In free practice at the new Spanish circuit, the Italian world leader sets the best time, followed by the Reds. Mc Laren are in difficulty
New track but the best time is still Kimi Antonelli unleashed. In Madrid, where the Formula 1 single-seaters took to the track for the first time, it was once again the Italian world championship leader and recent winner in Monza who preceded everyone. Kimi’s best time demonstrates an exceptional moment for the Bolognese who can count on a very fast Mercedes once again. “We will definitely have fun in qualifying – assured Antonelli – but we will have to be careful to find the limit without making mistakes, because on a track with so little margin all it takes is one mistake to ruin the entire weekend”. The new Madring as the new Spanish circuit has been named is new for all the drivers, but those who immediately found themselves at ease in the first two test sessions were Antonelli and the two Ferrari drivers. Leclerc and Hamilton in fact achieved the second and third fastest times behind Kimi and after the sensational debacle of Monza are called to relaunch themselves, but once again Antonelli’s Mercedes will be the car to beat for the reds from Maranello.
A tenth of a gap
Behind Mercedes there is therefore Ferrari, second with Charles Leclerc and third with Lewis Hamiltonwith a very similar gap between the two, just over a tenth. The references follow what we saw in the first session: the Red team is very effective in the first half, it reaches top speeds higher and higher than those of the Mercedes, a sign that it uses more energy in that section. The situation is reversed in the second half of the track, where Mercedes has the upper hand, even in driving areas that require good aerodynamic load. This is perhaps the biggest surprise of Friday, as if Stella had focused not only on top speeds, but also on a more stable car in corners to give the drivers confidence. A surprise was also included among the top teams, Racing Bulls Arvid Lindbladprotagonist for better or for worse. The Briton finished less than two and a half tenths behind Antonelli, but despite himself was the author of the only red flag of the second session, ending up in the wall in the second sector in the curve following the Monumental after losing the rear on entry. The Racing Bulls driver precedes George Russell, fifth, which struggled to improve with the softer compound. Sixth time for Max Verstappen with Red Bull and a bad day for Mc Laren instead: seventh fastest for Oscar Piastri while Lando Norris he was unable to take part in the second session due to a problem which required the replacement of the gearbox.
