Training for the Spanish Grand Prix was dominated by Mercedes stars

The first training for the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix was dominated by Mercedes drivers. Valtteri Bottas took first place on the circuit in Barcelona with a lead of 39,000ths ahead of his teammate and lead driver of the World Championship standings, Lewis Hamilton (pictured).

Pool, Reuters

Max Verstappen took third place in Friday’s introductory practice, ending Mercedes’ invincibility in the previous race so far this season. The Red Bull driver on Bottas, who was relegated from second place to the triumph at Silverstone, lost almost a second.

Ferrari finished Charles Leclerc in fourth place, followed by his teammate Sebastian Vettel. For the four-time world champion, who came to Barcelona with a new chassis, it was a significant improvement in the results so far.

The sixth was Romain Grosjean from Haas and the seventh was Sergio Pérez, who missed the previous two races due to a positive coronavirus test. The driver of the Racing Point stable received permission to return on Thursday after a negative test and lagged behind Bottas by 1.7 seconds.

“I am glad that I have already done it. It was difficult, I could not leave the room for ten days,” said Pérez. “I could exercise in the room because fortunately I didn’t have any significant symptoms. I just had a headache and on day two I felt very tired,” the Mexican pilot added.

Second training for Hamilton

In Friday’s second practice, Hamilton was the fastest ahead of his teammate Bottas. Australian Ricciardo and Renault were among the elite six when he was fourth.