2nd practice Barcelona: Norris 1st, Verstappen P6, Hamilton/Ferrari in trouble

After the showcase of the reserve and junior drivers in the first practice session (seven regular drivers not in action), the second 60 minutes of practice were more meaningful - all 22 GP drivers in the cars.

Mercedes went into the Barcelona practice session as favourites, with George Russell coming out on top in the first session, ahead of Oscar Piastri in the McLaren and Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. The fans were eager to see whether Ferrari could advance with eight improvements (including to the wing, underbody, sidepods and rear). It is the first significant update to the red racing car since Miami.

The second practice session began with the air temperature at 30 degrees and the tarmac at 50 degrees. The first on track were the regular drivers who had to watch the first practice session, such as Pérez, Hülkenberg and Hamilton.

Charles Leclerc had tried out brake discs from Carbon Industries in the first practice session; Hamilton has been driving with these since Japan because the Briton allegedly has more braking feel with them than with Brembo. Leclerc kept these brakes for the second practice session. The change of material is not being discussed by Ferrari.

Early best time for Max Verstappen, ahead of Leclerc, Norris and Antonelli. Then last year's winner Piastri took command. Incidentally, McLaren also had a special livery in Spain to mark the 1000th F1 race. All drivers were on medium-hard Pirelli tyres at this point (marked in yellow).

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FIA Formula One World Championship

26.07.2026 - 17:15

Mercedes ace Russell moved up to P2 behind Piastri, world championship leader Kimi Antonelli skidded off the track in turn 10 at the same time, but apart from pride, nothing was hurt.

Valtteri Bottas was still not on track after 15 minutes: the control electronics of the Ferrari engine in the Cadillac were acting up.

Then the yellow flag: Liam Lawson's Racing Bulls car came to a halt on the entrance to the track. The New Zealander on the radio: "The engine is off." And he couldn't get it going again. Lawson took the steering wheel off and put it back on, hoping that this would bring an improvement. But it didn't.

Lawson again: "Everything off, the display says engine stop. I can't change gear, I think my gearbox is broken, crap!"

After 22 minutes, Verstappen is out on soft tyres (marked in red), but only a tenth of a second faster than before on medium-hard tyres. The step from medium-hard to soft tyres should actually be in the region of four or five tenths of a second.

Nico Hülkenberg moved up to P6 (on soft tyres) after 26 minutes, still no lap from Bottas in the Cadillac. Bottas' team-mate Pérez skidded off the track.

Position after 30 minutes: Piastri, Russell, Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Hadjar, Hülkenberg, Antonelli, Lawson and Sainz.

As usual in the second practice session, tests in qualifying trim in this phase, then back to harder compounds for race simulations.

Charles Leclerc with soft tyres then up to P2, 75 thousandths behind leader Piastri.

Alex Albon was worried in the Williams: "This car gives me no feeling, I feel disconnected, I need to understand what's going on here."

George Russell then took the lead, 289/1000 ahead of Piastri. Further back, a small private duel between Hadjar and Alonso, the Parisian rather dawdling at the pit exit. The FIA investigated for crossing the white line and the two-time champion will have to appear before the race stewards after practice.

Piastri with a new attempt, now just 48 thousandths behind leader Russell, then Norris fastest - McLaren in a better position here than previously in Montreal and Monte Carlo.

Lewis Hamilton only in P9 at this point: "Something's wrong with the rear of the car, I touched down all the way down the final straight." Answer from his race engineer: "It could be due to the change in wind direction."

Antonelli was also worried: half a second behind his Mercedes team-mate Russell, not normal.

Max Verstappen complained about the handling with the hard tyres: "I'm just sliding around here, it didn't make sense, I'm coming into the pits."

Lando Norris was also due to pit. His race engineer Will Joseph called on the radio: "Lando, I'm sorry, we forgot to adjust the front wing, do you want to come in?" We did not hear an answer.

Hadjar was upset about Pérez cutting him down. Isack: "Why is this guy doing this? Does he know what's going on on the track? Did he not see me or what?" Apparently not.

Conclusion of the second free practice: We have not yet seen the real balance of power.