At a track that has been part of F1 history for more than three decades, the future of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the sport may be uncertain as the Spanish Grand Prix heads to Madrid in 2026.
However, with fast corners, close calls and some classic midfield battles, it was all on the menu in Barcelona as Ollie wrapped up his third race in as many weeks.
Practice
Friday started reasonably strong for Ollie. He ended FP1 seventh fastest overall - and third quickest in the corners - a stat that says a lot about his growing confidence and composure in high-speed, technical sections.
A trip through the gravel in FP2 gave the team and fans alike a brief scare, but he kept the car in one piece and was back in the garage within a few minutes. In FP3, a wheel hit the gravel once more during a ‘flying lap’, disrupting his pace and meaning he was unable to improve on his P18 placement.
Qualifying
Ollie’s pace was enough to see him through to the second qualifying session and he qualified in fifteenth place.
With Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll ruled out of Sunday’s race with injury, Ollie started the Grand Prix in P14. Often, if a driver sits out, the team can use a reserve driver, however, that replacement driver must also compete in Qualifying. Since Stroll had competed in the session, Aston Martin could not replace him for the race, resulting in a grid spot promotion for Ollie.
The Race
On a track where no McLaren had won since the day Ollie was born (back in May 2005), Sunday’s race was all about the midfield jostling. After getting a clean start, Ollie pitted early on Lap 9, rejoining in P17 with medium compound tyres and climbing as high as P11 by Lap 24.
He hovered on the cusp of points for much of the race, navigating traffic and avoiding a collision when Liam Lawson clipped the back of his Haas on Lap 32, prompting an investigation. Despite the potential chaos, Ollie kept his head down and kept the points in his sights.
Ollie pitted again on Lap 37, rejoining in P16. On Lap 50, Ollie was back in P12 with the points in touching distance. However, when Liam Lawson attempted an overtake and Ollie moved to defend the position, he ended up going off track and gaining an advantage - meaning he needed to give the gained place back when he was noted by race control.
When giving the space back, Fernando Alonso also seized the opportunity to gain track position, dropping Ollie down to P13. A late Safety Car threw in a final twist and when racing got underway once more, Ollie was handed a ten-second penalty for his earlier move on Lawson, meaning he was pushed down to P17 at the chequered flag.
Looking Ahead
In a weekend that showed flashes of race pace, it served as a reminder that Ollie is learning fast in the most unforgiving midfield on the grid. After three races in as many weeks, Ollie heads across the Atlantic for the Canadian Grand Prix, 13-15 June, after a chance to reset, refocus and return ready for more.
