Max Verstappen: "We are back to the European races for a while now and I have been with the Team at the factory this week preparing for the Spanish Grand Prix, being the first race of a busy triple header. Barcelona will be the first race where I will be debuting my new orange helmet. As a tribute to my fans and all of their support, they are actually featured on helmet and I think the final design looks really cool and detailed. I have great memories from the circuit, especially winning my first Formula One race there. It has a good mix of high and low-speed corners and we have historically driven well there so hopefully we can maximise the performance of the car this weekend. We are aiming to keep the momentum going from Canada, so we are looking forward to racing this weekend and hopefully have some good weather!"
Sergio Perez: "Coming into Spain I know I need a successful weekend, after a disaster in Canada. Sometimes you are forced to reset a little and we have done that since the last race. I have been in Milton Keynes working with the Team to try and identify where and what we can do better to ensure I am getting the most out of this car. I am confident in the car and the performance we can execute from it, but I need to show that on track better in Barcelona. I always enjoy the Spanish GP, it feels a lot like home and everyone makes me feel so welcome. It's a circuit I know very well and the RB20 should be quick around this type of track, so it's down to us to get things right and bring home the result we know we are capable of."
Stats & Facts
• The Team have led every lap at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya since lap 31 of the 2022 Spain GP, when Checo took the lead. He swapped the lead with Max during their pitstop cycles before Max led Oracle Red Bull Racing to a 1-2 finish and then in 2023, Max led the race start-to-finish.
• Max's victory at the 2024 Canada GP was his 50th victory in the last 75 races.
• While Max was not on pole position in Canada, he set an identical lap time to polesitter George Russell, who was on pole because he set this time first. It was only the second example of a tie for pole position since Formula One began uniformly timing to three decimal places at the start of the 1982 season, the other being the 1997 European Grand Prix at Jerez, when three drivers set the same time (Jacques Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher and Heinz-Harald Frentzen).
• Max has finished on the podium in the last six consecutive Spanish GPs, steadily improving his positions as the years have progressed (third place in 2018 and 2019, second place in 202 and 2021, before winning the race in 2022 and 2023).
• Max and Oracle Red Bull Racing have led the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships continuously since taking the lead following the 2022 Spain GP.
• Starting with Max's win in the 2016 race, the Team have finished on the podium for the last eight consecutive Spain GPs.
Toto Wolff: We have continued to make incremental gains across the past few races. It was encouraging therefore to take another positive step forward in Canada. To see that translate into our strongest team result of the season so far is a reward for everyone's hard work. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a unique track, however. It has a narrow range of corner speeds and, with a newly re-laid surface, was something of an outlier compared to more traditional venues. We know our competitors will perform more strongly at upcoming races so we will need to continue to work hard to consistently get ourselves in the fight for podiums, and eventually race wins.
Barcelona will provide a good test of our progress. It has a mix of fast, medium, and low speed corners, a long straight and plenty of elevation change. Tracks that contain this wide speed range have been a weakness of ours so far this year. This weekend will therefore provide another opportunity to evaluate our progress through our recent updates, and we hope to build on the positive momentum from Montreal.
The Spanish Grand Prix takes place this weekend, the tenth round of the season and a home race for Carlos Sainz. Scuderia Ferrari HP is keen to put its poor performance in Montreal behind it and return to fighting for victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit.
The track has undergone major changes in recent years: in 2021 turns 10 and 11 were transformed into one long hairpin and last year, the unpopular final chicane, a thorn in the driver's side which demanded a lot from the cars in terms of traction at the very end of the lap, has reverted to its original layout, namely two very fast corners propelling the cars onto the start-finish straight at full speed. These changes have not created any major overtaking opportunities, but they have definitely improved the show. The best place to attempt a passing move is at the end of the straight that is over a kilometre in length, as well as at turns 5 and 10.
As usual at his home race, there's a grandstand specifically for Carlos Sainz' most ardent fans. The man from Madrid has finished in the points in all nine of his appearances here.
Fred Vasseur - Team Principal: The Spanish Grand Prix should see us return to being competitive, with the same level of performance we have demonstrated throughout the season prior to the Canadian Grand Prix. In fact, we come to Barcelona buoyed by the fantastic performance from our Ferrari Hypercar colleagues who have just won the Le Mans 24 Hours for the second year running. We learned some valuable lessons from the Montreal weekend and feel we have now moved on from there. We have to work calmly and continue to focus on ourselves. The Barcelona-Catalunya circuit has always been regarded as a great test of a car's all-round ability and we expect to be back on our usual form here.
However, all season long we have seen qualifying and the race fought out to the nearest hundredth of a second, so it will be vital for us to ensure we do everything correctly, down to the smallest detail. That will involve being on top of our game, because only by executing every session perfectly can we get the results we know we are capable of.
This is Carlos' home race and I'm sure all that extra support from the fans will be an added boost for him. It's going to be an interesting weekend and we are counting on scoring plenty of points.
Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix
GP contested: 53
Debut: Pedralbes 1951 (J.F. Gonzalez 2nd; A. Ascari 4th; P. Taruffi ret.; L. Villoresi ret.)
Wins: 12 (22.64%)
Pole positions: 14 (26.41%)
Fastest laps: 12 (22.64%)
Podiums: 55 (34.59%)
Three Questions to Carlos Sainz
It's time for your home race. How special is it to race in front of your fans?
Carlos Sainz: It's definitely one of the most special moments of the year for me! Being able to race in front of your home crowd is a privilege and I'm super excited for the upcoming weekend. The circuit is buzzing the entire time with thousands of Spanish fans and the support I get from them is very special. I also have a special grandstand, the Grada CS55, which is full of super tifosi! It has become a very nice tradition and I simply love driving past it and seeing the atmosphere there.
Can you tell us about the characteristics of the track? What does it take to be quick at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya?
CS: This is a track with a lot of character and we drivers (most of us at least!) know it very well because of the amount of testing we have done here in the past. Turns 1, 2 and 3 is a very nice combination with medium to high speed corners where your neck is put to the test! Turn 9 is also super-fast and a bit of a blind corner because it's uphill. You need to treat your tyres nicely in the first part of the lap if you want to extract the maximum in Sector 3 and complete a competitive lap in Quali!
On Wednesday, you will be driving a Ferrari Formula 1 car through the streets of Barcelona in an event for the public organised by our partner Santander. How special is that going to be?
CS: I think this is something unique in the city of Barcelona and I'm extremely proud to be able to participate! It will give the people a closer look at the car and we will have fun together doing some tricks! I'm really looking forward to the whole experience and I hope people enjoy it as much as I know I will!
Facts & Figures
1.6. The length in kilometres of Barcelona's Passeig de Gracia, which this Wednesday afternoon hosts a demonstration run through the streets, with Carlos Sainz at the wheel of a Ferrari F1-75, an event organised in collaboration with team partner Santander. It is one of the most famous avenues of the city, a commercial and business area, as well as a tourist attraction because of the exceptional examples of modernist architecture from the likes of Antoni Gaudi and Lluis Domenech i Montaner. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a classic boulevard in the French style, 61 metres wide, just nine less than the Champs-Elysees in Paris.
3. The number of Catalan circuits that have hosted the Spanish Grand Prix. This Sunday will be the 34th time the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit has been the venue, while, Montjuic and Pedralbes, both in the Catalan capital, have been home to the Grand Prix four and two times respectively. Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia has hosted the race five times, while there have been nine races at Jarama, on the outskirts of Madrid, the city due to host the race as from 2026.
4. The size in square kilometres of the town of Montmelo, home to the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit. It is one of the smallest municipalities in the region with a population of under 9000. The earliest reference to this town dates back to 945 and the act of consecration of the church of Santa Maria de las Puella in Barcelona, when there is a mention of a donation from the parish of Santa Maria de Montis Moloni, the ancient name for Montmelo.
5. The number of drivers from Barcelona who have raced in Formula 1: Pedro de la Rosa, Jaime Alguersuari, Luis Perez-Sala, Francisco Godia-Sales and Alex Soler-Roig. It's a record for Spain, with Madrid in second place thanks to Carlos Sainz, Emilio de Villota and Antonio Creus y Rubin de Celis.
9. The number of points finishes from the same number of starts for Carlos Sainz in the Spanish Grand Prix. His best result is a fourth place in 2022 at the wheel of a Ferrari F1-75. Last year he finished fifth in the SF23. In 2016, in a Ferrari-powered Scuderia Toro Rosso he finished sixth, the same position as in 2020. He has finished seventh three times in 2017, 2018 and 2021, eighth in 2019 and ninth in his debut F1 season in 2015, again with Toro Rosso.
Lando Norris: "It's great to be back in Europe after a successful Canadian GP for us. We were close to another win, but I'm happy to get another podium and important points for the team. It's a great place to be in, fighting for wins, and it makes me really excited for the rest of the season. We know we've got a little bit of work to do to ensure we're winning more regularly, but we're moving in the right direction.
"Last week I was back at the MTC to see the team and prepare for Barcelona. I always enjoy going to Spain, there's always a great atmosphere from the fans and it's an amazing city. The track has its challenges with a real mix of slow and high-speed corners, but I think we're in a good position to maximise our performance and get the most out of the car. We've got our eyes on the prize, let's go!"
Oscar Piastri: "Canada was another strong weekend for the team and I was pleased to continue a productive run of results from Imola and Monaco. It's a nice feeling to be consistently fighting at the front and being in the mix for the big prizes.
"I've had some decent performances in Barcelona in the junior categories and the car feels in a good place thanks to all the hard work put in by the whole team. I'm looking forward to touching down in Spain."
Andrea Stella, Team Principal: "We now head to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix. It's the start of a busy European season with a triple header. It's a lot of work for the drivers and the entire team to keep up the momentum for three races in a row, but we are energised by our recent performance and results.
"While we're confident that the MCL38 can perform on merit at different types of tracks, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will still offer a unique challenge. More teams are bringing upgrades, so it's important for us to keep our focus and make every weekend count."
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Race laps: 66
Circuit length: 4.657 km/2.894miles
Total race distance: 307.236 km/190.908 miles
Number of corners: 14 (8 right, 6 left)
Allocated tyre compounds: Hard: C1, Medium: C2 and Soft: C3
Ahead of his home Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso talks racing in front of the home crowd, his memories of the track and what to expect this weekend.
What is it like to be racing in front of your home fans?
Fernando Alonso: "The Spanish Grand Prix has always been a special race for me and it's always nice to come home and embrace the amazing atmosphere.
"This will be my 21st Spanish Grand Prix and I will feel as proud as I did at my first home race when I go round the track. The Spanish fans always come out in full force and provide us with the additional motivation to do well.
"It's always nice to see them at the Fan Forum as well - so many come along to show their support for the team."
Can you tell us about some of your favourite memories at the circuit?
FA: "Over the years there have been some exciting battles on track and one that stands out is my win in 2006. It was my first victory at my home race, and I will always remember the fan's reactions it was very special.
"There is always a different kind of energy at the Spanish Grand Prix for me - the fans are so passionate. Another good memory of mine was the blue wave in 2005 and 2006 which is now becoming a green wave."
What does it take to do well at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya?
FA: "It's a circuit all the drivers and teams know well so everyone has a lot of experience there. Tyre degradation is a key factor at this track which means the pit-stop strategy plays a big part in the race.
"Overtaking is not easy either, so making sure the car is set-up right ahead of Saturday will be important as qualifying position is crucial to having a good Sunday."
Last year saw us race on the new layout for the first time, do you think that it has made a difference?
FA: "The removal of the chicane helped to make the last sector more flowing, and it has made tyre management even more important throughout the race. I think it's quite fun to drive through it again at high-speed."
We left Montreal with a double points finish; do you think that result can act as motivation for the team moving forwards?
FA: "The team are working flat out to bring new parts to every race and hopefully we can improve our competitiveness.
"The Spanish Grand Prix marks the start of a triple-header so we need to work together as a team to make sure we are able to extract the maximum we can from each weekend.
"We will also need to support each other during the next three races, as triple-headers can be a physical and mental challenge for everyone in the team, not just the drivers."
Bruno Famin, Team Principal: It was our first double points of the season after a well-managed race in extremely challenging conditions. Operationally we were strong and we turned around our low grid positions into a reward by the end of the weekend. The drivers were faultless especially in the interchanging conditions. It's important points in our Championship and we must strive for more. We made decisions with the best interests of the team coming first. Sometimes these pay-off, sometimes not, and we will not change our approach in order to maximise the team result when we can.
We are back to a conventional circuit in Spain after racing on non-permanent tracks at the last two events. Barcelona is a reference track so we will see where we stand. Nevertheless, the hard work continues in our Championship fight and we have positive momentum from the last two races to carry forwards. In addition to Formula 1, we have six Academy Drivers in Barcelona. We look forward to seeing the results of Victor and Kush in FIA Formula 2, Gabriele, Nikola and Sophia in FIA Formula 3 and Abbi in F1 Academy. Gabriele and Abbi lead their respective Championships so we hope that trend continues.
Esteban Ocon: We arrive in Spain coming off the back of a positive result in Montréal, with a double points finish for the team, so hopefully it is something we can try to repeat again this weekend. But we know the circuit in Spain is a different challenge altogether. It was a first double points finish for the team this season, which goes to show that the effort and hard work to turn things around since the start of the season is making an impact on track. The rain probably helped us given our starting position, and we made the most of the conditions in order to move up the field. It is always difficult to make the right strategy calls with a drying track, but I think we optimised what we could, and it was pleasing to come away with both cars in the points.
Spain marks the start of a busy few weeks for the team, with the first triple-header of the season. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is familiar territory and a track we know inside out. It is a circuit that is regularly used for testing purposes, so I have probably driven this track more than any other. The combination of fast, medium, and low-speed corners makes it the ultimate testing ground, particularly with aerodynamic efficiency. So, it will be interesting to see where we stack up this weekend. Despite the week gap, I also spent last weekend at a race track for the 24 Hours of Le Mans supporting Alpine in the Hypercar category, as well as launching the new A290 - Alpine's first all-electric car.
Pierre Gasly: While it's not a completely satisfying result, I must say I'm pleased to see the progress in recent weeks at the team as we have now scored points at back-to-back races. From where we started the season, clearly, this is a good step forward. Canada was a tough weekend with the varying conditions. As a driver, you relish these days as it's a real challenge to focus and keep the car under control. From our side, starting in fifteenth, we welcomed the rain as it brought opportunities and uncertainty. We executed the race well. We had some drama - contact at times - we also took some risk and, in the end, that all paid off, so I'm pleased with our decisions and the points for the Championship.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is probably the place where all of us current drivers have driven the most laps! It's always served as a good test track as there are long straights, and a variety of corner combinations both high and low speed. There are many challenges to tackle in Barcelona so we will see how we go. We are keeping our heads down and working hard behind the scenes. It's the start of an intense triple header. We have scored at the last two races so we must strive to continue this momentum now. I'm looking forward to it! Away from the track, I will be keeping an eye on the Euros. This week after Practice, it's a big one France versus The Netherlands. Hopefully I can catch some of it with Max [Verstappen] and enjoy a big French win!
Sven Smeets, Sporting Director: We are looking forward to returning to Barcelona. It's a well-known track for all the teams and drivers and there is always a great atmosphere with the tens of thousands of Spanish fans.
We will be interested to see how the FW46 performs with its different characteristics, as last year the FW45 struggled at this track.
The weather forecast seems nice and sunny for Friday and Saturday but with a risk of showers when the race starts on Sunday, which could make it very interesting.
Alex Albon: As we kick off the start of the triple header in Barcelona, it's always a familiar feeling driving this circuit as we've all done a million laps around it from a very young age, always being an enjoyable track to drive with its mix of high- and low-speed corners. Obviously, our result last weekend wasn't what we hoped for, so we'll be looking to come back strong and see what opportunities arise for us as a team. The weather is looking pretty consistent, so let's see how the FW46 performs with its more versatile characteristics.
Logan Sargeant: Heading back into the European leg of the season, I'm looking forward to racing at a track we all know well in Barcelona. It's an exciting circuit to drive, although tends to be harsh on the tyres, so it will be interesting to see how the race unfolds. I'm hoping for a positive weekend in Spain.
Daniel Ricciardo: "Barcelona is always a track where everyone brings updates, so I think it's going to be a really competitive weekend. Let's see what everyone brings. I'm excited to drive it with the faster last sector that they changed for last year. I'm looking forward to getting back on that track. Normally, it's quite familiar but we didn't do any testing there this year, so should be fun. I'm looking forward to keeping this run going, trying to get some more Q3 appearances and points finishes. I've been waiting a while, but I like to think it's the start of where my season continues to progress and show performances like I did in Montreal. Really looking forward to it and excited to get the European leg started!"
Yuki Tsunoda: "Even though the race in Montreal didn't go the way I wanted, and the weekend as a whole was a bit up and down, it was positive that we managed to turn things around from Free Practice to qualifying, from one extreme to another. It showed that, as a team, we know how to adapt, and we came back well to get to Q3 once again. This definitely gives me lots of confidence that we know how to turn things around and make them work! Now it's time for Barcelona, which is a tough test for the car, but so far this season the VCARB 01 seems to perform well at all tracks, so I have no concerns on the performance side. As for the track itself, Sector 1 and Sector 3 are different animals and you can't really have a car that is well-balanced in both of them, so you need to compromise, but we are not worried about that. The key will be to get a good understanding of how our package is working at this track as soon as possible during Free Practice and then get the most out of it. It's another track where overtaking is difficult so qualifying will again be very important. I seem to be performing quite well in quali in recent races, maybe it's the way I build up to it over Free Practice and it's also linked to controlling my emotions, managing myself better and doing it consistently. That makes your driving and feedback better and gives me extra confidence, so I'm looking forward to it."
Jody Egginton (Technical Director): "With Barcelona being a very well-used track, the amount of circuit evolution will be fairly standard, and track and ambient temperatures should be dry and warm, so there are no significant circuit modifications for this year's race. The circuit provides a good test of competitor aerodynamics and tyre usage with a good mix of corner speeds, heavy braking and direction changes combined with a long main straight over the 4.65km lap. All the drivers are quite familiar with this track as it features in many of the junior championships, but it remains a challenging circuit with any off-track excursion being punished by the gravel run-off areas. With regards to our approach to the race, recent results have been reasonable and we have been scoring points. However, the midfield battle is incredibly tight and we are under no illusion that we must deliver well-executed events to be towards the front of this group with a chance of scoring points. So, like for any other Grand Prix, there have been intensive preparations in the simulator and offline tools to prepare for this event. A significant amount of work was put in by Faenza and Bicester to prepare and deliver an aerodynamic update consisting of a floor, bodywork and rear wing for both cars, to provide a measurable performance benefit. As a result of having this update, the Friday sessions will be especially busy, in order to gather and process as much data as possible and get ready for Saturday onwards."
KICK Sauber F1 Team returns to Europe as it makes its way to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix. Following a thrilling Canadian Grand Prix, the team continued to work hard to extract performance from its C44 and used the week between the races to get to Barcelona in the best possible shape.
A good mix of high-and low-speed corners - with a challenging Turn 3, Barcelona is set to be an interesting race that will see a very tight field fighting for the points.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Team Representative: "We return to Europe after a challenging weekend in Montreal, determined to bounce back at the first possible occasion. The team is united, we understand that comprehensive improvements are essential across all areas, but we remain confident in our ability to compete for points once again. The tight margins in this sport mean that even the smallest enhancement can be pivotal, particularly in qualifying. Improving our single-lap performance is vital to positioning ourselves better on race day and targeting a top-10 finish. Our dedication and hard work will be key to turning our season around and everyone, both trackside and back in Hinwil, is ready to embrace the challenge ahead."
Valtteri Bottas: "It's good to be back in Barcelona, a place that we know like the back of our hands. This is a place that always suited me and feel I can be at my best here. It's a circuit that has no secrets for the teams: we have reams of data about it, in every condition and with every variable accounted for so, once again, it will be the finest details that will make the difference, especially on Saturday. Although we haven't been as strong in the last few races as we should be, we are confident in our abilities. The team has put in tremendous amounts of effort to understand our issues and improve our performance. It's a tight field, but with improved qualifying, we know we can be back in the fight for points again."
Zhou Guanyu: "I'm excited to be back racing again, and I am determined to get back into the fight for points. Unfortunately, the last few races didn't go well for me and the team, but we are determined to bounce back. We've used our little break wisely to identify issues and work hard to be competitive again. I have some good memories of Barcelona - last year's race was a lot of fun and I brought home some points, too. It's a track we know well and that should mean there will be no surprises - it'll be all about ultimate performance. It'll be crucial for us to start strong: nailing our setup early into the free practice sessions with lots of running to put us in a good position for qualifying and ultimately the race."
Round 10 of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship takes MoneyGram Haas F1 Team to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, for the Spanish Grand Prix.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been the home of Formula 1's Spanish Grand Prix since 1991, when the circuit was constructed as part of Barcelona's rejuvenation as the host of the 1992 Summer Olympics. The 4.6km circuit quickly established itself as an acid test of a Formula 1 car's ability, with an abundance of long-radius high-speed corners, rapid changes of direction, and extreme stress placed upon the tires. A well-balanced package, and confidence in the front end of the car, is vital for drivers to complete a strong lap around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Teams and drivers are well versed with the nuances of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the venue having the third-longest unbroken spell on the Formula 1 schedule, while it has been a regular test track through its existence. Nevertheless, it is set to be one of the last Formula 1 events at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with Spain's grand prix poised to relocate to a new track in Madrid, effective 2026. But the focus here and now is on maximum performance at one of the championship's most-used tracks as Formula 1 begins its first triple-header of the 2024 season.
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen both have an abundance of experience of Barcelona from Spain's annual grand prix and days of pre- and in-season testing. Hulkenberg has entered 10 Spanish grands prix, taking a highest result of sixth in 2017, a result which eight-time Spanish Grand Prix starter Magnussen replicated for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team in 2018.
Official Reserve Driver Oliver Bearman will return to the VF-24 for the second of his six planned FP1 outings in 2024. Ferrari Driver Academy member Bearman will replace Hulkenberg for the opening 60-minute session.
Ayao Komatsu - Team Principal: "Spain is the first circuit since we introduced our upgrades which has proper high-speed corners, so I'm really looking forward to assessing our update at that circuit and see what it's like. We have Bearman joining us again for FP1, this time in place of Nico, so he can continue from where he left off in Imola. A triple-header is always pretty tough, thankfully a lot of our team is UK-based so it helps that the last race of this triple is in the UK, but it is still very hard. It's getting to that point of the season where everybody's feeling it, so it's very important that we look after ourselves to be able to perform at our best, to be efficient and focused, especially on the back of two events where our trackside operations weren't the best. We can't let that happen, so we need to look at ourselves and see how we can operate at our best."
Nico Hulkenberg: "It's one of the classic circuits we've been going to over the years. It's obviously a very high-speed circuit and I think it's going to be very hot there this year, it used to be the first race of the European season. I expect there's going to be very hot, Spanish, temperatures. The vibes in Barcelona and the Spanish lifestyle are pretty cool and go well with a fun race. I like triple-headers, we've known them now for a few years and June is that month when things get quite busy."
Kevin Magnussen: "It's one of the most well-known tracks for all the drivers, probably the track I've done most laps of out of them all. It's a good track, lots of high-speed corners there, and can be quite difficult to overtake. It's become better, the track is more enjoyable after they've removed the last chicane and that's also helped overtaking a little bit, so hopefully we can be competitive there. It's a triple-header, but it's nice to be in the European part of the season, it's all familiar surroundings, short flights and no jet lag."
The tenth round of the season is a "hard" event for Formula 1. As usual, the Spanish Grand Prix takes place at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, which is one of the most technically demanding tracks for the cars and also for the tyres. Therefore, it's no surprise that once again for this event, Pirelli has chosen its three hardest 2024 dry tyre compounds - C1 as Hard, C2 as Medium and C3 as Soft, the same three selected for the opening round of the year in Bahrain.
The track is one of the most complete of any circuit in the world, not just those on the Formula 1 calendar, in terms of the challenges it presents. Apart from its straights, it boasts every possible type of corner, with some of them, such as turn 3 and the combination of 13 and 14 which lead onto the main straight, taken at very high speeds. The lateral forces exerted on the tyres, especially on the left-hand side of the car are particularly high, partly because nine of the 14 turns are to the right.
For many years, this circuit was home to winter testing for the teams and also marked the start of the European part of the season, which also signified the arrival of the first major upgrades of the year. Recently, changes to pre-season testing and the calendar mean this is no longer the case, but Barcelona is still a probing test, met with trepidation by all the teams because - and in this case the cliché is true - if a car is competitive here, it should be quick at all types of track.
In 2023, the original configuration, used since 1991 when this track first appeared on the Formula 1 calendar, was reinstated. It was changed in 2007 with the insertion of a chicane before the final corner, with the aim of creating another overtaking opportunity, but this did not materialise. In fact, the removal of the chicane, combined with the aerodynamic configuration of the current cars has seen an increase in overtaking here so that last year this track went from being midrange in terms of passing opportunities to one of the top four.
This year's race takes place three weeks later than in 2023 so it could be hotter and that could add another factor to tyre management. This thermal issue could put the C3 at a disadvantage, whereas last year that compound had been quite competitive even in the race, chosen by 16 of the 20 drivers for the first stint.
In terms of strategy, a two-stop should be the quickest option with all compounds possibly coming into play. If degradation is higher, then even a three-stop might be feasible, especially as last year's race proved that overtaking is easier than in the past.
Another consideration at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit is the importance of qualifying. In no fewer than 24 races here, the pole sitter has gone on to be first past the chequered flag and adding to the importance of this statistic is that on four other occasions the driver who was quickest in qualifying retired from the race.
After the Miami Grand Prix, this weekend is the second of the year in which all four championships for which Pirelli is the sole tyre supplier will be on track. Apart from Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3, Barcelona hosts the third round of the all-women F1 Academy series, now in its second season.
This year's race is the 54th edition of the Spanish Grand Prix, the 34th to be held at the current venue. It first appeared on the calendar in 1951, becoming a permanent fixture in 1986. The Montmelo track is the fifth to host this Grand Prix: previously it was held at two street circuits in the capital of Catalunya, twice at Pedralbes and four times at Montjuic. It was also run at the permanent venues of Jarama on the outskirts of Madrid (nine times) and at Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia (five times). Spain has also hosted a further seven rounds of the world championship, all of them going by the name of the European Grand Prix: in 1994 and 1997 at Jerez and from 2008 to 2012 on the Valencia street circuit.
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are the most successful drivers at the Spanish Grand Prix, with six wins apiece, while a win in the 1994 European Grand Prix makes Schumacher the most successful when it comes to F1 races on Spanish soil. The German also heads the table for pole positions on 7, fastest race laps (7) and podium finishes (12). Of the constructors, Ferrari leads the way with 12 wins, 14 pole positions and 38 podium finishes.
