Sport Max Verstappen Was 0.7s Clear of Team-Mate Sergio Perez in First Practice

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Max Verstappen topped first practice at the Spanish Grand Prix from team-mate Sergio Perez as Red Bull laid down an ominous marker in Barcelona.

There had been an expectation going into the weekend that the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya would suit Red Bull, who have won all six races to start the season, but still their advantage was simply stunning.

Verstappen produced a 1:14.606 to finish more than 0.7s clear of Perez, who the Dutchman leads by 39-points at the top of the world championship.

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Despite bringing major upgrades to their cars, Ferrari and Mercedes struggled, with both notably being outperformed by Alpine, who had Esteban Ocon third and Pierre Gasly fifth.

Rookie Nyck de Vries put aside criticism over his early-season performances to take fourth for AlphaTauri, while Fernando Alonso claimed sixth for Aston Martin at his home race.