01/06/2025
NEWS STORY
Tenuous we know, but stick with us...
When Max, in relation to the fight he expects at Turn 1 today, said that it is "time to shine", we couldn't help think of that scene in The Shining when Jack Nicholson, sticks his head through the broken door to inform a terrified Shelley Duvall: "Here's Johnny!"
Somehow, we can clearly envisage Max sticking the nose of his Red Bull between the Papaya pair this afternoon, and shouting into his helmet: "Here's Maxie!"
Indeed, if you've seen clips of Nicholson preparing for the shooting of the scene, you can imagine Max in his motorhome going through similar preparations as he seeks to take the shine off what, on paper, promises to be a McLaren walkover.
While Lewis claims the clampdown on wing flexing has been a waste of money, what we do know is that there has been little impact, other than the fact that the McLarens appear to be a little further ahead here.
But write Max off at your peril.
Unfortunately, not for the first time, the Dutchman has no support, for Yuki, having qualified plum last, will now start from the pitlane following numerous changes made to his car under parc ferme conditions. Other than set-up changes to the suspension, the Japanese driver's car now has a new front wing.
Much as we loathe getting on drivers' backs, we cannot help but feel that perhaps it is time to give Isack a go in the RB21, even though the seat is clearly a poisoned chalice. Fact is, with only one driver scoring a decent haul of points on a regular basis what has the Austrian team got to lose.
The McLarens have been strong here, particularly Oscar, while Lando appears to have lost the head of steam he'd built up over the first legs of the triple-header. The Australian appears to have the upper hand, and, in our humble opinion, is the better bet over the course of the season, but Lando will not give up and it is the intra-team battle that will help the team's rivals the most.
Mercedes continues to look good, and has clearly consigned its Monaco misery to history. Russell, who made a stunning start last year, has looked strong all weekend and is probably best positioned to take advantage of any mishaps amongst the leaders.
While Lewis was the quicker of the Ferrari pair, Charles falling foul of the Maranello outfit's strategy, the Monegasque has one additional set of fresh mediums which could well prove to be a game changer. The Haas pair also have an additional set of the yellow-banded rubber.
Behind these we have Pierre, Isack, Fernando - clearly benefitting from home advantage - Alex, Gabriel and Liam, which all adds up to an interesting midfield fight.
Unlike the previous two races overtaking is possible here, and thanks to the fact that the track no longer hosts pre - or in - season testing, the Borcelonas of old are a distant memory.
Due to pain in his hand and wrist, related to his cycling accident in 2023, Lance has withdrawn from today's race.
As one wag suggested to us, could this signal a diplomatic means of bringing down the curtain on his F1 career...
According to Pirelli, a two-stop strategy is almost obligatory, with the mediums and softs seeing most of the action. We saw on Friday that the hards tends to slide too much and the lap times compared to those on the softer compounds reflect that.
"On paper, the soft-medium-soft strategy is fastest, as was the case last year. As we said, three drivers have saved two sets of mediums. For those starting on softs to make the most of the extra grip early on, with some drivers having new sets of the C3, the first stint should extend to at least Lap 12. Then, based on simulations, they'll aim to stretch the second stint to around lap 40, finishing with a final soft stint. With a lighter car, that last set should be enough to get to lap 66. Drivers aiming for a more balanced race and planning to use the second set of mediums will likely stop a few laps earlier. It's also worth noting that undercuts are particularly powerful here.
As for the performance of the C3, in qualifying we saw it is worth over a flying lap, as had already been evident in the three free practice sessions. The sudden seven degree drop in temperature in Q3, definitely saw the track get quicker, which paid off for those who had chosen to delay their last run as much as possible.
As for Turn 1, well first we're going to have the drag race, which, while suiting the McLarens, will also allow those behind to benefit from the tow. Then comes the fast right-left which has witnessed plenty of incidents over the years.
While winning the Turn 1 battle isn't as important as say Monaco, it forms part of the game, as do the opportunities for overtaking and pit strategy. For Max however, it would allow for an early psychological advantage.
The pitlane opens and the drivers head out, Hadjar followed by Bearman, Antonelli, Sainz and Colapinto.
The air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature is 49 degrees. Once again, it is sunny and very, very warm. Despite which there is a 10% chance of rain.
All are starting on softs bar Tsunoda who is on mediums. Fresh rubber for Piastri, Norris, Lawson, Bearman, Hulkenberg, Ocon, Sainz, Colapinto and Tsunoda.
They head off on the formation lap. All get away.
The grid forms, albeit slowly, very slowly.
A great start for Piastri, while Verstappen gets alongside and ahead of Norris. In Turn 1, Piastri leads with Verstappen just ahead of Norris who is on the inside. Having almost touched on the run down to the corner, Hamilton is ahead of his Ferrari teammate, both subsequently passing Russell as Antonelli runs wide and uses the escape road as do a number of other drivers further back.
Replay shows Antonelli having to use the escape road to avoid Leclerc, while Bortoleto, Hulkenberg and Sainz also had to make use of it.
Hulkenberg had to avoid a clash involving Lawson and Alonso, while Bortoleto and Albon touched causing the Stake driver to follow his teammate down the escape road.
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Piastri, Verstappen, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell, Antonelli, Gasly, Hadjar and Hulkenberg, the German up 5 places, while Albon has dropped three.
At the start of Lap 3, Verstappen is within DRS range of Piastri and has a little look heading into Turn 1.
Toto Wolff firmly tells Russell to "concentrate", when the driver complains about drivers moving under braking.
After 4 laps, Piastri is 2s clear of Verstappen who is 1.6s ahead of Norris.
Hulkenberg has been noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage on the opening lap.
Albon, who has front wing damage, is told to box at the end of Lap 6. It's a slow stop and he rejoins last, 27s down on Tsunoda.
"We can push on these tyres now," Norris is told.
3.5s behind Norris, Hamilton's mirrors are full of Leclerc.
At the start of Lap 9, Leclerc makes a move in Turn 1 but Hamilton isn't having it.
Tsunoda and Bearman both pit at the end of Lap 8.
As Hamilton finally yields to his teammate, Hulkenberg and Sainz pit. Leclerc is now 5.9s down on Norris.
Next time around Gasly pits, rejoining in 14th.
"Struggling a little with the rear," reports Norris.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Barcelona here.
Nonetheless, at the start of Lap 13 he passes Verstappen as they head into Turn 1, the world champion offering no resistance.
Lawson passes Bortoleto for tenth.
Verstappen pits and rejoins in eighth, behind Hadjar, while Piastri leads Norris by 4.1s.
Alonso has been noted for rejoining unsafely.
Colapinto pits at the end of Lap 14.
As Alonso pits, Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (19.630).
Hamilton pits at the end of Lap 16. "It's a long way to go," he says. "Protect the undercut," he is told.
Meanwhile, Leclerc is told "full push, full push!"
Verstappen passes Hadjar and soon passes Antonelli also., going around the outside in Turn 3.
Leclerc pits at the end of Lap 17, thereby promoting Verstappen to fourth.
"Why did you pull me in so early," asks Hamilton. Again he is told to protect the undercut.
Lawson pits at the end of Lap 18, rejoining in 16th, as Verstappen sweeps by Russell.
As Hadjar pits, Hulkenberg passes Ocon for ninth.
Asked if he can get to Lap 25, Piastri admits that it is possible but difficult.
Russell pits at the end of Lap 20, the Mercedes driver rejoining in 7th. Ocon also pits.
Next time around it is Norris who pits, the Briton rejoining in third, 9.2s down on Verstappen and 6s up on Leclerc, with Antonelli also having stopped.
Piastri pits a lap later, the Australian rejoining 5.1s down on new race leader Verstappen.
Russell posts a new fastest lap (19.163).
Everyone has pitted.
Antonelli passes Gasly for seventh, as Hadjar passes Hulkenberg for ninth.
"He needs to give the position back," urges Lawson of Albon. The Thai driver claims he was "pushed off".
As Alonso closes in, Lawson goes around the outside of Albon in Turn 1, while the Spaniard follows through.
Albon appears to have front wing damage again, having clashed with Lawson. Meanwhile the earlier incident in which the Williams driver passed the RB is under investigation.
Albon pits as Hadjar and Gasly battle for eighth.
In fact, Albon has been handed a 10 second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. However, rather than carry the penalty over to Canada he serves the penalty here before retiring.
The Thai driver is also under investigation for the collision with Lawson.
Verstappen makes his second stop at the end of Lap 29, rejoining in third just ahead of Hamilton.
"No grip mate," complains Hamilton as he falls 4s behind Verstappen.
As Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (18.216), Ocon and Lawson touch wheels as the RB driver makes a move on the Haas into Turn 1. Replay suggests the Kiwi came from too far back.
After 33 laps, Colapinto is lapped.
"33 laps complete, 33 laps remaining, all to play for, all to play for," Verstappen is told.
Bortoleto draws applause in the Stake garage as he makes a great move on Sainz.
As Verstappen sweeps by Leclerc for third, Norris insists that cannot push his front-left any harder.
2.8s down on his (slower) teammate, Norris goes quickest in S1 as he seeks to extend the 4.8s gap to Verstappen behind.
"The opportunities are good if we can close this gap more," Russell is told.
"McLaren are receiving the threat," Verstappen is told, "it's a long way to go for them."
Leclerc makers his second stop at the end of Lap 40, fitting his additional set of new mediums.
He rejoins in sixth.
Alonso makes his second stop of the afternoon, rejoining in seventeenth, just behind countryman Sainz.
Toto Wolff looking uncomfortable as Russell passes teammate Antonelli for sixth.
Lawson and Tsunoda both pit at the end of Lap 45. Hulkenberg pits shortly after.
"Box, box," Hamilton is told. The Briton duly obliges, and following a slow stop he rejoins in seventh.
"Swap positions with Hulkenberg," Bortoleto is told.
Verstappen makes his third stop at the end of Lap 47, rejoining in third on softs. He is momentarily held up by his Red Bull teammate who is battling Ocon for 16th.
Next time around Piastri and Hadjar pit, the Australian rejoining still in the lead, which has been cut to 3.8s, with Verstappen just 0.9s behind the second McLaren.
As Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (17.141), Antonelli makes his second pit stop.
"The car is completely broken," says Verstappen as he falls 1.3s behind Norris.
Norris loses valuable time as he is held up by a battling Lawson and Bearman, the Briton running wide in the process. Verstappen gesticulates his anger with the pair. "******* idiots," he says over the radio, even though it allowed him to close in on Norris.
Oblivious to it all, Alonso passes Bearman for 12th.
Bearman has been noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
Oh dear. Antonelli is off at Turn 10. As he climbs from his car the Safety Car is deployed.
Piastri pits, as do Norris, Verstappen, Alonso, Bearman, Leclerc, Russell and most of the others.
Piastri on softs, as is Norris, while Verstappen is on hards. Leclerc is on softs.
"Why are we on hards," askes Verstappen. "It was the only option," he is told.
Replay shows an engine failure for Antonelli.
As the dust settles, literally, all are on softs bar Verstappen and Ocon, who is on mediums.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Barcelona here.
Piastri leads Norris, Verstappen, Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton, Hadjar, Hulkenberg, Gasly and Lawson.
As Antonelli's car is removed from the gravel trap, lapped cars are allowed to overtake the Safety Car.
"They do love wasting laps," says Hamilton.
As the Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 60, Lawson, who heads the second train, catches up with then leading pack.
As Piastri heads off into the distance, Verstappen has a major snap in the final corner allowing Leclerc to pass. In Turn 1 the Dutchman runs wide.
"That's a penalty," he shouts, claiming that Leclerc pushed him off.
As Piastri posts a new fastest lap (15.743), Bearman is handed a 10s time penalty.
Replay shows that in fact Verstappen hit Leclerc on the pit straight, before being hit by Russell in Turn 1.
Alonso is all over Bortoleto who he manages.
"He needs to give the position back," urges Verstappen of Leclerc, but he is wrong.
In fact the Dutchman is told to allow Russell though.
"What the ****," says Russell as he makes to pass the Dutchman only for the Red Bull to move into him. Nonetheless, the Mercedes is through.
As the incident is noted, Alonso passes Lawson for tenth. Possibly his first points of the season.
Piastri begins his final lap.
Piastri takes the flag, ahead of Norris, Leclerc, Russell, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Hamilton, Hadjar, Gasly and Alonso.
Lawson is eleventh, ahead of Bortoleto, Tsunoda, Sainz, Colapinto, Ocon and Bearman.
A 10s penalty however sees Verstappen drop to tenth, promoting Alonso to ninth.
The incident involving Verstappen and Leclerc will investigated after the race and could well see further penalties. A race that promised so much for the Dutchman ended as a total disaster.
"When my engineers told me that Max was going on a new hard for the last stint, I was very optimistic," admits Leclerc, "as I knew how bad the hard was so that was when I knew I had to have a good restart!
"Oscar drove a very good race today," adds Norris, "I didn't quite have the pace to match him but we gave it our best shot, we both got pretty sideways at the restart!
"It was a bit of a surprise to see Max try and three-stop and it nearly worked for him," says Piastri. "But it was a great weekend, the pace was good and just really proud.
"A much better bounce back from Monaco. A superb weekend.
"It's hard to complain," he adds, "it has been a great year and this weekend has been exactly the kind of weekend I've been looking for. It is a lot of fun winning races at the moment.
"I saw Hulkenberg finished fifth, which is pretty impressive so well done to him!"
No rain and other than the technical directive no interference from above, but all in all an entertaining race and one which will have fans talking for days to come.
While the Safety Car turned the race on its head, so too did some of the strategic calls, especially Verstappen's third stop. And then there were those clashes with Leclerc and Russell.
In the cool down room, Leclerc and Piastri discuss car balance as the watch some of the earlier incidents in the race. However, the conversation stops, when the Leclerc/Verstappen incident comes on the screen "We touched here," says the Ferrari driver. "Ooh!" exclaim all three as they watch the subsequent clash with Russell.
"Oh, my God," says Leclerc. "I've done that before," adds Norris. "In Mario Kart!" All three laugh.
As we ponder whether 'Mad Max' has returned, Piastri heads into the break before Canada having extended his lead to ten points.
All in all an entertaining afternoon, the perfect pick-up after Monaco.