George Russell has topped the timing charts in the opening practice session at the Barcelona-Catalunya GP, ahead of Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc. The Brit's lap time of 1:16.353 was enough to edge out the competition after the first hour of practice during FP1, two tenths ahead of Piastri's McLaren and 0.520 ahead of Leclerc.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was not in action, as he was one of seven drivers who sat out the session, with teams deciding to use one of their young driver FP1 allocations.
Other drivers to sit out the session were Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Isack Hadjar, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg.
The highest performing young driver in FP1 was Leonardo Fornaroli, the 2025 Formula Two champion, who finished in fifth, just ahead of the Audi of Paul Aron.
Also stepping in for FP1 were Dino Beganovic (Ferrari), Ayumu Iwasa (Red Bull), Frederik Vesti (Mercedes) and Colton Herta (Cadillac).
Luke Browning failed to get his chance in the Williams, as his car was parked inside the garage with an electrical issue throughout the entirety of the session.
It was a difficult FP1 for Gabriel Bortleto in the Audi who ran into the gravel at Turn 9 and also went wide later at Turn 1.
Liam Lawson was frustrated after he felt he was blocked on a flying lap by Carlos Sainz, after coming across the Spaniard in the middle of a corner.
Max Verstappen reported difficulties over the radio and finished six tenths down in fourth. Completing the top 10 were Fornaroli, Aron, Lawson, Beganovic, Arvid Lindblad and Franco Colapinto.
Full Barcelona Grand Prix FP1 results
| 1st. George Russell | Mercedes | 1:16.363 |
| 2nd. Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.203 |
| 3rd. Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.520 |
| 4th. Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.624 |
| 5th. Leonardo Fornaroli | McLaren | +0.853 |
| 6th. Paul Aron | Audi | +0.958 |
| 7th. Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | +1.109 |
| 8th. Dino Beganovic | Ferrari | +1.415 |
| 9th. Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | +1.441 |
| 10th. Franco Colapinto | Alpine | +1.530 |
| 11th. Oliver Bearman | Haas | +1.809 |
| 12th. Gabriel Bortleto | Audi | +1.846 |
| 13th. Carlos Sainz | Williams | +1.930 |
| 14th. Ayumu Iwasa | Red Bull | +1.935 |
| 15th. Frederik Vesti | Mercedes | +2.002 |
| 16th. Esteban Ocon | Haas | +2.009 |
| 17th. Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +2.145 |
| 18th. Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | +2.551 |
| 19th. Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +3.704 |
| 20th. Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +3.995 |
| 21st. Colton Herta | Cadillac | +4.334 |
| 22nd. Luke Browning | Williams | No time |