F1 Spanish Grand Prix third practice LIVE: Stream, start time UK, TV channel, Hamilton nabs quickest time at Practice 2
F1 is BACK this weekend as Lewis Hamilton aims for a third win in four races at the Spanish Grand Prix starting with today's first practice.
The Englishman has been bested just once this season, by Max Verstappen at the Emilia Romagna GP in March.
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What channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
- ALL of the F1 action from Friday to Sunday will be shown live on the Sky Sports F1 channel.
- First practice coverage will begin from 10am on Friday, May 7.
- Coverage of the Grand Prix will begin at 12.30pm on Sunday, May 9.
- You can live stream all of the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go app, both of which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
FULL F1 Spanish Grand Prix schedule
Friday, May 7
- Spanish GP Practice One – 10.30am
- Spanish GP Practice Two – 2pm
Saturday, May 8
- Spanish GP Practice Three – 11am
- Spanish GP Qualifying – 2pm
Sunday, May 9
- Spanish Grand Prix – 2pm
Stay up to date with all the latest from Barcelona in our live blog…
- Joshua Jones
GOOD MORNING F1 FANS
Lewis Hamilton is gearing up in the hope of taking pole position at today’s Qualifying session in Barcelona.
The Brit finished top of practice yesterday for the Spain GP, recording a time of 1:18:170 in FP2.
Hamilton finished just over a tenth ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc not far behind in third.
Qualifying starts at 2pm this afternoon and you can follow everything here on SunSport’s live F1 blog.
Friday was a good day for Hamilton elsewhere, too.
His willingness to show athletes can lead on issues outside sport was honoured by a prestigious trophy at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
F1 King Ham was edged out for the Sportsman of the Year prize by Spain’s tennis ace Rafa Nadal.
But he did manage to pick up the Athlete Advocate of the Year Award for his firm and outspoken support for racial justice.
Hamilton said: “This past year has been incredibly difficult for so many, but it has also been heartening to see the power of our collective voices spark new conversations and change.
“The impact of each and every one of you who have stood up, is so inspiring, so I want to thank you. Please keep fighting, keep shining your light.”
Finally, Hamilton’s teammate Bottas has insisted he is under no pressure amid speculation of his Mercedes seat being under threat.
The Finn has been backed by Hamilton and said: “I know that I'm not going to be replaced in the middle of the season.
"As a team, we don't do that. I have a contract for this year and I think there's only one team that does that kind of thing in F1 and we're not that [team].
"So no pressure from my side and I know how things are. There's always bulls*** around, that's part of the sport."
- Anthony Chapman
TIME TO SHINE
Next stop is tomorrow's Qualifying session for Lewis Hamilton and Co.
An exciting day of practice saw the Brit finish top of the pile.
Can he make it count on Saturday and grab pole position in Spain?
- Anthony Chapman
HAM A FAN
Lewis Hamilton seems to be enjoying the increased competition this year – even though his crown could be threatened.
- Anthony Chapman
SCHOOL OF THE WOLFF
Toto Wolff has made it clear he won't be chopping and changing strategies this season…
- Anthony Chapman
LEW THE MAN
Lewis Hamilton’s willingness to show athletes can lead on issues outside sport has been honoured by a prestigious trophy at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
F1 King Ham was edged out for the Sportsman of the Year prize by Spain’s tennis ace Rafa Nadal.
But he did manage to pick up the Athlete Advocate of the Year Award for his firm and outspoken support for racial justice.
Hamilton said: “This past year has been incredibly difficult for so many, but it has also been heartening to see the power of our collective voices spark new conversations and change.
“The impact of each and every one of you who have stood up, is so inspiring, so I want to thank you. Please keep fighting, keep shining your light.”
Lewis Hamilton collects his award during the virtual ceremony - Anthony Chapman
WINNER TAKES IT ALL
So another mouth-watering battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen awaits.
Can the Brit make it another win in defence of his crown on Sunday?
- Anthony Chapman
SAINZ OF THE TIMES
Carlos Sainz looked to be enjoying himself in his home country in Friday's practice.
- Anthony Chapman
WHEELY GOOD
This is sure to soothe the soul of any racing fan before a big weekend of action in Barcelona.
- Anthony Chapman
REVVING UP
It was a bumpy ride for Yuki Tsunoda in Barcelona today!
- Anthony Chapman
LEW ARE YA?
Valtteri Bottas gave Lewis Hamilton a close run for his money today.
And there is all to race for in tomorrow's qualifying session.
- Anthony Chapman
FER REAL
Can Ferrari close the gap this weekend?
- Anthony Chapman
WHERE THEY CAME
Lewis Hamilton impressed again during practice for the Spanish Grand Prix.
- Marc Mayo
TOP TEN IN FP2
1. HAM – 1:18.170
2. BOT – Just over a tenth off
3. LEC – More evidence of Ferrari pace
4. OCO
5. ALO – Alpine looking strong
6. GAS – Most laps (32), joint with Lewis
7. TSU
8. SAI
9. VER – Six tenths off but time was on Medium tyre as Softs run ruined, ended with damaged front wing.
10. PER – Behind his team-mate despite getting Soft hot lap in.Credit: AP - Marc Mayo
CHEQUERED FLAG
That is time for Friday's track time ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix!
Lewis Hamilton cruises home in the Mediums to end his race run but there was some heavy graining on his right-rear tyre on his later laps – likewise Sergio Perez.
But the hot laps on the Softs in the first half of FP2 have left the Brit on top, followed by Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc.
- Marc Mayo
FINAL FIVE
Fernando Alonso radioing back to the Alpine garage complaining of 'oversteer' but the Spaniard is sitting pretty in fifth.
And Pierre Gasly, in sixth, is warned of wind picking up across the track.
Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton averaging times in the mid 1m 22s to lead the race-pace timesheet.
- Marc Mayo
GIMME ME FUEL GIMME FIRE
While we know the tyres being deployed by each car, we do not know the exact amount of fuel loaded into each car at this stage.
And the teams appear to have all filled up for practice race runs around Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya.
Credit: Getty - Marc Mayo
TURNAROUND
Plenty of quick cars hanging further back than expected with 20 minutes to go.
Daniel Ricciardo is 15th with McLaren team-mate Lando Norris 12th, and the Red Bulls are ninth and 10th.
It is currently the Alpines and AlphaTauris making the most of that opening, all four of which are in the top seven.
- Marc Mayo
SLOW BURNER
Sergio Perez was 16th but is still seven-tenths off Lewis Hamilton as he goes 10th.
Like Max Verstappen, Sector 1 was his slowest part of the track before gathering momentum later on.
Most of the pack appear to be doing the opposite – a deliberate strategy perhaps?
- Marc Mayo
TOP TEN AT HALFWAY
1. HAM
2. BOT
3. LEC
4. OCO
5. ALO
6. GAS
7. SAI
8. VER
9. TSU
10. VETCredit: AP - Marc Mayo
FLYING DUTCHMAN
Max Verstappen, on the Softs, runs wide and tickles the gravel at Turn 10 to cancel his hot lap.
Meanwhile Nikita Mazepin and Kimi Raikkonen come out of their garages right at the same moment and almost trip over each other.
- Marc Mayo
GETTING FASTER
The battle for third is on with the Soft compound plugged in for the midfield runners.
Charles Leclerc puts his Ferrari behind the Mercs and ahead of Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly.
No sign of the Red Bulls on the quickest tyres just yet.
- Marc Mayo
TSUNODA PROBLEM
Yuki Tsunoda has lost power after flying over a kerb at Turn 9 – the same area Carlos Sainz broke some bodywork on.
It looks like the vibrations cut his electronics and he's crawled back to the pits.
- Marc Mayo
BACK UNDERWAY
In the meantime, Valtteri Bottas has pushed into first on another hot lap after a brief interlude behind Max Verstappen.
The Finn puts in a 1:18.419 but Lewis Hamilton is right on his tail in second, 0.042 behind.
Then it's three-tenths back to Max Verstappen with the Alpines fourth and fifth.
- Marc Mayo
VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR
A piece of shrapnel has pinged off Carlos Sainz's front wing as he ran over a kerb.
And the stewards are slowing down the pack to allow it to be retrieved.
- Marc Mayo
MERCS FIRST UP
The Mercedes cars have been much quicker than Red Bull to hammer in hot laps during practice sessions recently.
Valtteri Bottas puts in an early time which Lewis Hamilton comes in just behind, but neither driver is in the 1m 18s yet.
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