The first free practice in preparation for the F1 Grand Prix of Spain has been concluded by Charles Leclerc with the fastest time.
At the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, the Ferrari driver outmaneuvered his teammate in 1:19.828. Max Verstappen drove the third fastest time in the RB18.
Times Grand Prix of Spain 2022.
The first free practice on the sun-drenched Spanish asphalt had started and the first time of the day appeared behind Nyck de Vries’ name. The Dutchman drove his first official F1 lap in 1:27.438. The rest of the field soon followed with Max Verstappen leading the way with the provisional fastest time in 1:23.163 ahead of Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo.
At the end of the first 10 minutes, Verstappen had tightened the fastest time to 1:22.693 with Leclerc close behind. Ricciardo in turn was followed by Carlos Sainz, his compatriot Fernando Alonso closed the top 5.
While the drivers quietly drove their laps, Max Verstappen continued to improve his time. The Limburger led the field in the provisional fastest time of 1:22.143 while a third of the session had already been completed. Leclerc invariably followed while George Russell was now in P3 ahead of Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly closed the top 5 for that moment. The entire field had been running for a while except for Sebastian Vettel and Kevin Magnussen.
After half an hour, the Dane set his first time in 1:25.035, good for P19 for Juri Vips. At that moment Nyck de Vries shot into the top 5 and followed Mercedes driver Russell. The Dutchman would drop some places as there were quite a few changes at the head of the field. Now Carlos Sainz was the fastest man on the track in 1:19,907. with just under half an hour to go. Russell improved to p2 with Lewis Hamilton on his tail. Lando Norris had the fourth fastest time to Yuki Tsunoda.
Max Verstappen was back on track after a short stop and had switched to the soft tyre. The Dutchman followed Sainz, the difference between them was 2 tenths of a second. Not long after, Leclerc passed the pair and drove to P1 in a time of 1:828.
With fifteen minutes to go, Juri Vips was on P20 behind Robert Kubica. De Vries followed Valtteri Bottas. At the top of the timekeeping, Leclerc led for the time being ahead of Sainz and Verstappen. The session came to an end in which Charles Leclerc was the fastest man of the moment in a time of 1:19.828. Carlos Sainz followed his teammate into P2 while Max Verstappen settled for P3 behind his name.
Results first free practice Grand Prix Spain 2022
