Confirmations and surprises from Friday free practice at Montmelò, with Ferrari succeeding once again in setting the best times of the two sessions - one-two in the morning with Leclerc-Sainz, then a new sharp from the Monegasque - and the Mercedes that reappear with good sensations in the top positions, placing George Russell and Lewis Hamilton between the two Reds in the afternoon, with Max Verstappen immediately behind with the fifth time.
Sunday's GP of Barcelona is highly anticipated because many teams have brought various technical innovations to Catalonia, especially aerodynamics, which in their respective hopes should improve or reverse what had been achieved in the previous five races.
"We are here with an upgrade, with updates and we will see how it goes", Leclerc said in the press conference,
that at the end of the day, if he can be satisfied with his performance in qualifying set-up, he will have understood that he is less dominant in race set-up.
"Our laps in the qualifying configuration were not bad but we have a lot to do on tire management and race pace," he commented.
His SF-75 set the absolute best time of the day with 1'19 "670, ahead of George Russell's Mercedes by a tenth of a second and Lewis Hamilton's car by two, with Carlos Sainz fourth to three tenths of a second with the second Red Bull. Verstappen's Red Bull remained close (+0.336), and Fernando Alonso's Alpine (+0.533) a little further behind. Seventh time for Sergio Perez with the other Red Bull, the last to keep just below the second is the gap from Leclerc.
What emerged later in the long run tests will have raised the antennas in the box of the Cavallino, given that the Red Bulls, but also the Mercedes, showed decidedly high rates that could make Sunday's race even more uncertain.
"We have not sensational updates, especially on weight reduction - explained Verstappen, winner of the last two races -. Here it is difficult to overtake, so my goal is to start from the front but the important thing is to find the right balance and there is work to do on the flying lap. Here it's difficult for the tires, but at least we know the weather will be constant ".
Russel dampened easy enthusiasm about the W13, recalling that "in Miami on Fridays we were the fastest, then we went back in qualifying. However the car is reacting differently. We have different limits,
this time.
Certainly there is no porpoising on the straight, and it is good news, but every now and then we find it in the corners and we have to adapt to this, "said the British driver, who once again managed to stay ahead of his compatriot Hamilton.
