The Latest Breaking News from Barcelona

Hulkenberg, who has not raced at Barcelona since 2019 with Renault, ended the second practice session on Friday afternoon behind only Fernando Alonso and Red Bull pacesetter Max Verstappen.

The Barcelona running is significant because Pirelli only has one more session with its 2024 tyres – after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone with Red Bull among those taking part – before the FIA makes a final call on whether to push ahead with the original plan to run…

The seven-time world champion endured a difficult opening day of practice at Barcelona, as Mercedes had its first proper run on a regular circuit of new upgrades following their introduction in Monaco.

Verstappen, who led both Friday practice sessions, was one of many F1 drivers to give Barcelona's tweaked layout the thumbs up.

Mercedes driver Russell was furious with one of the McLaren drivers during the second practice session in Barcelona on Friday after being forced to bail out of a flying lap

The porpoising sensation that many thought had been left in the 1980s returned to the series during the early part of 2022 upon the rejig of the regulations that heralded the return of ground effects.

The current Barcelona venue has been on the calendar since 1991 and for this year, the final chicane has been ditched in favour of a return to high-speed Turns 13-14. This tweak has been devised to boost overtaking.

The 'porpoising' phenomenon was a major factor in the first half of the 2022 season until teams got on top of the problem, but it threatens to rear its ugly head in Barcelona again this weekend

Sky's punditry team regularly rotates across the season but Kravitz is usually a mainstay of the coverage – but the pit lane reporter will not be seen on TV in Barcelona this weekend