George Russell was fastest in first practice for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix as he got his pivotal weekend off to a flying start. Russell has failed to score points in the last two Formula 1 grands prix after a terminal engine problem in Canada and a speeding penalty which led to a team blunder and another penalty in Monaco. It has left the British driver 68 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who missed first practice in Barcelona as Mercedes were one of seven teams
to run rookies in their cars – something the teams have to do four times during the season. Pierre Gasly reinstated to Monaco podium after successful appealBarcelona-Catalunya GP: UK schedule and how to watch on Sky SportsF1 2026 standings | F1 2026 Calendar | F1 Gossip ColumnDownload the Sky Sports app for expert analysis, best video & more📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 Russell was quickest on the medium and soft tyre runs, ending the session two tenths
faster than Oscar Piastri who ran a new front wing on his McLaren. “I’m just dying to have a smooth weekend I’m not asking for the world to give me luck, I just want like neutral luck,” said Russell coming into the weekend. McLaren have also had a difficult last two races but are hoping the return to a more conventional circuit will see them challenge Mercedes and potentially end the Silver Arrows’ unbeaten run on Sundays this year. Ferrari have brought the biggest upgrade
package to Barcelona, including a new floor and front wing, but Charles Leclerc was 0.520s slower than Russell. There will also be some head scratching at Red Bull as Max Verstappen was six tenths off the pace, despite a new front wing on the RB22. Italy’s Leonardo Fornaroli was the best of the rookies in fifth for McLaren, as he replaced Lando Norris, but the most impressive rookie was Estonia’s Paul Aron. Aron drove in place of Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg and posted the sixth quickest
time, nearly nine tenths quicker than full-time driver Gabriel Bortoleto and only one second off Mercedes’ Russell. Even if Aron was on low fuel, it was a standout time given Audi have a midfield car. Dino Beganovic drove Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari and spent most of the session testing their new parts before he went eighth, in between the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad. Former IndyCar star and current Formula 2 driver Colton Herta had plenty of attention in his first F1 practice
session for Cadillac. He was visibly pushing hard but finished last of the drivers who set a lap. Britain’s Luke Browning was unable to take part in first practice due to an electrical problem on his Williams, but will return at the next race in Austria. Sky Sports F1’s Barcelona-Catalunya GP schedule Friday June 121.55pm: F3 Qualifying2.50pm: F2 Qualifying3.35pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)*5.30pm: The F1 Show6.30pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference Saturday June 139am: F3 Sprint11.15am: Barcelona-Catalunya GP Practice Three (session starts
at 11.30am)1.10pm: F2 Sprint*2.15pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP Qualifying build-up*3pm: BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GP QUALIFYING*5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook Sunday June 147.35am: F3 Feature Race9.05am: Porsche Supercup10.20am: F2 Feature Race12.30pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*2pm: THE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GRAND PRIX*4pm: Barcelona-Catalunya GP reaction: Chequered Flag5pm: Ted’s Notebook *Also on Sky Sports Main Event Formula 1 is in Spain for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix with live coverage on Sky Sports F1. Sunday’s race starts at 2pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, first practice, Ferrari upgrades, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Paul Aron, Nico Hulkenberg, Luke Browning, Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull, Dino Beganovic, Leonardo Fornaroli, Colton Herta, Cadillac, Williams