After the glitz and glamour of Monaco, Formula 1 shifts gears and heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the ninth round of the 2025 World Championship. Fresh off his victory in Monte Carlo, Lando Norris has closed the gap in the drivers’ standings and is now right behind his teammate, Oscar Piastri.
The upcoming race weekend promises high tension as the championship battle intensifies. While McLaren continues to dominate as a front-runner for both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles, a new directive from the FIA — TD018 — could shake things up. This technical guideline targets the flexibility of aerodynamic components, prohibiting teams from using parts that deform at high speeds to gain additional downforce. McLaren is believed to have benefited from such features, which will now be closely monitored, with every car’s wings subjected to increased scrutiny for rigidity.
Verstappen vs. McLaren, Ferrari Gaining on Mercedes
Despite the new directive, McLaren boss Zak Brown insists it won’t affect the team’s performance. All eyes will be on Piastri and Norris in Barcelona, especially with Norris just three points behind his teammate in the standings after a confidence-boosting win in Monaco. The dynamic between the two McLaren drivers could be pivotal in the outcome of this weekend’s race.
However, the McLarens will have to keep a close eye on Max Verstappen. The four-time world champion has a strong track record in Spain — it’s where he claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory in 2016 and has won there four times in total. The layout of the Barcelona circuit suits Red Bull’s car design, giving Verstappen a potential edge.
Mercedes, meanwhile, is eager to rebound after a string of underwhelming performances. In Imola, only George Russell managed to finish — in seventh place — while Kimi Antonelli retired. Monaco was even more disappointing, with both cars finishing outside the points after lackluster qualifying sessions that saw them start from 14th and 15th on the grid.
Ferrari Closes In on the Constructors’ Standings
Ferrari, on the other hand, made gains in Monaco and now trails Mercedes by just a single point in the constructors’ standings. Charles Leclerc delivered a strong performance, finishing second, while Lewis Hamilton came in fifth. Although Ferrari’s season has had a rockier start than anticipated, there are signs of improvement. If they can fine-tune their setup in Barcelona, the Scuderia could be on track for their first win of the year.
Full Weekend Schedule and Broadcast Details
The Spanish Grand Prix weekend kicks off on Friday, May 30, with two free practice sessions. FP1 is scheduled from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, followed by FP2 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, both airing on Canal+ Sport. The third practice session will take place on Saturday, May 31, at 4:00 PM, also on Canal+ Sport.
The main event — the Spanish Grand Prix — will start at 3:00 PM on Sunday, June 1. With key title implications and a tightening field of contenders, fans won’t want to miss a moment of the action from Barcelona.