Lando Norris claimed pole for the Spanish Grand Prix, beating Kimi Antonelli by 0.011 seconds with a 1 min 31.824‑second lap.
Flashing finale in Q3
Antonelli improved from a third‑place 1 min 32.140‑second run to a 1 min 31.835‑second best in his second Q3 attempt, gaining ground on his rivals by at least 0.178 seconds. Norris, whose first attempt was 1 min 32.525, seized the top spot with a clear 0.011‑second advantage.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the moment felt “gained” rather than a lost opportunity, noting that the team had not expected such a comeback on the circuit’s new layout.
Team perspectives and race outlook
Wolff added that the pole shift surprised the Mercedes setup, stressing how Norris’s ability to manage rear‑axle overheating had made the difference. He said the driver’s performance was “flawless” in the changing heat conditions.
McLaren had been markedly slower than Mercedes in practice and earlier qualifying stages, a fact that added to the surprise.
On race strategy, Wolff emphasized avoiding crashes to keep within the cost cap, preserving points against Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, and aiming for a podium finish ahead of Hamilton. He noted Hamilton’s 76‑point deficit to Antonelli and George Russell’s 10‑point lead over Antonelli, framing the contest in a broader title context.
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
With the new track layout and the team’s shifting fortunes, the next races will test whether Mercedes can maintain its momentum and counter McLaren’s growing threat from Lando Norris.
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