Explore the high-speed dynamics of the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, where Red Bull might stage a major comeback or face unexpected challenges.
After an American interlude in Canada, F1 returns to Europe this weekend for the Spanish Grand Prix, the tenth round of the 2024 season. After winning on a circuit that seemed less than ideal for his Red Bull RB20, can Max Verstappen secure a larger advantage?
The Spanish Grand Prix has been successful for him in recent years, and it is also the site of his first win in 2016, which was also his debut race with Red Bull Racing. Most importantly, it could mark his return to form after a few more challenging races.
Despite Red Bull’s struggles, Verstappen has won two of the last four races, and he and his team maintain a lead in the championship as mid-season approaches rapidly.
The Circuit
While the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is well known to the teams and drivers due to the countless testing sessions held there, familiarity does not breed contempt given the myriad of factors to consider over 4,700 meters.
It combines high, medium, and low-speed curves. The first two sectors are fast before a slow final section where the rear tires begin to overheat due to traction. Managing the temperatures of the rear tires is key to a great lap time. Enough life must be preserved to exit the last corner as quickly as possible and launch into the kilometer-long straight at full speed.
T1-T2 – A fast section and a direction change just as fast to navigate the bumpy chicane where the car can be destabilized. The first corner is one of the few where overtaking is possible on braking.
T3 – To achieve a fast lap, the driver must maintain good speed out of T2 while holding the ideal line on the long straight of T3. The high speeds impose enormous pressures on the tires, especially the front left. Overtaking is possible, but it requires bravery and daring as it might be negotiated flat out.
T5-T9 – With its camber on braking, the driver can easily lock the front left wheel. The bumps also contribute to the challenge, but the curb on exit is quite wide. Traction is tested. Turns 7 and 8 require good handling before attacking T9 without letting up.
T10 – The dynamics from the previous sequence can allow for an overtaking attempt in the tight left of La Caixa. On exit, traction is crucial before challenging the sequence of turns from 11 to 15.
T13 – Goodbye to the slow sequence that created gaps between the cars before the last corner and the long straight: F1 reverts to the circuit configuration as it was until 2006, with two fast turns to conclude the lap.
T14 – A good car is crucial to optimize the long pit straight. If it’s swallowed full throttle in qualifications, a compromise for entry speed is mandatory in race due to fuel loads and tire degradation.
Contenders
Verstappen could thus be the favorite at this Spanish Grand Prix, with a Red Bull that should appreciate the track’s layout, and the curbs mostly less aggressive than those of previous circuits.
In qualifications, no doubt Red Bull will still face challenges, especially if Sergio Pérez continues to be eliminated before Q3. In this case, Verstappen will have a harder task in the race.
McLaren, Ferrari, and perhaps Mercedes could share the spoils, with each team having been the main threat at different times in recent meets. Aston Martin remains an unknown but should be closer to the follower pack, along with RB F1 and Haas.
Spanish Grand Prix Timetable
In Barcelona, the schedule mirrors that of Monaco, with the Spanish Grand Prix events taking place in the afternoon. Qualifications are set for 16:00 and the race at 15:00 on Sunday.
- Friday, June 21
12:30-1:30: Free Practice 1
4:00-5:00: Free Practice 2
- Saturday, June 22
11:30-12:30: Free Practice 3
3:00-4:00: Qualifications
- Sunday, June 23
2:00-4:00: Race
Spanish Grand Prix Winners
| Year | Winner | Team | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2022 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2021 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2020 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2019 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2018 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2017 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2016 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2015 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2014 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2013 | Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2012 | Pastor Maldonado | Williams | Renault |
| 2011 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2010 | Mark Webber | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2009 | Jenson Button | Brawn GP | Mercedes |
| 2008 | Kimi Räikkönen | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2007 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2006 | Fernando Alonso | Renault | Renault |
| 2005 | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 2004 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2003 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2002 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2001 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2000 | Mika Häkkinen | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 1999 | Mika Häkkinen | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 1998 | Mika Häkkinen | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 1997 | Jacques Villeneuve | Williams | Renault |
| 1996 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1995 | Michael Schumacher | Benetton | Renault |
| 1994 | Damon Hill | Williams | Renault |
| 1993 | Alain Prost | Williams | Renault |
| 1992 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | Renault |
| 1991 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | Renault |
| 1990 | Alain Prost | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1989 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren | Honda |
| 1988 | Alain Prost | McLaren | Honda |
| 1987 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | Honda |
| 1986 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | Renault |
| 1981 | Gilles Villeneuve | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1979 | Patrick Depailler | Ligier | Ford |
| 1978 | Mario Andretti | Lotus | Ford |
| 1977 | Mario Andretti | Lotus | Ford |
| 1976 | James Hunt | McLaren | Ford |
| 1975 | Jochen Mass | McLaren | Ford |
| 1974 | Niki Lauda | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1973 | Emerson Fittipaldi | Lotus | Ford |
| 1972 | Emerson Fittipaldi | Lotus | Ford |
| 1971 | Jackie Stewart | Tyrrell | Ford |
| 1970 | Jackie Stewart | March | Ford |
| 1969 | Jackie Stewart | Matra | Ford |
| 1968 | Graham Hill | Lotus | Ford |
| 1954 | Mike Hawthorn | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1951 | Juan Manuel Fangio | Alfa Romeo | Alfa Romeo |
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Presentation and Timetable of the 2024 Spanish GP F1 Presentation and Timetable of the 2024 Spanish GP F1
