Russell sets pace in first practice at Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 12:44 PM
Last updated Jun 12, 2026
George Russell topped the first practice session at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix on June 12, 2026. Driving for Mercedes, Russell was 0.203 seconds faster than McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who finished second. Charles Leclerc from Ferrari took third place. The session featured six junior drivers as teams are required to field rookies in practice sessions. Russell has faced difficulties in the previous races, being 68 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The second practice session is scheduled later in the day.
- •George Russell is fastest in first practice at Barcelona.
- •Oscar Piastri finishes second, Leclerc third.
- •Session included six junior drivers as required by teams.
- •Russell has struggled in previous races, falling behind in points.
- •Second practice session is later today.
- 1:36 PMESPN F1 — Russell goes quickest in FP1, Piastri second
- 12:56 PMYahoo Sports — Russell tops Barcelona timesheets ahead of Piastri
- 12:43 PMYahoo Sports — F1 Barcelona GP: George Russell tops Barcelona first practice
- 12:43 PMMotorsport.com — F1 Barcelona GP: George Russell tops Barcelona first practice
- 12:41 PMYahoo Sports — Russell fastest in Barcelona first practice
- 12:39 PMBBC Sport — Russell fastest in Barcelona first practice
"Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell topped the first free practice session at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand prix, heading McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc at Montmelo. On a hot Friday afternoon, Russell set a best time of 1m16.363s to head Piastri by two tenths. In a heavily upgraded Ferrari Sf-26, Leclerc was 0.520s behind in third, followed by Red Bull's Max ...Keep reading
"George Russell topped the timesheets in first practice for the Catalunya Formula One Grand Prix on Friday which took place in the absence of several top drivers including his championship leading Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli. Russell clocked 1 minute 16.
"George Russell was fastest in first practice for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix as he got his pivotal weekend off to a flying start.
Sources
External links- ESPN F1Jun 12, 2026, 1:36 PMRussell goes quickest in FP1, Piastri second
Mercedes' George Russell set the pace in the first practice session at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
- Yahoo SportsJun 12, 2026, 12:56 PMRussell tops Barcelona timesheets ahead of Piastri
George Russell topped the timesheets in first practice for the Catalunya Formula One Grand Prix on Friday which took place in the absence of several top drivers including his championship leading Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli. Russell clocked 1 minute 16.
- Yahoo SportsJun 12, 2026, 12:43 PMF1 Barcelona GP: George Russell tops Barcelona first practice
Russell aims to rebound from a disappointing Monaco weekend as he tops FP1 ahead of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
- Motorsport.comJun 12, 2026, 12:43 PMF1 Barcelona GP: George Russell tops Barcelona first practice
Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell topped the first free practice session at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand prix, heading McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc at Montmelo. On a hot Friday afternoon, Russell set a best time of 1m16.363s to head Piastri by two tenths. In a heavily upgraded Ferrari Sf-26, Leclerc was 0.520s behind in third, followed by Red Bull's Max ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJun 12, 2026, 12:41 PMRussell fastest in Barcelona first practice
Mercedes driver George Russell sets the pace from McLaren's Oscar Piastri in first practice at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
- BBC SportJun 12, 2026, 12:39 PMRussell fastest in Barcelona first practice
Mercedes driver George Russell sets the pace from McLaren's Oscar Piastri in first practice at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
- Sky Sports—Russell starts big Barcelona weekend fastest in first practice
George Russell was fastest in first practice for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix as he got his pivotal weekend off to a flying start.
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