Kym Illman

F1 accredited photographer capturing the behind the scenes of Formula One. Follow for daily F1 content and insights.

[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

BACK IN Q3

It was a first Q3 appearance of 2026 for Nico Hulkenberg today, and he will line up tomorrow from P9 on the grid. In the garage, there were audible celebrations as the result came through.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

SET FOR A COMEBACK

Turn 4 proved to be the undoing of Charles Leclerc in Q3 today, as the Ferrari driver found the barriers during his final qualifying effort. It marks his third consecutive crash in a competitive session, and he will start tomorrow’s race from P10. Despite the setback, Ferrari’s strong pace throughout the weekend should give Leclerc confidence that he can fight his way back through the pack on Sunday.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

BACK WHERE IT BEGAN

It was at this circuit a decade ago that a young Max Verstappen took his first victory in Formula One. Tomorrow, he lines up in P5 on the grid.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

THE CHALLENGERS

It's Lewis Hamilton who will start alongside his former teammate George Russell on the front row tomorrow. The Ferrari driver splits the two Mercedes cars, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli lining up just behind. After qualifying, Lewis and Kimi shared a brief conversation in parc ferme before completing their media duties.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

BACK ON TRACK

George Russell has never started from the front row in Barcelona before, but that will change tomorrow as he lines up on pole position. George was visibly pleased in parc ferme after the session, admitting that he felt "more like himself again" following a difficult run of results. After weeks of frustration and misfortune, this was a statement performance from the Mercedes driver, who will now have a golden opportunity to convert pole into victory on Sunday.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

ONE SPOT AHEAD

Franco Colapinto will start tomorrow's race from P13, with teammate Pierre Gasly lining up just behind in P14. The Argentine has now outqualified his teammate on four occasions in 2026 when Sprint sessions are included. With opportunities to overtake around Barcelona, Franco will be hoping to convert another strong Saturday into a points challenge on Sunday.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

POINTS IN SIGHT

Arvid Lindblad achieved his career-best finish last weekend in Monaco, and tomorrow in Barcelona he will start from P11 on the grid. With far more overtaking opportunities available here than in Monaco, Arvid can head into race day with confidence and a points finish firmly in his sights.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

Q1 CASUALTIES

Joining Fernando Alonso in exiting during Q1 were his teammate Lance Stroll, both Cadillac drivers, Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon. With the low-grip conditions proving challenging for a number of drivers during qualifying, these five will be hoping to find more pace and move forward through the field tomorrow.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

FINAL BARCELONA BOW?

This circuit is set to enter a rotation with Spa, meaning Formula One will not return here next season. Earlier this weekend, Fernando Alonso admitted: "This is probably my last Barcelona race in Formula 1." Unfortunately for the home favourite, he qualified last today. But I'm sure he will be turning disappointment into motivation. He will be determined to put on a show for his home fans tomorrow.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

LEWIS FROM ABOVE

As I headed up a set of stairs here in the paddock, I managed to catch this shot of Lewis Hamilton making his way into the Ferrari motorhome via one of the lesser-known routes around the circuit, something he often opts for to avoid the busiest areas of the paddock. How will Lewis fare today? I, for one, am looking forward to finding out.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

A CENTURIAN

This weekend in Barcelona marks the 100th race for George Russell as a Mercedes driver, a milestone achieved by only a select few. George joins the exclusive club with Valtteri Bottas, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. After a frustrating run of bad luck in recent weeks, he will no doubt be hoping to mark the occasion with a result to remember for all the right reasons.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

SPIRITS UNCHANGED

Following Alpine's successful appeal yesterday, you could forgive Isack Hadjar for feeling a little deflated. The revised result means he is now classified fourth in the Monaco Grand Prix, losing what would have been his maiden podium finish with Red Bull. However, there was little sign of disappointment when he arrived at the circuit today. Isack was in high spirits as he made his way through the paddock. He also took part in the football challenge, although it is fair to say his effort was not quite as successful as some of his rivals'.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

TARGET PRACTICE

On media day, the drivers had the chance to test their football skills by shooting into an open goal as part of promotional activities for the World Cup. Today, however, the challenge returned with a twist. The goal was covered up, leaving only a small opening in the bottom-right corner and making accuracy just as important as power. One driver who stepped up to the challenge was Sergio Perez. There was certainly no shortage of power behind Checo's effort, and perhaps more importantly, it was on target too.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

IN GOOD COMPANY

Pierre Gasly arrives at the circuit today accompanied by his entourage, his girlfriend Kika and their dog, Simba. Drivers often bring their four-legged friends into the paddock, and they rarely fail to attract plenty of attention from team members, media and guests alike. Simba was no exception this morning, drawing plenty of admiring glances on the way through.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

END THE WAIT?

Charles Leclerc finished third and fourth fastest across yesterday's two practice sessions, putting himself firmly in the mix heading into qualifying. A Ferrari driver has not won here in Barcelona since Fernando Alonso triumphed back in 2013. Could this finally be the weekend Ferrari end that drought? We shall see.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

A CROWD FAVOURITE

Fernando Alonso arrives at the circuit today knowing he will have plenty of support behind him. As he makes his way around the track this weekend, he is sure to be greeted by huge roars from the grandstands. During FP1 yesterday, one stand in particular was packed with fans cheering him on almost every lap, creating a fantastic atmosphere whenever the Spaniard came into view.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

LIAM FEELING THE COLD?

Quite the contrary. It is a warm morning here in Barcelona and the temperature is only continuing to rise. Liam Lawson is sporting one of the new VCARB scarves launched this weekend. I have one myself and can confirm they're lovely, but given the conditions today, they're definitely more of a fashion statement than a necessity.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

READY TO STRIKE

Kimi Antonelli arrived in the paddock this morning ahead of the final practice session and today's all-important qualifying hour. Kimi sat out FP1 yesterday, with Frederik Vesti taking over driving duties in his Mercedes. When he returned to the car for FP2, he finished around half a second adrift of the benchmark set by Lando Norris. The championship leader has won the last five races and continues to carry remarkable momentum into every weekend. If Mercedes can find a little more pace today, he will surely be in the conversation when pole position is decided.

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

FAST AT THE FRONT

Lando Norris put in an impressive display today, finishing fastest in FP2 despite not taking part in FP1, with Leonardo Fornaroli running in his car during the opening session. If he can rediscover that pace tomorrow when it matters most, could we be looking at his second pole position of the 2026 season?

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[Kym Illman @KymIllman]

DRESSED FOR THE JOB

Still wearing his race suit long after his on-track duties had finished was Paul Aron. I asked him why he still had it on after FP2, and his response was simple: “I’m a racing driver. I like to be dressed as a racing driver.” He certainly looked the part this afternoon, and with good reason too. Paul impressed during his FP1 outing, ending the session sixth fastest and making the most of another valuable opportunity behind the wheel.

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