Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - Saturday, May 31, 2025. McLaren's Oscar Piastri celebrates after qualifying in pole position with second placed McLaren's Lando Norris and third placed Red Bull's Max Verstappen -- Photo: REUTERS/Juan Medina
BARCELONA (dpa): Championship leader Oscar Piastri conjured up a fantastic lap to beat McLaren team-mate Lando Norris and take pole position for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix.
The Australian was a mere 0.017 seconds behind Norris after his first flying lap in Q3, but put up a strong performance in his second attempt to clock 1 minute 11.546 seconds and claim his fourth pole of the season.
Norris, who had benefited from a little tow from Piastri in the first lap, finished 0.209 behind Piastri. The Red Bull of four-time defending champion Max Verstappen completed the top three, 0.302 off the pace.
Following Norris' win in Monaco last weekend, Piastri retained his lead in the standings, but only three points ahead of his team-mate.
McLaren have dominated the season, with Piastri winning four and Norris two of the eight races so far. Verstappen is the only non-McLaren driver to claim victory at a grand prix this year, having won in Japan and Imola. - dpa
