2025 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix Highlights

Oscar Piastri has solidified his championship lead with a dominant victory at the 2025 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, leading a McLaren 1-2 finish with teammate Lando Norris amid late-race drama that included a collision between Max Verstappen and George Russell.

Piastri executed a flawless start from pole position, allowing the Australian to quickly build a significant lead over Max Verstappen, who had initially passed Norris at Turn 1. Norris regained his position later in the race, only to see Verstappen leapfrog both McLarens after the first round of pit stops, briefly taking the lead.

Verstappen’s strategy of a three-stop race injected uncertainty, especially after a Safety Car was deployed in the final stages due to a mechanical issue with Kimi Antonelli. The Safety Car period prompted most frontrunners to pit again, dramatically reshuffling the race order.

Despite the chaos behind him, Piastri maintained composure during the restart, pulling away from the field in a frantic six-lap dash to claim his fifth victory of the season. This achievement not only extends his championship lead but also underscores McLaren’s resurgence as a formidable force on the grid.

Charles Leclerc secured third place for Ferrari, while George Russell finished fourth after a contentious battle with Verstappen, resulting in a collision and subsequent penalties for the Red Bull driver. Nico Hulkenberg delivered a stellar performance, climbing from P15 on the grid to finish fifth for Kick Sauber.

Isola also highlighted the tactical variety on display: “Red Bull’s decision to run a three-stop strategy added an intriguing variable. With Tsunoda starting from the pit lane, the team had nothing to lose in experimenting. For Verstappen, however, the approach was a high-risk, high-reward gamble that nearly paid off — until the Safety Car altered the script.”

Strategic Shifts and Safety Car Drama: Tyre Tactics Define Unpredictable Grand Prix

Lance Stroll was absent from the starting grid, reducing the field to 19 cars, most of whom chose the Soft compound for their opening stint. Of these, ten drivers opted for used Softs, while eight went with fresh sets. In contrast, Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda was the lone outlier, starting from the pit lane on a set of Mediums — a bold strategic move that set him apart from the outset.

The race’s complexion changed dramatically in the closing laps with the deployment of the Safety Car, triggering a flurry of additional pit stops. Most of the grid capitalised on the neutralised conditions to switch tyres, including the Red Bull duo, who ultimately stopped four times, one more than their originally planned three-stop strategy. This adjustment forced Max Verstappen onto a set of Hard tyres for his final stint, introducing a rare splash of white on a tyre usage chart otherwise dominated by red (Soft) and yellow (Medium) compounds.

The Safety Car’s timing injected a fresh layer of unpredictability, ultimately disrupting Verstappen’s carefully calculated strategy and extinguishing his podium hopes despite a strong pace that had him in close contention with the McLarens.

Looking Ahead: Testing for 2026

The action continues behind closed doors as Pirelli remains at the circuit for two days of crucial testing in preparation for the 2026 season. Teams participating include Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, and Racing Bulls.

• Tuesday will see George Russell on track for Mercedes, while Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson will test for Racing Bulls.

• Wednesday features Kimi Antonelli driving for Mercedes and Yuki Tsunoda taking the wheel of a Red Bull.

These test sessions will provide vital data for Pirelli’s ongoing tyre development program, shaping the performance envelope for the next generation of Formula 1 cars.

2025 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix Race Results

2025 Constructor Standings

Here are the team-by-team highlights:

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