A tough appointment for Components 1 within the tenth spherical of the season. The Spanish Grand Prix will as soon as once more happen on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, probably the most technically difficult tracks not just for the vehicles but additionally for the tires. It’s no shock, due to this fact, that Pirelli has chosen the three hardest dry-weather compounds – C1 as Onerous, C2 as Medium, and C3 as Comfortable – for this occasion, the identical alternative made for the season opener in Bahrain.
The monitor is among the most full on this planet, not simply on the championship calendar. It options straights and all varieties of corners, together with some – like Flip 3 and the mixture of Turns 13 and 14 main onto the primary straight – taken at very excessive speeds. The lateral forces on the tires are significantly excessive, particularly on the left facet of the automotive, on condition that 9 of the fourteen corners are right-handers.
For a few years, this circuit was the positioning of winter testing for groups and, because it opened the European section of the season, it was the stage for the debut of the primary vital upgrades of the 12 months. Lately, this position has diminished, however Barcelona stays an important and eagerly awaited cease for all groups as a result of – and this isn’t a cliché – if a automotive is aggressive right here, it ought to be aggressive on any sort of monitor.
Since 2023, the unique configuration used from 1991 – the 12 months this monitor debuted within the prime competitors – to 2007, when a chicane was added earlier than the ultimate nook to theoretically create extra overtaking alternatives, has been reintroduced. In truth, the elimination of the chicane, mixed with the present aerodynamic configuration of the vehicles, has revived overtaking on this monitor. It’s no coincidence that final 12 months it moved from the center of the rankings for overtaking to being among the many prime 4.
In comparison with 2023, this 12 months’s race weekend takes place three weeks later, and temperatures might be increased. This might add one other issue – warmth – in tire administration, doubtlessly disadvantaging the C3 compound, which was fairly aggressive in final 12 months’s race and was chosen for the primary stint by 16 out of 20 drivers.
Strategically, two stops ought to be the quickest choice, with all compounds seemingly for use. In case of upper degradation, three stops would possibly change into a variable, particularly on condition that final 12 months’s race confirmed overtaking is simpler than earlier than.
One other custom linked to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the significance of pole place for the ultimate results of the Spanish Grand Prix. In 24 races, the pole sitter has crossed the end line first. Contemplating that on 4 events the pole sitter retired, it turns into even clearer how essential – not less than statistically – it’s to be the quickest on Saturday afternoon.
After Miami, Barcelona would be the second Grand Prix of the season to characteristic all 4 championships for which Pirelli is the unique tire provider: apart from Components 1, Components 2, and Components 3, the third spherical of the F1 Academy, the feminine sequence created in 2023, can also be on the calendar.
This 12 months’s Spanish Grand Prix marks its 54th version. It first joined the championship calendar in 1951 however has been an everyday characteristic since 1986. Barcelona is the fifth venue to host this Grand Prix, with earlier races held at two road circuits within the Catalan capital – Pedralbes (twice) and Montjuïc (4 instances) – and two everlasting tracks, Jarama (9 instances), close to Madrid, and Jerez de la Frontera (5 instances), in Andalusia. This 12 months is the thirty fourth time the occasion will likely be held on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Spain has additionally hosted seven world championship races below the title of the European Grand Prix: in 1994 and 1997 in Jerez, and from 2008 to 2012 on the Valencia road circuit.
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are the drivers with probably the most victories within the Spanish Grand Prix, with six wins every. Along with his win within the 1994 European Grand Prix, Schumacher is probably the most profitable driver in F1 races held in Spain. The German champion additionally leads in pole positions (7), quickest laps (7), and podium finishes (12). Amongst constructors, Ferrari leads in wins (12), pole positions (14), quickest laps (14), and podium finishes (38).
Minimal beginning pressures (slick)
25.5 psi (entrance)
21.0 psi (rear)
Camber limits
-3.00° (entrance)
-1.75° (rear)
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