Piastri Takes Pole Ahead of Norris in Spain
Oscar Piastri Claims Sensational Pole at Spanish Grand Prix Ahead of McLaren Teammate Norris
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri delivered a stunning lap to secure his maiden Formula 1 pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix, edging out teammate Lando Norris by 0.209 seconds in a thrilling qualifying session.
Norris, who had led after the initial Q3 runs with a small advantage — aided by a slipstream from Piastri — faltered on his final attempt with small errors in Turns 1 and 4, missing the opportunity to reclaim the top spot.
Despite the mistake, the Brit acknowledged the pace was there, saying: “The pace was easily good enough, just a couple of little squiggles.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will start third, just 0.302 seconds off Piastri. Though he matched Mercedes’ George Russell to the thousandth of a second, Verstappen starts ahead by virtue of setting his time first.
The Dutchman struggled through Turn 1 and experimented with tyre prep, which didn’t pay off.
Lewis Hamilton outqualified Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc for only the second time this season, securing fifth ahead of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli.
Leclerc, hampered by a strategic tyre limitation in qualifying, ended up seventh and said his early Q3 run made the session “tricky.”
The top 10 was rounded out by Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who briefly climbed to fifth before being pushed down in the final runs.
Alonso praised the car’s upgrades, though acknowledged the car remains a handful to drive.
Teammate Lance Stroll, who missed the weigh bridge after Q2, faces a stewards’ investigation.
Piastri’s pole — the biggest margin over Verstappen so far this season — defies concerns that new FIA regulations targeting front-wing flex might slow McLaren.
The result highlights the team’s growing strength on medium- and high-speed circuits.
“Amazing weekend so far,” Piastri said. “We didn’t start well, but today the car felt mega. This result shows we’re still in the fight.”
As the grid lines up for Sunday’s race, all eyes will be on whether Piastri can convert his breakthrough pole into his first F1 victory.
Piastri Takes Pole Ahead of Norris in Spain