Formula 1 heads to Spain this weekend to race at Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, a track that is acutely familiar to drivers as it is the home of winter testing. This circuit offers a little bit of everything in terms of challenges leaving what can happen during races anyone’s guess.
Coming off of a good result in Russia, McLaren Honda go into Spain with significant chassis upgrades slated to be introduced in a hope to take another chunk out of their gap to the leaders. These updates include a new floor, wings, and other bodywork. With a track that is more technical and a presumed benefit from new parts it is possible we may see both cars in the points on their own merit.
Elsewhere on the grid things are finally starting to get more interesting between Mercedes and Ferrari because, while the latter still has the advantage, they are being pushed into having reliability issues by Ferrari (who are having their own reliability issues). Other big news is Max Verstappen’s mid-season promotion to Red Bull while Danil Kvyat was demoted to Torro Rosso. Expect Williams to be in the mix for a podium now that they seem to be gaining their footing.
US TV SCHEDULE:
Practice 1, Friday May 13th, 4AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Practice 2, Friday May 13th, 8AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Practice 3, Saturday May 14th, 5AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Qualifying, Saturday May 14th, 8AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Race, Sunday May 15th, 7:00AM,
NBCSN
CIRCUIT
INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 4.655km (2.892 miles)
Race laps: 66
Race distance: 307.104km (190.826 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’21.670 (205.192 kph) by Kimi Raikkonen, 2008
Fastest lap: 1’19.954 (209.596 kph) by Rubens Barrichello, 2009
Maximum speed: 318kph (197.596 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Pit straight and straight after Campsa
Car performance
Full throttle: 67%
Longest flat-out section: 1310m
Downforce level: High
Fuel use per lap: 1.7kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.051s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 18.471s by Ferrari
2015 prime tyre: Hard (2014: Hard)
2015 option tyre: Medium (2014: Medium)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2015 (V6
TURBO
ERA
) RESULTS:
Laps: 66
Pole: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
Fast race lap: 1:28.270
Podium
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
3. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
CURRENT
STANDINGS:
Drivers
1. Nico Rosberg, 100
2. Lewis Hamilton, 57
3. Kimi Raikkonen, 43
Constructors
1. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas F1 Team, 157
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 76
3. Red Bull Racing, 57
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