MONTMELO, Spain (AP) — Here's a guide that tells you what you need to know about Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. It's the ninth round of Formula 1.
How to watch the Spanish Grand Prix on TV
— In the U.S., on ESPN.
— Other countries are listed here.
What is the Spanish Grand Prix schedule?
— Sunday: Spanish Grand Prix, 66 laps of the 4.6-kilometer (2.9-mile) Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. It starts at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. EDT / 1300 GMT).
Where is the Spanish Grand Prix taking place?
After the slow and twisty Monaco circuit, F1 is back to full speed at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The first corner at the end of long start-finish straight is the best of relatively few opportunities to overtake. The circuit is under contract with F1 for another year but its long-term future is uncertain because a new track in Madrid joins the calendar next year. Max Verstappen has won the Spanish Grand Prix for Red Bull in the last three seasons.
What does the starting grid look like?
Oscar Piastri took pole position right ahead of McLaren partner Lando Norris. Max Verstappen will start from third and need a massive performance or a collapse by the McLarens to keep his winning run going. George Russell will start fourth for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton in fifth for Ferrari.
What happened in the last race?
Lando Norris won the Monaco Grand Prix for his first victory since the season-opening race in Australia in March and closed in on his teammate and standings leader Oscar Piastri. Norris won from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with Piastri third and defending champion Max Verstappen fourth. Piastri's lead is three points ahead of Norris and 25 ahead of Verstappen.
What do I need to know about F1
so far?
Get caught up:
— Piastri earns pole position at Spanish GP ahead of McLaren teammate Norris
— Are we nearing the end of Barcelona’s run as an F1 city? Madrid addition puts race in doubt
— McLaren’s Piastri and Norris out to break Verstappen’s hold on Spanish Grand Prix
— Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin’s big bet on 2026 season weighs heavily on his future
— A mundane Monaco? Drivers debate attempt to spice up F1's classic race
— Meet the Madring: New Formula 1 circuit in Madrid gets a name
Key stats
170 — If Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri qualify on pole position Saturday, it would be McLaren's 170th pole. Only Ferrari has more, with 253.
28 — Mercedes' 28-race streak of scoring points in each Grand Prix ended with George Russell placing 11th and Kimi Antonelli 18th in Monaco.
9 — For only the third time in his career, two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin heads into the ninth race of a season without a point. It also happened in 2015 and in his 2001 rookie season.
What they're saying
“We were lacking all weekend compared to them. I’m here, squeezing everything out of the car." — Max Verstappen.
“If you think it’s just out of me and Oscar, then I think you’re a bit silly. We’re racing Max every weekend. He’s been on the podium several times. He’s won races.” — Lando Norris.
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The Associated Press
