Following each Grand Prix, we present the RaceReport, offering you an exclusive and playful digital recap of the race weekend. Reporters Gerard Bos and Gwen Kleverlaan bring you up to speed from Barcelona!
HOPE FOR TURNAROUND FADES
The 2025 season, the year in which Max Verstappen is chasing his fifth world title. But it’s far from easy. McLaren is leading the pack with Oscar Piastri – the current World Championship leader – and Lando Norris close behind him in P2. And Verstappen? He’s currently facing a significant deficit.
Early in the season, Max Verstappen’s fans were eagerly anticipating the Spanish Grand Prix. That was supposed to be the turning point. New technical guidelines – including stricter controls on flexi-wings – and long-awaited upgrades to the RB21 were expected to turn the tide. There was even talk of a possible power shift in the championship.
But that hope now seems far off. Verstappen qualifies in third place, facing a substantial gap to both McLarens. There’s no sign of a turnaround yet. However, the four-time world champion remains optimistic. With a completely different strategy on Sunday, he tries to engage in the battle. “We’re not giving up,” he says – but the reality is that Red Bull is losing ground again.
“So the question arises: what can Max Verstappen fans still hope for? Perhaps Zandvoort at the end of August? One thing is certain: there is no shortage of support. The Costa Brava is teeming with Red Bull fans this weekend. Cheerful, loud, and full of confidence. Even on the bus to the circuit, the atmosphere is relaxed on Sunday morning. “You never know what can happen,” sounds hopeful. By the end of the day, that hope has evaporated, especially after such a result.
Personally, with the rest of the season in mind, I’m not very optimistic. The gap to McLaren seems to be growing. But what else can you do as a Verstappen fan? Keep hoping. For a miracle.”
Highlights from Spain
Max’s Quote of the Day
“We ran out of soft tires towards the end of the race because we made three pit stops. That’s just bad luck. Before that, things were looking up for us, we didn’t have the pace of the McLarens, but at least we could put some pressure on them. They had to speed up. The safety car came out at an inconvenient time, but that’s part of racing.”
Top & Flop
Nico Hülkenberg delivers an outstanding performance in Spain, finishing fifth with the worst car on the field. Yuki Tsunoda, despite having one of the fastest cars in Formula 1, only manages to secure the thirteenth spot. It’s a stark contrast between the two drivers at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Highlight: Nico Hülkenberg
Nico Hülkenberg stole the show in Barcelona with an impressive fifth place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix. Not only did he secure crucial points for Sauber – their first result since Australia this year – but he also pulled his team up from the bottom of the constructors’ championship. The 37-year-old German drove a smart and daring race, even going head-to-head with none other than Lewis Hamilton. Ultimately, Hülkenberg benefited from a time penalty for Max Verstappen and moved up to fifth place. A well-deserved reward for a weekend where everything fell into place. Sauber may be having a tough season, often seen as the underdog on the grid, but with this performance, Hülkenberg proves that with experience, fighting spirit, and a bit of luck, there’s still plenty to play for in Formula 1. What a race!
Disappointment: Yuki Tsunoda
Being Max Verstappen’s teammate is no easy task – as Yuki Tsunoda is currently experiencing. In Barcelona, he qualified in twentieth and last place, complaining about the floor of his Red Bull. While Verstappen started from third place, Tsunoda again struggled to make an impression. Since taking over Liam Lawson‘s seat, the Japanese driver has been lagging behind his teammate, and it’s noticeable. Calls for a replacement are growing louder, especially as Isack Hadjar is impressing in the sister team. Yet, for now, Red Bull remains loyal. Christian Horner expressed his confidence, and even Verstappen defended his colleague, stating, “He’s no pushover.” But in Formula 1, results are what count. And with a 13th place finish and zero points in Spain, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Tsunoda to truly secure his place within the team. The clock is ticking.
Behind the Scenes
A glimpse behind the scenes at the Spanish Grand Prix!
Results of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix
Please note that the image and its caption have been removed as per the instructions.
GP Spain: Piastri Extends Lead, Time Penalty for Furious Verstappen
Other Highlights from Barcelona…
The provided content does not contain any text or headings in [source language] to be translated into English. The content consists of HTML code for images and layout elements, which are not part of the main article content. Therefore, there is no translated and optimized article content to output.”In collaboration with Automobilist.com, an official partner of Formula 1, several luxury posters are being given away this season – true works of art! This time, it’s special posters of Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher! (both 50×70 centimeters, valued at 99 euros)”
Three Questions for… Oliver Bearman
Ollie Bearman looks ahead to the race weekend in Barcelona, where he previously found success in Formula 2. We talk to him about the circuit, the performance of his car after eight races, and he shares his candid opinion on the Monaco Grand Prix.
Ollie, you won the F2 main race here a few years ago. What do you think of the Barcelona circuit?
“Yes, it’s really a cool circuit. I think we drivers have driven the most laps here, because there’s so much testing. The winter tests and preparations for the season almost always take place in Barcelona. So for most of us, it feels like coming home to a track where we have a lot of experience. It’s also just a fun track to drive on. With the new third sector, it’s now much nicer than when there was a chicane in it. I had a good race here in Formula 2, a few years back. I don’t think we can just repeat that, but hopefully it will be a good weekend.”
Assessing Car Performance: Insights from Eight Races and Expectations for the Weekend
“To be honest, I’m still somewhat in the dark. The weekends we thought would be challenging actually went quite well, and vice versa. Therefore, it’s difficult to make accurate predictions with this car. What we have done, however, is introduce a new upgrade in Imola. Now, we need to see how it performs in fast corners, as Imola is not as fast as Barcelona. If we can get that under control and the performance is good, it could turn out to be another strong weekend.”
Reflecting on Last Week: Would Monaco be Suitable as a Sprint Event with Two Qualifying Sessions?
“I don’t think much needs to change. It has never been anything other than what it is now. If you look at the statistics, Monaco has never been known for a lot of overtaking, and that hasn’t changed. It’s simply not a track where the race itself is exciting. People need to accept that the magic of Monaco lies in Saturday’s qualifying. The race itself is almost always dull, with such a narrow street circuit. And with the current, large cars, that doesn’t change. Smaller cars would help, but it wouldn’t solve everything. Twenty, thirty years ago, it was the same: hardly any overtaking. The fun lies in the qualifying – that’s why it’s all the more important to perform well there. It prevents you from getting stuck in the train.”
Formula 1 Podcast
‘Verstappen Had a Blur in His Vision’ | Paddock Talk Update
Together with reporter Gerard Bos, we look back at the eventful Spanish Grand Prix from Barcelona. Oscar Piastri wins the race, but hardly anyone in the paddock is talking about that now. The focus is, of course, on Max Verstappen‘s actions in the final stages of the race and the penalties the Red Bull driver received for them. We also discuss Yuki Tsunoda’s disastrous weekend and end on a positive note: Fernando Alonso‘s first points!
Next Grand Prix: Canada
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
“After the European round in Spain, the Formula 1 circus crosses the Atlantic Ocean for the Canadian Grand Prix. The tenth race of the 2025 season is scheduled at the iconic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. The semi-street circuit, known for its high speeds and the infamous ‘Wall of Champions’, promises to be another spectacular race weekend. Below is the full schedule for the 2025 Canadian GP.
Schedule for the 2025 Canadian GP
Friday, June 13
- First free practice: 17:30 – 18:30 UTC
- Second free practice: 21:00 – 22:00 UTC
Saturday, June 14
- Third free practice: 16:30 – 17:30 UTC
- Qualification: 20:00 – 21:00 UTC
Sunday, June 15
- Race: 18:00 UTC
“
