McLaren drivers cautious after Friday sweep: ‘Our rivals are fast'

McLaren's Oscar Piastri struck a cautious but confident tone after topping Friday’s second practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, acknowledging that a close contest is looming as teams gauge their relative pace.

Team papaya concluded its opening day of running at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a strong display as Piastri succeeded Lando Norris, who had topped FP1, as the field’s pace-setter.

The Woking-based outfit's robust performance comes amid heightened scrutiny following a new technical directive targeting flexi-wings, which appears to have had little effect on McLaren’s form, or on that of its direct rivals.

Strong Start but Cautious Outlook

Despite the day’s encouraging sessions, Piastri was quick to temper expectations, highlighting the strength of rival outfits heading into qualifying.

“I mean it’s been a bit up and down, ending on an up,” Piastri said.

“Our competitors look quick, I think Verstappen’s been quick all day, Ferrari have been there, Mercedes popped up at the end.

“So yeah, it’s going to be a tight battle tomorrow. But definitely still some things to try and work on.”

When pressed on whether rivals’ pace was surprising, Piastri was his usually pragmatic self.

“Not necessarily, I mean, I think we expected Red Bull to be quick, so that’s not a big surprise, but yeah, just trying to make the car a bit faster, that’s all,” he noted.
“I think we’ve tried a few things today. Some have been good, some have been not so good and we’re learning, so think it’s been a good day.”

Norris Encouraged by Solid Foundation

Fresh from his breakthrough win in Monaco, Lando Norris continued his strong form with a session-topping lap in FP1. While the Briton was less forthcoming about predicting outcomes, he expressed satisfaction with McLaren’s consistent approach.

“Yeah, it’s tiny things,” he said. “I think something we always do very good is turn up with a good baseline and find it difficult to improve from that point onwards, which is a good thing not a bad thing.

“It just allows us to try different directions, try different things and try and get a bit of a feel.”

Read also:

• Piastri vows to keep McLaren rivalry clean: ‘We won’t cross that line’

McLaren’s ability to hit the ground running on Fridays has indeed often been a strength, and in Barcelona, it appears no different.

Yet both drivers remain grounded, knowing that qualifying on Saturday afternoon could swing in any direction with Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes all showing flashes of pace.

Heading into the weekend, the MCL39 looks to be in a strong position – but the McLaren camp is clearly aware that any margin for error is razor-thin.

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