Russell sets pace in first practice at Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
11 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 13, 2026, 3:34 PM
Last updated Jun 13, 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.
- 4:49 PMESPN — Russell edges out Hamilton for pole; Antonelli thi...
- 12:55 PMESPN F1 — Mercedes' Russell sets the pace in final practice
- 12:37 PMESPN F1 — Mercedes' Russell goes quickest in final practice
- 11:41 AMYahoo Sports — Russell ahead in final Barcelona practice as Antonelli frustrated
- 1:36 PMESPN F1 — Russell goes quickest in FP1, Piastri second
- 12:56 PMYahoo Sports — Russell tops Barcelona timesheets ahead of Piastri
- 12:43 PMMotorsport.com — F1 Barcelona GP: George Russell tops Barcelona first practice
- 12:43 PMYahoo Sports — F1 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
"Mercedes driver George Russell was fastest in final practice in Barcelona, with a Mercedes v McLaren shoot-out likely in qualifying later on Saturday. Russell, who won the first grand prix of the season in Australia before team-mate Kimi Antonelli won the next five, was 0.
"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.
Sources
External links- ESPNJun 13, 2026, 4:49 PMRussell edges out Hamilton for pole; Antonelli thi...
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- ESPN F1Jun 13, 2026, 12:55 PMMercedes' Russell sets the pace in final practice
George Russell got the better of championship leader Kimi Antonelli to lead the way in final practice before qualifying at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
- ESPN F1Jun 13, 2026, 12:37 PMMercedes' Russell goes quickest in final practice
Mercedes' George Russell has topped the timesheets in the final practice session at this weekend's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
- Yahoo SportsJun 13, 2026, 11:41 AMRussell ahead in final Barcelona practice as Antonelli frustrated
Mercedes driver George Russell was fastest in final practice in Barcelona, with a Mercedes v McLaren shoot-out likely in qualifying later on Saturday. Russell, who won the first grand prix of the season in Australia before team-mate Kimi Antonelli won the next five, was 0.
- 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.
- 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, 12:43 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
- 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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