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Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix: A true test for drivers and machines

The pilots are preparing for the GP Spain in the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next weekend. The track is renowned for its technical challenges and is considered one of the most complete in the world.

Por: Alejandro Carrillo June 20, 2024

Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2024 / Photo via F1

The tenth round of the Formula 1 season, the Spanish Grand Prix, is set to take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, one of the most technically demanding tracks on the calendar for both tires and cars.

This Catalan track is known for its technical challenges and is considered one of the most complete in the world. In addition to its two long straights, it features a variety of corners, some of which, such as Turn 3 and the combination of 13 and 14 leading onto the main straight, are taken at very high speeds.

The lateral forces exerted on the tires are particularly high, especially on the left side of the car, partly due to the fact that 9 of the 14 corners are right-handers.

Last year, the track layout was reverted to a configuration more similar to the original one, which debuted on the Formula 1 calendar in 1991.

After removing the Nissan chicane in 1995 and modifying the entry to the turn leading to the Stadium area in 2004, a chicane was added before the last corner in 2007 with the aim of creating new overtaking opportunities at the end of the main straight, an objective that was never fully materialized.

Full speed

However, the elimination of this section, combined with the aerodynamic configuration of current cars, led to an increase in overtaking, so that last year this track went from being considered a medium one in terms of overtaking opportunities to one of the four best.

This year’s GP is being held three weeks later than in 2023, so it could be hotter and put more emphasis on tire management. This thermal challenge could put the C3 compound at a disadvantage, which was quite competitive last season even on Sunday, as evidenced by the fact that 16 of the 20 drivers used it for the first stint.

For many seasons, this circuit was used for winter testing and also marked the start of the European leg of the season, which also meant the arrival of the first major developments of the year.

However, calendar changes mean that this is no longer the case, but that does not mean that Barcelona is not a demanding test and one that is received with trepidation by all teams, since, and in this case the cliché is true, if a car is competitive here, it should be fast on all kinds of tracks.

Legends in Barcelona

German Michael Schumacher and Englishman Lewis Hamilton are the most successful drivers in the Spanish GP, with six wins each, although the extra win in the 1994 European GP makes Schumi the most successful on Spanish soil.

The German also leads the table in the remaining statistics with his 7 pole positions, 7 fastest laps and 12 podiums. Among constructors, Ferrari leads with 12 wins, 14 pole positions and 38 podium finishes.

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Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix: A true test for drivers and machines

Full speed

Legends in Barcelona

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Full speed

Legends in Barcelona

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