It's hot at home, it's hot in Spain. And even though we're still in Barcelona, it seems that the circuit is already nostalgic: it's the last time before the big move to Madrid in 2026. And so, while Montmeló begins to say goodbye, FP3 begins quietly for this GP in Spain, ready for qualifying this afternoon.
Zero bangs (for now)
But yes, there are roars: Fernando Alonso is the first to take to the track and the crowd makes itself heard. For the first ten minutes, however, everything is still: silence in the pits, silence on the track. There is more movement during the spring cleaning than between those curbs. With 39 minutes to go, everyone wakes up a bit. Almost everyone is going around, the Haas, Lawson, Tsunoda and Bortoleto who had already made a quick appearance in the first 5 minutes remain in the pits. The big names are starting to mark their territory. Between Hamilton and Leclerc a few tenths, almost all on medium tyres, except for those who prefer not to reveal their cards.
According to Pirelli, the ideal strategy should revolve around the softs — with, at most, one pass on the mediums — and at least two mandatory pit stops. But in this FP3 everyone seems to be doing their own calculations. The interpretations are as many as the cars on the track. Although the FIA regulation also tries to balance things out, especially at the level of rear wings, McLaren doesn't care and stays first. And the gaps speak for themselves.
While many teams still seem intent on finding compromises between set-up and tyre management, in Woking they keep going straight. All, except perhaps Oscar Piastri, who at a certain point finds himself with the car parked and the mechanics busy taking off half his seat. Not exactly the definition of a “productive session”.
No crashes, only 20 cars around
But let's say it: literally nothing happened. There has been talk, yes: of new wings, of how much impact they can have, of Mercedes who still seem to be looking for the magic formula, of their new funds to keep the dirt out, of McLaren who appears increasingly solid. But on the track? No drama, no spectacle.
The only twist: Lando Norris goes long in Turn 9, betrayed by a rear end that doesn't warn him - he leaves it there, like "I'll be right there" and then disappears. Luckily the escape route is wide and saves everything. In the end everyone tries the red tire. They try to understand, they follow their instincts, they chase their teammate, but always with delicacy: no one stresses the car too much, Oscar Piastri first and foremost, who seems to dance between the curves so as not to ruin the tires.
Last gasp (so to speak): a small misunderstanding between Leclerc and Hamilton. A charade in the slipstream: Did Leclerc want to let pass? Give a slipstream? Play hide and seek? Who knows. But all this is the fault of the Ferrari pit wall that is bullying the British champion (can you say that?). In the end, the fastest is Oscar piastri, followed by Norris, Leclerc, Russell and Verstappen. And this fennel tea is over, hoping that qualifying and the race will give us a little more spice. And you, have you lined up?
