The 2016 P Zero Orange hard compound was seen for the first time in anger today, during free practice for the Spanish Grand Prix. Not only that, but the P Zero Yellow soft tyre was also seen for the first time in the history of the Spanish race, where Pirelli is the title sponsor once more this year.

In line with the pattern seen at other races so far this season, lap times came down massively compared to 2015: last year's pole time was already eclipsed in FP1. At the very start of FP2, Jolyon Palmer's Renault had a tyre deflation. Detailed analysis of this issue is still ongoing.

Paul Hembery: "The European part of the season starts with one of the toughest tests of all at Barcelona, which the teams know well from pre-season testing. With higher temperatures now, graining has been reduced. While the soft tyre shows a lot of pace here, the medium tyre has performed strongly as well, and looks set to be a very good race tyre judging from what we have seen on the long runs so far."

Of the 25 races held in Barcelona, 18 have been won by the driver on pole position and 23 have been won from the front row, underlining the importance of tomorrow's qualifying session. The lowest-ever winning grid position has been P5, which is where Fernando Alonso started before he won in 2013 with Ferrari (his most recent victory).

Check out our Friday gallery, here.