The European triple header involves an finish with the Spanish Grand Prix, the place a regulation change may effectively shake up the Formulation 1 grid.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has hosted the occasion since 1991 and — after some format tweaks to assist overtaking — continues to be a favorite of the groups and drivers, with its mixture of corners and straights an excellent check of a automobile’s strengths.
Including to the intrigue this 12 months is a regulation change on flexi-wings, which many predict may shrink McLaren’s benefit out in entrance, and produce Ferrari again into the aggressive equation.
As normal in Spain, the climate guarantees to be very nice certainly, with 26°C forecast for qualifying and 29°C temperatures predicted for race day.
Now, try the last word preview to the weekend forward…
Soar to a bit: Circuit historical past & stats | 2024 race | race predictions | methods to watch | championship standings
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Circuit stats and historical past
The Spanish GP has been a frequent fixture on the F1 calendar since its inception however since 1991 it has completely been held on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which was constructed that very same 12 months forward of the 1992 Olympics.
The format has been modified through the years — La Caixa nook modified in 2004 whereas the chicane earlier than the ultimate nook was eliminated in 2023 — however it has all the time been a clean, flowing circuit, with overtaking alternatives on the primary straight.
Whereas wheel-to-wheel racing remains to be tough as a result of excessive downforce required by means of the corners, the observe has nonetheless given us some classics.
Nigel Mansell, Gerhard Berger and Ayrton Senna delivered a gripping battle for the win — received by the Brit — within the circuit’s debut whereas in 2012, Pastor Maldonado took a shock victory for Williams. Probably the most memorable occasions, in the meantime, got here in 2016, when Max Verstappen claimed an unbelievable win in his very first race for Purple Bull.
First F1 race: 1991
Lap document: 1:16.330, Max Verstappen (2023)
Most wins: Michael Schumacher (1995-96, 2001-2004) and Lewis Hamilton (2014, 2017-2021) with six. Different winners from the present grid:
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Max Verstappen (2016, 2022-2024)
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Fernando Alonso (2006, 2013)
Most poles: Michael Schumacher with seven (1994-1995, 2000-2004). Pole sitters from the present grid:
What makes it particular: A traditional F1 testing venue, with an emphasis on high-speed corners that threaten to reveal aerodynamic weaknesses.
What the drivers say about it: “This observe checks each a part of the automobile. It is a correct benchmark circuit.” — Carlos Sainz
What occurred final 12 months?
Verstappen received his third straight Spanish GP final 12 months, and reasonably comfortably too.
The Dutchman handed pole sitter Norris into Flip One after which George Russell a few laps later earlier than easing dwelling to victory that continued his superb begin to what was finally a title-winning marketing campaign.
Who will win?
On kind this 12 months, the whole lot factors to McLaren; the Woking crew has proved to have the quickest automobile on the circuits that blend excessive and low downforce corners, like Bahrain.
However — and it is a large however — no one is aware of what this new regulation change will do to the order, and McLaren is predicted to be handicapped greater than most.
Nonetheless, it will be daring to again anybody else regardless of Verstappen’s kind on the circuit, and we’ll go for a rejuvenated Norris to win his first race in Spain.
How the championships look
Norris continues to shut on Oscar Piastri after his Monaco GP victory; the hole between the 2 McLarens is simply three factors.
Verstappen could be very a lot nonetheless in what’s already trying like a three-way struggle for the championship, 25 factors adrift of the lead.
When it comes to the constructors’, McLaren proceed to surge clear and have greater than double the factors of the subsequent closest rival, Mercedes. It’s extremely shut behind, with Purple Bull (143 factors) and Ferrari (142 factors) simply behind the Silver Arrows.
Find out how to watch the GP
For followers within the U.S. solely, watch on ESPN and ESPN+.
Within the U.Okay. reside broadcast protection is on Sky Sports activities F1 and BBC Radio 5 Stay.
For information, evaluation and updates, observe the protection with ESPN’s F1 crew Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson in Barcelona and on social media.
Session occasions under in BST (British Summer season Time). Native time (Central European Summer season Time) + 1 hour.
Friday
Free observe one: 12:30-13:30 BST
Free observe two: 16:00-17:00 BST
Saturday
Free observe three: 11:30-12:30 BST
Qualifying: 15:00-16:00 BST
Sunday
Race begins: 14:00 BST (reside textual content commentary build-up from 13:15 BST on ESPN.co.uk).
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