Spanish GP 2019: Schedule and Timings of the Race Weekend

Round 5 of the 2019 Formula One season sees the F1 paddock head to Spain this weekend. The Spanish GP 2019, kickstarts the European leg of the F1 season as Mercedes look to extend their advantage.

As Free practice 1 and 2 concluded, the live timing of the F1 session in Barcelona showed Mercedes on top. Valtteri Bottas took top honours ahead of Lewis Hamilton with the Ferrari duo sandwiched between them.

Close to the end of the Spanish GP 2019 first practice session, Racing Point’s Lance Stroll got acquainted with the walls and halted a few drivers who were on quick lap times. When the chequered flag waved, after the Mercs and Ferraris, Romain Grosjean was the best of the rest. He was followed by Carlos Sainz Jr, Kevin Magnussen, Pierre Gasly, Daniil Kvyat and Nico Hulkenberg, completing the top 10.

Leading the second half of the grid was Daniel Ricciardo, followed by Max Verstappen. The Dutchman had an issue with his car, which hampered his progress. Then came Stroll, inspite of burying his nose in the barrier. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alexander Albon, Lando Norris, Sergio Perez, Kimi Raikkonen, Robert Kubica and George Russell completed the rest of the pack.

When the Spanish GP 2019 practice 2 came around, Bottas sat pretty on top of the pile. However, Hamilton had leapfrogged both Ferrari drivers, while Verstappen resumed his position right on their tail. Once again, Grosjean was king of the hill in the midfield, tailed by Gasly, Magnussen, Sainz and Kvyat.

Propping up the drivers outside the top 10 was Kimi Raikkonen in the Alfa Romeo. The Finnish veteran was followed by Albon, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Norris, Giovinazzi, Perez, Russell and Kubica.

In all honesty, if this is the tone set for the rest of the weekend, fans can expect a Mercedes clean sweep. Also, it will be another nail to the Ferrari coffin, as so far, their much talked about upgrade, does not seem to be yielding any results at the Spanish GP 2019.

On Saturday, Practice 3 starts at 12PM local time and the Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying starts at 3PM local time. Finally, the race on Sunday begins at 3:10PM Circuit Time. From this season onwards, races usually begin 10 minutes late. The idea is that when races begin right on the hour, the tension is missed by broadcasters.