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Norris Leads Spanish GP Practice as F1's New Front-Wing Rules Debut

This weekend marks the debut of FIA-mandated stiffness tests designed to curb front-wing flexibility

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Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - May 30, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris during practice REUTERS/Albert Gea
Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - May 30, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris during practice REUTERS/Juan Medina
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Overview

  • Lando Norris set the fastest lap in FP1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a 1:13.718, edging Max Verstappen by 0.367 seconds and Lewis Hamilton by 0.378 seconds.
  • Under the FIA’s new front-wing stiffness tests, most teams introduced revised wing designs while McLaren ran its existing specification and expects minimal performance change.
  • Oscar Piastri posted the fifth-fastest time, 0.576 seconds behind his teammate, retaining a three-point lead in the drivers’ standings after eight of 24 races.
  • Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur predicted the tougher flex tests could narrow performance gaps and position his team to benefit from reduced wing flexibility.
  • The Spanish Grand Prix this weekend may be one of the last at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya before the event moves to a Madrid street circuit in 2026.