Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix Prediction: Piastri dominates to pole position in Barcelona!

As the Formula 1 caravan wraps up its European triple header, we arrive at a track that never forgives but always reveals: the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Spain takes us back to F1 racing roots: high corners, realistic tests of mechanics and aerodynamics, and a bit of drama in the form of the FIA’s technical directive on flexible wings that could shake up the standings. This is the ninth race of the season and a real litmus test. For the cars. And for the upgrades.

Spanish GP

After years of experimentation, the track was returned to its faster final configuration in 2023, without the slow chicanes. This allowed for a longer DRS entry into T1, but overtaking remains a challenge, especially in evenly matched cars. The middle section of the track (T4-T9) is a real test of car balance, while the final two corners test the courage of qualifying pace. Barcelona may not be the sexiest race on paper, but it may be the most honest this season. That is why so much is expected of it – from the teams, from the upgrades, but also from the FIA, which will for the first time strictly check the curvature of the front wing under load. If there is a shift in the standings, we will see it here first. Barcelona could be watched next season, there is no further confirmation, there are rumors of talks, but given the arrival of Madrid in 2026, it is unlikely that we will see two races in Spain later in 2026.

Piastri: The car was fantastic; Norris: We will have a great fight tomorrow

Oscar Piastri took the fourth-best starting position of the season after knocking team-mate Lando Norris off the top of the grid in the final Q3 lap, while Max Verstappen managed to finish third, clocking an identical time to fourth-placed George Russell. Piastri was fastest in all three stages of qualifying, but Norris led after the first laps in Q3 while making a few minor mistakes in the second to improve his lap by just 0.06s. Hamilton beat Russell in Grand Prix qualifying for the second time this season after China, in fifth place for Ferrari, half a second behind Piastri. Antonelli lost to Russell for the eighth time in nine qualifiers, but had an acceptably small 0.263s gap to his team-mate in sixth until Leclerc drove the second Q3 lap to finish seventh, 0.086s behind Hamilton. Gasly qualified for Q3 for Alpine in eighth place, beating Hadjar in the RB and Alonso in the Aston Martin, who advanced to the final part of qualifying for the third weekend in a row.

Hamilton: The goal is a top 3 finish

The Briton does not hide that he was satisfied with his driving in qualifying. "We have definitely improved compared to where we were. I think I drove better than in some previous qualifying sessions, so I am relatively satisfied. But still, we are not third, and we are close. We are certainly not where we want to be. I think we have taken a good direction this weekend in terms of car set-up and all the processes. There were some problems in the second practice, but we managed to make up for everything. I think we are all pretty even, and I will try to find myself on the podium for a change," said Hamilton.

Lance Stroll to miss Spanish GP

Aston Martin has announced that Lance Stroll will not be taking part in the Spanish Grand Prix, as he will undergo medical treatment after experiencing pain in his hand and wrist. After qualifying at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, where he finished 14th, the team confirmed hours later that Stroll would miss the rest of the race weekend.

Expert Betting Tips

Is this the end of Verstappen’s domination in Spain? In the last nine years, only Max Verstappen and Luis Hamilton were winners. However, it’s hard to believe or expect that either one of these two will break the party in McLaren. This race will bring a lot of excitement, it’s a very fast circuit, and with new technical rules, it will certainly make racing even more beautiful.

OUR PREDICTION: Lando Norris to win