Russell Shines in Barcelona as Antonelli Skips FP1 Session
WHO:
racingnews365.com - Kimi Antonelli is a driver competing in the F1 season.
racingnews365.com - George Russell is a driver for Mercedes.
racingnews365.com - Lewis Hamilton is a competitor in the F1 standings.
racingnews365.com - Lando Norris is also participating in the practice session.
WHAT:
racingnews365.com - The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix is the first grand prix to be hosted in Barcelona after the circuit lost the official Spanish GP title to the new Madring.
Sportskeeda - This weekend's race is potentially the last iteration of the F1 Barcelona GP at Montmeló.
The Race - McLaren's new front wing, which was not used in the previous two races, is reportedly working much better at Barcelona.
The Race - Lando Norris finished Free Practice 2 with a time of 1m 16.452s, just 0.057s ahead of George Russell and Oscar Piastri.
The Race - Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord stated that Friday's running offered probably the lowest grip experienced at Barcelona during a race weekend.
racingnews365.com - The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix is being hosted for the first time after the Barcelona circuit lost the official Spanish GP title to the new Madring.
Sportskeeda - This weekend's race is potentially the last iteration of the F1 Barcelona GP at Montmeló.
racingnews365.com - The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix is the seventh round of the 2026 F1 season.
racingnews365.com - Kimi Antonelli is seeking his sixth consecutive grand prix win.
racingnews365.com - Antonelli has a 66-point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the championship standings.
racingnews365.com - The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will be hosted on a rotational deal with the Belgian GP at Spa.
WHERE:
racingnews365.com - The event is taking place at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit.
WHEN:
racingnews365.com - The new Madring will debut in September.
racingnews365.com - The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will be held in even-numbered years up to and including 2032.
WHY:
racingnews365.com - The Barcelona circuit lost the official Spanish GP title to the new Madring.
HOW:
The Race - Pirelli has provided softer tyre compounds for Barcelona, with the C2 as hard, C3 as medium, and C4 as soft, to encourage more pitstops and make the hard tyre a viable option in strategies.
Sportskeeda - In Free Practice 2, Lando Norris finished fastest, with a time of 1m 16.452s, just 0.057s ahead of George Russell and Oscar Piastri.
racingnews365.com - The first practice session (FP1) is a 60-minute event where rookie drivers are participating.
(UPDATED June 12, 2026 23:24 UTC)
The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix marks a significant moment as it is the first grand prix hosted in Barcelona since the circuit lost the official Spanish GP title to the new Madring, and this weekend's race could be the last iteration of the F1 Barcelona GP at Montmeló. McLaren's new front wing, which had not been used in the previous two races, is reportedly performing much better at this circuit, with Lando Norris finishing Free Practice 2 with a time of 1 minute 16.452 seconds, just ahead of George Russell and Oscar Piastri. Additionally, Pirelli has introduced softer tyre compounds for this race, aiming to encourage more pitstops and make the hard tyre a viable option in race strategies.
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(UPDATED June 12, 2026 21:33 UTC)
The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix is making its debut, taking place at the Barcelona circuit, which recently lost the official Spanish GP title to the new Madring. This weekend's race could be the final edition of the F1 Barcelona GP at Montmeló, adding to the significance of the event. In Free Practice 2, Lando Norris clocked the fastest time at 1 minute 16.452 seconds, narrowly beating George Russell and Oscar Piastri by just 0.057 seconds.
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(UPDATED June 12, 2026 17:57 UTC)
Kimi Antonelli is competing in the F1 season and is currently aiming for his sixth consecutive grand prix win at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, which is the seventh round of the 2026 season. He holds a significant 66-point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the championship standings, while George Russell and Lando Norris are also participating in the practice session at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will be held in even-numbered years up to and including 2032, as the circuit transitions to a rotational deal with the Belgian GP at Spa following the loss of the official Spanish GP title to the new Madring, set to debut in September.