Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Posted on June 19, 2024 Tags: Formula One
Spanish track ‘a wind tunnel’
SPAIN’S CIRCUIT de BARCELONA-CATALUNYA, venue for this weekend’s F1 Grand Prix, is recognised as one of the most complete of any circuit in the world.
In terms of the challenges it presents, that’s not just those on the Formula 1 calendar, according to Pirelli, F1’s Tyre ‘Maestro’.
The circuit is “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”.
And, if you you’ve never been fortunate enough to have visited the City of Barcelona, you’re missing one of the true Wonders of this great planet of ours!
Barcelona – the City of Dreams
F1 commentator and 1996 world champ Damon Hill has likened the Barcelona circuit to “a wind tunnel”.
Apart from its straights, Barcelona 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 lefthand side of the car are particularly high, partly because nine of the 14 turns are to the right.
“Hard” Challenge in Barcelona
It’s no surprise Pirelli has opted for its three hardest 2024 dry tyre compounds – C1 as Hard, C2 as Medium and C3 as Soft – the same as the three selected for the Bahrain season opener.
The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, venue for Round 10 of the 24-event F1 World Championship, is recognised as one of the most technically demanding tracks for the cars – as well as the tyres!
Father and Son – F1 World Champions
Damon’s Dad was the charismatic British World champ Graham Hill (pictured, above) who was F1 World Champion in 1962, and again in 1968. His victories included prestigious races like the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He died in a plane crash, aged 46.
Son Damon Hill (pictured left) was no slouch himself, winning the 1996 F1 World Championship with Williams. His impressive record includes 22 F1 victories in a career starting with Brabham in 1992, then Williams and Arrows before finishing up with the Jordan team in 1999.
Barcelona – the Ultimate Test
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Despite George Russell’s Canadian Grand Prix podium in Montreal, Damon Hill reckons Barcelona is the ultimate test.
And how Mercedes, George and teammate Lewis Hamilton manage the upgraded W15 through the “Barcelona wind tunnel” this weekend should reveal the true story.
Canada proved to be Mercedes best result of the F1 2024 season after George miraculously stuck his Merc on pole position before racing his way home to third, passing teammate Lewis in the process.
With Lewis finishing fourth the German marque snaffled an invaluable 28 championship – their biggest haul of the 2024 season.
Nevertheless, Mercedes remains a distant fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
And Max Verstappen was sublime in Montreal, seemingly against the odds.
Montreal an Outlier Track?
Damon Hill referred to the Canadian Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as an “outlier” track while the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was a more traditional high-downforce circuit!
{As close as I can figure, an outlier is an inconsistency}.
He told the Sky F1 podcast:
“The car looked like it wasn’t skittish, and it wasn’t porpoising, and it did look like he could use a bit of kerb. So, they’re comfortable, they’re happy.
“The new front wing (which was on both cars for the first time in Montreal) seems to have been the trick that seems to have harmonised all the aerodynamics, brought about some performance.”
“But it is an outlier track, Canada. To go with that [car] to Barcelona … that will be the ultimate test of their progress.
“Barcelona is really just like a wind tunnel. It is pure aero, medium-to-high speed everywhere.
“It seems amazing, doesn’t it? But it has been a long time since they had a car that looked anything like a car that they could campaign with and the drivers were happy.
“Lewis, notably, was very, very happy. It’s not the first time. He did say he was very happy in a few FP sessions and Fridays and stuff, and then it seemed to kind of fade away when it got to qualifying.
“But George did a great job with the car he had to get pole position. How long has it been since they had a pole at Mercedes? The car looked good on the track.
“How long has it been since they had a pole at Mercedes?” Damon asked.
It was, in fact, back at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix when Lewis secured pole by a mere 0.003 seconds at the Hungaroring, marking the Brit’s record-extending 104th F1 pole position. And his first since December 2021!
Max Verstappen dominated that event – his seventh consecutive race win of the season – setting a new F1 record with Red Bull achieving 12 victories in a row.
And Damon Hill reckons Barcelona will be Mercedes’ big challenge.
“That will be the ultimate test of their progress.”
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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.
Although the forecast suggests there might be some rain about and it’s a lot cooler than might be expected for a Spanish summer!
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.
While the importance of qualifying is always paramount, it’s worth noting in no fewer than 24 races at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, the pole sitter has been first past the chequered flag.
And on four other occasions here, the driver who was quickest in qualifying retired from the race.
F1 Academy Back on Track
Support categories for Spain are F2, F3 and the third round of the all-women F1 Academy series, now in its second season.
Race weekend for Round two in Florida was super special for F1 Academy 2024 points leader Abbi Pulling, as the Alpine driver put together an almighty performance throughout.
Abbi now has a a substantial 34-point buffer to French star Doriane Pin (pictured left) in the Drivers’ Standings, the Briton is steadfast in fully focussing on this weekend in Spain at the tough Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
After the Miami Grand Prix, this is the second of the year in which all four championships for which Pirelli is the sole tyre supplier will be on track.
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton are the most successful drivers at the Spanish Grand Prix, with six wins apiece.
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.
SPANISH GRAND PRIX
NB: WST (PERTH) Time
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | 21 – 23 June
P1 Friday 21st June 19:30
P2 Friday 21st June 23:00
P3 Saturday 22nd June 18:30
Qualifying Saturday 22nd June 22:00
RACE Sunday 23rd June 21:00
EDITED by AC
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