Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas clocked the fastest time during the first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was next, followed by Formula One leader Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes.

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Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland goes off the track during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas clocked the fastest time during the first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday.
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico takes a curve during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

McLaren drivers Lando Norris, the surprise of the season in a distant third place, had the fourth fastest time. Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were next.
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland steers his car during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Hamilton won the season-opener in Bahrain and last week’s race in Portugal. Verstappen won the season’s second race in Italy.
Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia steers his car during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia steers his car during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain walks past a Mercedes logo in the paddock ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 6, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain walks past a Mercedes logo in the paddock ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 6, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)
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Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland goes off the track during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas clocked the fastest time during the first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday.

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico takes a curve during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

McLaren drivers Lando Norris, the surprise of the season in a distant third place, had the fourth fastest time. Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were next.

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland steers his car during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Hamilton won the season-opener in Bahrain and last week’s race in Portugal. Verstappen won the season’s second race in Italy.

Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia steers his car during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia steers his car during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain walks past a Mercedes logo in the paddock ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 6, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain walks past a Mercedes logo in the paddock ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 6, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Only eight points separate Hamilton from Verstappen at the top of the standings after they finished 1-2 in the first three races.

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland goes off the track during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland goes off the track during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

McLaren drivers Lando Norris, the surprise of the season in a distant third place, had the fourth fastest time. Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were next.

The session under sunny skies near Barcelona only saw one red flag when Alfa Romeo reserve driver Robert Kubica spun out on a curve and got stuck in the gravel.

Nikita Mazepin also lost control of his Haas on one of his first laps, but he was able to get going again.

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico takes a curve during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico takes a curve during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Hamilton won the season-opener in Bahrain and last week’s race in Portugal. Verstappen won the season’s second race in Italy.

On Saturday, Hamilton will be aiming for his 100th career pole. On Sunday, he will be looking to equal Michael Schumacher’s six wins in Montmeló.

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Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland steers his car during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland steers his car during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

 Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia steers his car during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mclaren driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia steers his car during the first free practice for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Friday, May 7, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

 Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain walks past a Mercedes logo in the paddock ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 6, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain walks past a Mercedes logo in the paddock ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 6, 2021. The Spanish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. (AP PhotoEmilio Morenatti)