Drivers completed their formation lap on a very hot day in Catalonia. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen chose soft compound tires for the start. George Russell commented on the difficult weather during his grid interview, noting Lewis Hamilton’s strong form and the need to recover positions. Lando Norris stated his intent to aim for victory while acknowledging faster rivals. The Spanish national anthem was performed with Spanish and Catalan flags on the circuit. Carlos Sainz lined up 16th for Williams. Fernando Alonso, possibly contesting his final home event, started from the pit lane after being outqualified by his teammate. Track temperatures hit 50C in qualifying. Alonso described his car as having the weakest performance and engine, calling for improvements later in the season. George Russell took pole and expressed renewed confidence after recent setbacks. Kimi Antonelli starts third and holds a large championship lead. The race begins at 2pm BST.
