leading capacity in the paddock.
Alpine boss Flavio Briatore 'should not be back in F1', says Johnny Herbert
Briatore is de facto team principal at Alpine, 17 years on from his role in F1's infamous 'Crashgate' scandal
Will Castle31 May 2025 14:40
Carlos Sainz opens up on Red Bull F1 rejection after Ferrari axe
Carlos Sainz has opened up on Red Bull rejecting the chance to sign him last year after he was axed by Ferrari in favour of Lewis Hamilton.
'I spoke with Red Bull, but they didn't want me,' Sainz told the El Cafelito Podcast, from Chiringuito Inside.
'For various reasons, we couldn't reach an agreement. People who know about F1 probably know why Red Bull didn't want me.
'I have nothing against them or their decision-making.'
Carlos Sainz opens up on Red Bull F1 rejection after Ferrari axe
The Spanish driver was a contender to become Max Verstappen's teammate but instead moved to Williams
Will Castle31 May 2025 14:20
Susie Wolff: 'F1 is not a man's world anymore'
Susie Wolff, managing director of the all-female racing series F1 Academy, speaks to Kieran Jackson about the growing number of women in motorsport and when she is targeting a female driver on the grid:
Susie Wolff: 'F1 is not a man's world anymore'
Wolff, managing director of the all-female racing series F1 Academy, speaks to Kieran Jackson about the growing number of women in motorsport and when she is targeting a female driver on the grid
Will Castle31 May 2025 14:00
2025 F1 calendar in full
ROUND 9 - SPAIN
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 30 May-1 June
ROUND 10 - CANADA
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal - 13-15 June
ROUND 11 - AUSTRIA
Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 27-29 June
ROUND 12 - GREAT BRITAIN
Silverstone Circuit - 4-6 July
ROUND 13 - BELGIUM (sprint weekend)
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 25-27 July
ROUND 14 - HUNGARY
Hungaroring, Budapest - 1-3 August
ROUND 15 - NETHERLANDS
Circuit Zandvoort - 29-31 August
ROUND 16 - ITALY
Monza Circuit - 5-7 September
ROUND 17 - AZERBAIJAN
Baku City Circuit - 19-21 September
ROUND 18 - SINGAPORE
Marina Bay Street Circuit - 3-5 October
Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 17-19 October
ROUND 20 - MEXICO
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 24-26 October
ROUND 21 - BRAZIL (sprint weekend)
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 7-9 November
ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Street Circuit - 20-22 November
Lusail International Circuit, Lusail - 28-30 November
ROUND 24 - ABU DHABI
Yas Marina Circuit - 5-7 December
Will Castle31 May 2025 13:40
Oscar Piastri says relationship with Lando Norris unaffected by title battle
Oscar Piastri has claimed his relationship with Lando Norris will not spiral out of control as the McLaren drivers duel to become champion of the world.
'Of course it is an interesting dynamic, but my relationship with Lando at the track, and away from the track, is very similar to how it has been, and, if anything, we get along better now than we ever have,' Piastri told the PA news agency.
'The way we work together to give ourselves the best chance of success is still as strong as ever, and that has been a strength from the moment we have been team-mates.
'We get along very well. That hasn't changed. I don't expect it to change. But obviously we are both trying to win a world championship and only one of us can do it.'
Oscar Piastri says relationship with Lando Norris unaffected by title battle
The McLaren pair have won six of this season's eight races between them.
Will Castle31 May 2025 13:30
F1 constructor standings
1. McLaren - 317 points
2. Mercedes - 147 points
3. Red Bull - 143 points
4. Ferrari - 142 points
5. Williams - 54 points
6. Haas - 26 points
7. Racing Bulls - 22 points
8. Aston Martin - 14 points
9. Alpine - 7 points
10. Sauber - 6 points
Will Castle31 May 2025 13:20
F1 driver standings
1. Oscar Piastri – 161 points
2. Lando Norris – 158 points
3. Max Verstappen – 136 points
4. George Russell – 99 points
5. Charles Leclerc – 79 points
6. Lewis Hamilton – 63 points
7. Kimi Antonelli – 48 points
8. Alex Albon – 42 points
9. Esteban Ocon – 20 points
10. Isack Hadjar – 15 points
11. Lance Stroll – 14 points
12. Carlos Sainz – 13 points
13. Yuki Tsunoda – 10 points
14. Liam Lawson – 8 points
15. Pierre Gasly – 7 points
16. Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points
17. Ollie Bearman – 6 points
18. Fernando Alonso – 0 points
19. Jack Doohan – 0 points
20. Gabriel Bortoleto – 0 points
Will Castle31 May 2025 13:00
Lewis Hamilton brands speculation of Ferrari rift as 'BS'
Lewis Hamilton has dismissed claims he is at odds with Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami, insisting that he is 'amazing to work with'.
Addressing the post-race message ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton replied: 'It was literally just there were areas where we had radio problems through the race, and I did not get the information that I wanted. We spoke afterwards.
'There is a lot of speculation and most of it is BS. We have a great relationship. He is amazing to work with. He is a great guy. He is working so hard, we both are.'
Lewis Hamilton brands speculation of Ferrari rift as 'BS'
Hamilton says he has a great relationship with his Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami
Will Castle31 May 2025 12:50
F1 title gamechanger? Spanish GP awaits impact of new flexi-wing rule
Could round nine represent a turning point for McLaren's rivals? The much-talked-about FIA regulation change this weekend, clamping down on flexi front-wings, sees a technical change to the front of this year's cars by just 5mm.
Kieran Jackson previews how the change could shake things up:
F1 title gamechanger? Spanish GP awaits impact of new flexi-wing rule
Will Castle31 May 2025 12:45
Top 10 in FP3
1. Piastri
2. Norris
3. Leclerc
4. Russell
5. Verstappen
6. Hadjar
7. Antonelli
8. Alonso
9. Hamilton
10. Lawson
Will Castle31 May 2025 12:40
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South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
George Russell feels Max Verstappen should have been disqualified at Spanish GP
A processional race at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya – which was won by Oscar Piastri as he extended his championship advantage over second-placed Lando Norris from three points to 10 – came alive on lap 64 of 66 when a furious Verstappen and Russell came to blows. Following a safety-car restart, Verstappen fell off the road as he attempted to defend fourth position from Russell. He rejoined ahead of the Mercedes driver but was advised by his Red Bull team to concede the position. Drama in the closing stages of the race! 😱 Max Verstappen drops to P10 following a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with George Russell #F1 #SpanishGP — Formula 1 (@F1) June 1, 2025 Verstappen slowed down at Turn 5 to allow Russell past, but then accelerated and drove into his rival's Mercedes. 'What the f***'?' Russell said on the radio. Verstappen later moved out of Russell's way, and crossed the line in fifth. However, he was hit with a 10-second penalty by the stewards – demoting him to 10th – and also punished with three penalty points on his licence which leaves him just one point away from a race ban. In commentary for Sky Sports, Nico Rosberg said Verstappen's sanction was too lenient and that he should have been shown a black flag – an immediate disqualification. And when the 2016 world champion's claim was put to Russell, the Englishman replied: 'If it was truly deliberate then absolutely, because you cannot deliberately crash into another driver. 'We are putting our lives on the line. We are fortunate the cars are as safe as they are these days but we shouldn't take it for granted. A post shared by George Russell (@georgerussell63) 'It felt very deliberate. It is something I have seen numerous times in sim racing and go-karts. I have never seen it in a Formula One race. It felt strange, bizarre and I really don't know what was going through his mind. 'It is a shame because Max is one of the best drivers in the world but manoeuvres like that are totally unnecessary. It lets him down, and it is a shame for all of the young kids looking up to us, aspiring to be Formula One drivers.' Responding to Russell's criticism, Verstappen said: 'Well, I'll bring some tissues next time. 'He has his view, I have my view. It's better not to comment. In life you shouldn't regret too many things. (I have) no regrets.' Verstappen had just lost third place to Charles Leclerc after he opened the door to the Ferrari driver when he made a mistake on the exit of the final corner in a six-lap shootout to the flag following the deployment of a safety car. Russell then attempted to sling his Mercedes underneath Verstappen's Red Bull at the first corner before the Dutchman took to the escape road and remained ahead of the Briton. 'Max, can you let Russell through, please?' said Verstappen's race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase. 'What? I was ahead, mate. What the f***! He just ran me off the road.' Explaining their decision to hit Verstappen with a 10-second penalty – which leaves him a distant 49 points adrift of Piastri in the championship – the stewards said: 'From the radio communications, it was clear that the driver of Car 1 (Verstappen) was asked by his team to 'give the position back' to Car 63 (Russell) for what they perceived to be an earlier breach by Car 1 for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage (in fact, we had later determined that we would take no further action in relation to that incident). 'The driver of Car 1 was clearly unhappy with his team's request to give the position back. At the approach to Turn 5, Car 1 significantly reduced its speed thereby appearing to allow Car 63 to overtake. 'However, after Car 63 got ahead of Car 1 at the entry of Turn 5, Car 1 suddenly accelerated and collided with Car 63. The collision was undoubtedly caused by the actions of Car 1.'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Oscar Piastri sees off McLaren team-mate Lando Norris to claim his FIFTH victory of the F1 season at the Spanish Grand Prix - as Max Verstappen and George Russell reignite fiery feud
There is only one flaw in the greatest driver in the world. Just as there was with Michael Schumacher when he ruled Formula One. And it brought him, Max Verstappen, low on lap 64 of 66 on Sunday as he blew his top and lost his composure. A few minutes later he was gracious as he spoke about his deed of moments earlier, if unrepentant. Introspection is not his style. Action is. It is part of the DNA that makes him by a wider margin superior to the next best of his contemporaries than anyone in history. But there was a sense of desperation, of not being in charge of all he surveyed, that, surely, impelled him to drive deliberately into George Russell. As Murray Walker always argued in Schumacher's defence, the German acted without 'malice aforethought' and that is about as solid a defence as you can offer for Verstappen's impulsive act. And his instinct to fight out of a dark hole was more vivid because Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix may prove pivotal in several ways. It was a race won by Oscar Piastri with ice in his veins. It means the Australian is now clear favourite for the world title. He has won five of nine races this season. Linked, it indicates that Lando Norris is struggling to stay in the ring. His form is fragile. He is unable to piece together back-to-back wins. Up in Monaco last week, down in Barcelona this. Second meant he slipped 10 points behind Piastri in the other superlative McLaren. Perhaps time will help Norris – there are 14 races remaining – or will the nagging doubts grow horns? And the final of the three things this race suggested, is that we may be witnessing the end of the Verstappen dominance. Four times in four years, touched by the angels more than the devil, he has won the title. Once controversially, twice with sledgehammer-force, finally with grit that raised him beyond what ought to have been the limitations of his car. Now, he is 49 points off Piastri. You sense that frustration was crowding in on him. McLaren are up the road, dominant beyond belief, a reality underlined by Red Bull rightly turning to a three-stop strategy yesterday. On a two-stopper, they were toast. So when the safety car came out after Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes had given up the ghost and all the leaders were reshod, Verstappen was restricted to hard tyres. It's all they had left. His opponents were on softs. It put him at a dreadful disadvantage. He expressed his disquiet over the radio. He then made a rare mistake. He went on to the kerb on the straight and lost his shape. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc went past him. They touched. The stewards cleared them both. A second or two later, he was attacked by Russell at the first corner. Rather than take the bend, Verstappen was forced off and went straight on – an off-the-road shortcut. Then came the fateful instruction to swap places with Russell. Now, Verstappen is a good reader of these things, knowing how to press his claims with nuclear tenacity yet within the rules. He did so several times in close combat with Norris last year, only once – in my view – overstepping the mark, in Mexico. This time he was right in asserting he did not need to cede to Russell. The stewards later said so in their adjudication. So the event that was to unfold would not have unfolded had his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, known as GP, not insisted he did. Verstappen saw red. He operates on a short fuse. He does not blink. Thus, he deliberately steered right into Russell, accelerating as he did so. Nico Rosberg, world champion nine years ago, said the Dutchman should be black-flagged. Rosberg is a big admirer of Verstappen's repertoire of skills that have slaughtered every team-mate he has encountered. But here, in this condemnation, was an echo of his father Keke, 1982 world champion, who called Schumacher a 'cheap cheat' that afternoon of infamy in Monaco where the German parked up at Rascasse to block Fernando Alonso's qualifying lap in 2006. The calculation in that skulduggery was worse than some of Schumacher's more impetuous fouls, and worse, in my estimation, than Verstappen's hot-headed madness here. But the Dutchman acted dangerously and the 10-second penalty that sent him from fifth to 10th was lenient. If it was deliberate – and Verstappen given the chance to deny it declined to – an exemplary sentence was required. Later, told that Russell accused him of setting a bad example to youngsters, Verstappen seemed to think the verdict priggish. 'OK, well, I'll bring some tissues next time,' he said. On the question of entangling intentionally, Verstappen said: 'He has his view; I have my view. It's better not to do comment.' Of Rosberg's black-flag call: 'That's his opinion.' As of the championship situation: 'I never said that I was in a championship fight. Every race has been tough. When McLaren get their things right, they are unbeatable.' Will he speak to Russell? 'No, not necessary. I don't have anything to say.' Does he regret anything? 'In life you shouldn't regret too many things. No regrets.' That is fair up to a point. Elite sport is not a place for self-doubters. But conduct is important in the assessment of reputation and legacy, not least when you have a genius talent to protect and nurture. It was also another horror show for Lewis Hamilton (who, it should be noted, has never resorted to shady deeds on track). He was asked to let his faster team-mate Leclerc through, just as he was in China on the only previous occasion he out-qualified him. He was later passed by Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg and finished sixth. Leclerc claimed third place. 'I have no idea why it was so bad,' said Hamilton. 'That was the worst race I have experienced, balance-wise.' Positives? 'Zero.' And where does he go from here? 'Home.'
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Liverpool fans fear £37m star is leaving after girlfriend's social media post
There are growing fears that Luis Diaz may have played his final game for Liverpool after the forward's girlfriend penned an emotional letter to fans on social media. Diaz, 28, racked up 13 goals and five assists across an excellent individual season in the Premier League to help Liverpool clinch their record-equaling 20th top-flight title in Arne Slot's first year at the helm. It adds to the FA Cup and two Carabao Cup titles that Diaz had already won across his opening two-and-a-half years under Jurgen Klopp. Slot has been unequivocal that he views Diaz as a central figure going forward, but speculation has been mounting that the Colombia international could be set for the exit door this summer. Barcelona are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements to further strengthen their La Liga-winning squad and have reportedly placed Diaz at the top of their wishlist, alongside Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr are also believed to be exploring a possible bid for the ex-Porto star. With that in mind, it is little wonder that many fans began fearing the worst when Diaz's partner, Gera Ponce, took to Instagram to thank the Anfield faithful for 'the unconditional love' they had received throughout their time on Merseyside. 'To the incredible Liverpool fans,' Ponce said in a touching post some have read as a farewell message. 'From the first day we arrived, we felt first hand what it means to be a part of this club. 'We knew the slogan was 'You'll Never Walk Alone', but to hear them sing it with so much passion, support each other at every moment and show such unconditional love… confirmed to us that here you never walk alone. 'This fan doesn't just support, it feels. And what you have made my boyfriend and our entire family feel is something we carry in our souls.' Ponce added: 'Thank you for so much love, for so much dedication and for making us feel at home. 'Being a part of this fan is a privilege. There's no doubt: they're the best in the world. 'This is a real bond, deep and strong, that reaffirms that we'll never walk alone.' In response to the post, @theliverpoolzone_ wrote: 'I hope this isn't a farewell post [crying emoji].' 'Is this a goodbye? [crying emoji],' one Liverpool fan replied. 'I hope this isn't a goodbye post? I hope you're here to stay for a long time! [love heart emoji],' another supporter responded. 'Don't go!' @anythinglfc_ wrote, while another fan replied: 'Don't let him go, if he wants to make history, Liverpool is the team.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Barca's interest in Diaz stretches back over a year and the club's sporting director, Deco, has refused to rule out a summer move, revealing his admiration for the Colombian last week. 'We like Luis and we like Rashford,' Deco told Catalan radio station RAC1. 'However, we can't talk about players who are under contract. 'For me, it's much more important to improve what we have at home.' Diaz, meanwhile, insisted he was 'really happy' to be a Liverpool player as he spoke to the club's official website in the wake of their Premier League title triumph. 'I feel I'm going through a really good period,' Diaz said. 'I'm really happy to be here, to be part of this great institution, this great club and to have great team-mates around me. 'From the moment I arrived, I felt great pride. I always tried to work hard for this, and to see that nowadays things are working out for me fills me with pride and I'm really happy because that's what I work for. More Trending 'But we are nobodies without our team-mates. We are a team. 'The forwards and wingers always try to help with goals and assists, and right now I've achieved good numbers to back that up. 'It's about playing and then playing well, supporting the team in the way I play and enjoying it, like always.' Diaz's current contract with the English champions runs through to June 2027. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes receives transfer message from Portugal team-mate MORE: Man Utd transfer target told he is making mistake by choosing Chelsea instead MORE: Arsenal and Chelsea learn price to sign transfer target from Premier League rivals
