Lewis Hamilton toils in 12th as Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominate in Spain

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes continued to struggle in the early running in Barcelona (Joan Monfort/AP)

Lewis Hamilton finished only 12th in opening practice for the Spanish Grand Prix.

As Max Verstappen predictably set the pace for Red Bull at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, Hamilton ended the one-hour running 1.2 seconds behind the Dutchman.