Piastri Beats Norris to Pole in Dramatic McLaren Lockout at Spanish Grand Prix

Oscar Piastri pulled off a stunning last-lap turnaround to seize the Spanish GP pole position for the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix (GP), besting McLaren teammate Lando Norris by over two-tenths of a second in a nail-biting Qualifying finale. The Australian’s blistering 1:11.546 lap not only secured his fourth pole of the season but capped off a perfect Saturday for McLaren, who locked out the front row in dominant fashion.

The Spanish GP session marked yet another milestone in Oscar Piastri’s breakout season. After trailing Lando Norris in the initial Q3 runs, the championship leader delivered under pressure, clocking the fastest lap of the weekend and leaving his teammate to settle for P2. The final margin—0.209s—was decisive, especially on a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult.

“It’s been a good weekend so far,” said a beaming Oscar Piastri post-session. “Didn’t start off in the best way, but the team found something last night. Today, the car was mega.”

Lando Norris, who had briefly held provisional pole after benefiting from a tow from Oscar Piastri, couldn’t quite replicate his earlier pace. A scruffy final sector cost him dearly as he crossed the line, visibly frustrated.

Behind the papaya one-two, Max Verstappen continued to show consistency in his Red Bull, matching Mercedes’ George Russell’s time to the thousandth (1:11.848). However, since Max Verstappen set the fastest lap, he will start third, relegating Russell to P4.

Lewis Hamilton put in a solid performance for Ferrari to round out the top five, ahead of Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes and Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. Pierre Gasly delivered a standout lap to place eighth for Alpine, while Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and hometown hero Fernando Alonso completed the top ten.

Among those to miss out on Q3 was Alex Albon, who narrowly missed the cut by just 0.03s. The Williams driver expressed frustration after being blocked by a slow-moving Haas. In contrast, rookie Gabriel Bortoleto (P12) continued to impress in his debut season with Kick Sauber.

Drama unfolded in Q1 as fan favourite Carlos Sainz exited early in 18th at his home Grand Prix. A pit lane issue for Alpine’s Franco Colapinto also left him stranded in P19, while Yuki Tsunoda had a nightmare session, ending up dead last for Red Bull.

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The high track temperatures, topping 48°C, added an extra layer of challenge for teams and drivers. But in the face of brutal conditions and fierce competition, it was Oscar Piastri who rose to the occasion, delivering a statement lap that could shift the momentum of the season.

As the grid sets for Sunday’s showdown in Barcelona, all eyes are on the McLaren duo. Can Oscar Piastri convert pole into victory, or will Norris and Verstappen mount a counterattack? The battle at the front has never been hotter.