P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The first day of practice in Barcelona saw Oscar Piastri pitch the fastest lap – but that doesn’t tell the whole story of the weekend.
Oscar Piastri set the fastest lap during Friday practice at the Spanish Grand Prix with a time of 1:12.760 in FP2, outperforming his rivals by three-tenths.
This strong start bodes well for the championship leader as McLaren aims to maintain its impressive form and secure a seventh win out of nine rounds.
While pole position was crucial in Monaco, it holds less significance in Barcelona, where 70 per cent of races have been won from the front of the grid.
Despite unknown factors like engine modes and fuel loads, McLaren’s dominant season start has seen them lead both practice sessions in Barcelona.
Piastri’s impressive performance in FP2, particularly in the first sector where he excelled, helped him secure the fastest lap time of the day.
