Andrew Benson

1 week ago | bbc.co.uk | Andrew Benson

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lando Norris is three points behind team-mate Oscar Piastri, who leads the drivers' championship F1 correspondent at the Circuit de Barcelona-CatalunyaMcLaren's Lando Norris headed Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice at the Spanish Grand Prix. Norris, winner in Monaco five days ago, was 0.367 seconds quicker than Verstappen as teams come to terms with new front wings forced upon them by a rule change for this race.

1 week ago | bbc.co.uk | Andrew Benson

Both he and McLaren team boss Andrea Stella, though, were reluctant to call this a definitive breakthrough. After qualifying, Norris said it was "definitely a step in the right direction". After the race, Stella said: "Lando deserves to be praised for a very, very well-managed and executed weekend. And I think this is just the start of many more coming in the future. "I don't want to think about a turning point.

1 week ago | bbc.co.uk | Andrew Benson

Norris added: "Overtaking has never been good in Monaco, ever. So, I don't know why people have such a high expectation. But I also think Formula 1 should not turn into just a show to entertain people. It's a sport. It's who can race the best, who can qualify the best. "Everything was about yesterday. That's the way it's been since whatever the first year – 50, 60 years ago.

2 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Andrew Benson

Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Charles Leclerc, who is from Monaco, won last year's grand prix for Ferrari Charles Leclerc set the pace in first practice at the Monaco Grand Prix, despite consistently complaining about the behaviour of his Ferrari. Leclerc, who won his home race for the first time last year, said at various times that Ferrari were "nowhere" and that there was "something wrong with the car". But he ended the session 0.163 seconds ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

2 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Andrew Benson

Image source, ReutersImage caption, Oscar Piastri has won four of the seven grands prix so far in 2025Oscar Piastri might just be the coolest Formula 1 driver there has ever been. The Australian exudes a sense of calmness that seems to permeate his entire being. He doesn't criticise his rivals. He doesn't shout on the team radio. He doesn't really do controversy. This quality has been notable since he made his debut in F1, just over two years ago.