Spanish Grand Prix: McLaren Tops the Charts at Practice 3, Leclerc Follows in Third

 

As the Formula 1 circus rolls into Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix, McLaren has fired a strong warning shot to the rest of the grid. With all three practice sessions now in the books, it's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris leading the charge, locking out the top two spots for McLaren in Practice 3. Charles Leclerc managed to slot into third, keeping Ferrari’s hopes alive heading into qualifying.

Practice 3 began on a relatively subdued note, with drivers cautiously feeling out the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya under evolving track conditions. But it wasn’t long before Piastri put the hammer down, laying down a marker that was never truly threatened. McLaren’s one-lap pace was undeniable, and with Norris backing up his teammate’s pace, the team looks well-positioned to challenge for pole.

While Red Bull and Mercedes appeared off the boil in the final practice, McLaren’s resurgence is a story worth noting. Many wrote them off early in the season, but they now look sharper, more confident, and increasingly aggressive. Barcelona has historically been a barometer of car performance due to its mix of high-speed corners and technical sectors, and if Practice 3 is anything to go by, McLaren has made a statement.

Charles Leclerc’s third-place finish might not look too dramatic on paper, but given Ferrari's up-and-down form this season, it’s a much-needed sign of consistency. That said, there’s still an air of unpredictability hanging over Ferrari’s weekend strategy. Can they convert this pace into a meaningful qualifying result?

The real questions remain: Is this a flash in the pan for McLaren, or a turning point in their campaign? Will Piastri carry this form through qualifying and the race, or will experience and racecraft tilt things back toward the usual suspects?

As F1 gears up for qualifying, one thing is certain—the Spanish Grand Prix weekend just got a lot more interesting.