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 Grand Prix holds the distinction of being won by 10 drivers in the last 11 seasons and tends to be where teams bring their first car upgrades of the season.
In the context of winter testing, Toro Rosso Honda know they can get their car to work on this circuit. Given the team’s mixed luck and a super-competitive midfield it’s anyone’s guess whether they will. It should be reasonable to expect one car to score points here.
Elsewhere on the grid, there is virtually no light between Mercedes and Ferrari as constructors and drivers points races remain tight. If the Red Bull drivers have a clean race, they could be a serious threat on this circuit which puts as much emphasis on chassis as it does power. Force India will strive to battle Renault and find out whether their podium in Baku was a fluke and if they have any hope of returning to fourth position in the constructor’s championship (of course Renault will try keep that from happening). Despite a couple races with odd luck, Haas will look to reestablish itself as dominant contender to lead the midfield battle and regain points it missed out on in the first races. McLaren could end up anywhere in the midfield but will likely need some help from other teams to be at the top. Sauber and Williams can be expected be bringing up the rear.
US TV SCHEDULE:
Practice 1 – Friday, May 11 5:00 AM –
ESPNU
Practice 2 – Friday, May 11 9:00 AM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Saturday, May 12 6:00 AM –
ESPNEWS
Qualifying – Saturday, May 12 9:00 AM – ESPN2
Qualifying Encore – Sunday, May 13 7.00am-8.30am – ESPN2
On The Grid – Sunday, May 13 – 8.30am-9.05am – ESPN2
Race – Sunday, May 13 – 9.05am-11am – ESPN2
Encore – Sunday, May 13 – 7.30pm-10pm – ESPN2
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
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
2018 tyres: Medium, Soft, Supersoft (2017: Medium, Soft, Supersoft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2017 RESULTS:
Laps: 66
Pole: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:19.149
Fast race lap: Danil Kvyat, Torro Rosso, 1:23.593
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
3. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
CURRENT
STANDINGS:
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 70
2. Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 66
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Scuderia Ferrari, 48
4. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 40
5. Daniel Ricciardo, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 37
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren Renault, 28
7. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1, 22
8. Max Verstappen, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 18
9. Sergio Perez, Force India, 15
10. Carlos Sainz Jr, Renault Sport F1, 13
Constructors
1. Scuderia Ferrari, 114
2. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 111
3. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 55
4. McLaren Renault, 36
5. Renault Sport F1, 35
6. Force India, 16
7. Toro Rosso, 13
8. Haas, 11
9. Alfa Romeo Sauber, 10
10. Williams Martini Racing, 4
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