Mercedes driver George Russell showcased his speed by setting the fastest time in the first practice session at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, clocking in at 0.203 seconds quicker than Oscar Piastri of McLaren.

The session featured notable performances:

• Charles Leclerc from Ferrari finished third.
• Max Verstappen from Red Bull followed closely behind.

This practice session also highlighted a unique aspect of the event, as six junior drivers participated, fulfilling the teams' obligation to include up-and-coming talent in at least two practice sessions each year. Among the junior drivers:

• Leonardo Fornaroli from McLaren impressed by finishing fifth.
• Paul Aron, driving for Audi, was sixth, taking a break from his regular position as an Alpine reserve driver.
• Liam Lawson from Racing Bulls secured seventh place, while his teammate Arvid Lindblad was separated from Dino Beganovic, who drove Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari.