Spain – sanity back to F1
Posted on May 29, 2025
But I still enjoy Monaco
WHATEVER YOU MIGHT THINK of last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, it certainly was not a good look for the Formula One. But Spain is a totally different prospect!
Quite simply, the mandatory pit two-stop introduced by the FIA to overcome last year’s procession simply didn’t work. And it allowed some drivers to use slowdown tactics that did not display the sport in a good light.
Last year’s Monaco Grand Prix ended after 78 laps with the top ten cars as they were on the grid, with not a single change of position as the drivers were given a free tyre change during an early red flag.
To combat that this year, Formula 1’s governing body implemented a mandatory two-stop strategy.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work.
“Effective Strategy for Teams”
As PlanetF1.com reported:
“Instead of inspiring on-track action, it slowed it down even further as the likes of Racing Bulls and Williams used their second driver on the track as a rear-gunner to back up the cars behind to make a gap for their team-mate to pit.
“The team-mate then returned the favour, with Racing Bulls and Williams securing double points.
“It was an effective strategy for the teams, but it did not put the Monaco race in a positive light.“
And, as we well know, F1 is all about team points which equate to many, many millions of dollars which get ploughed back into the system.
Regardless, despite its failings as a race track, I still enjoy the Monaco F1 Grand Prix!
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is the governing body of Formula 1, responsible for setting and enforcing the sport’s regulations. It oversees everything from technical and sporting rules to safety standards and race officiating. The FIA ensures fair competition, manages disputes, and works on improving sustainability and innovation in motorsport. Essentially, they keep F1 running smoothly.
And I reckon they do a pretty good job.
Monaco’s contract runs through 2031
Ralf Schumacher (pictured left), who claimed a solitary Monaco Grand Prix during his 11 years on the Formula 1 grid, questioned how much longer the race – despite its contract – can justify its place on the F1 calendar.
“If this continues,” he told Sky Deutschland, “at some point it will actually mean the end of the Grand Prix, because the spectators will no longer accept it. A race like this must not happen again.”
Ralf also tallied six F1 wins.
This sort of publicity would not sit well with Sovereign Prince of Monaco Albert 11, who is justifiably proud of his wonderland.
Just as he is of Monégasque Charles Leclerc, who won Monaco in 2024 and was second this year.
And this saga has a long way to play out.
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
This week we’re heading south to the glorious city of Barcelona, where a great many of its population are very unhappy about the increasing number of tourists who “invade” their hallowed turf every summer.
But they do love their Formula One and the Spanish Grand Prix they have hosted every year since 1991 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya situated in Montmeló, a municipality in the Vallès Oriental, within the greater metropolitan area.
After the disappointment that was the outcome of racing through the tight and winding streets of beautiful Monaco, it’ll be an eagerly awaited event for the F1 train as the track truly is one of the most complete in offering a full range of technical challenges.
During the race, drivers tackle 66 laps of the 4.657km circuit features 14 corners – eight to the right and six to the left – with the highest downforce corners at turns 3 and 9, both right handers.
Hardest tyres back for Spain
In the 34 years since that that inaugural race, the classic F1 track has undergone several modifications, especially in the final section, with various attempts made to create overtaking opportunities.
For example, in 2007, a very slow chicane was created before the last corner, which led to a significant increase in lap time of more than four seconds.
In 2023, the original configuration was restored, with the final two corners linked to make for a much faster entry onto the pit straight, one of the longest on the F1 calendar at 1km.
New FIA tweaks this weekend
After last weekend’s less than successful tweak, a new FIA technical directive comes into play in Spain concerning the flexibility of the wings, which some experts reckon could influence car performance.
Barcelona has traditionally been the track where teams bring significant updates specifically to test them on what is such a demanding circuit.
And it’s not only is it challenging for the cars, it also places high demands on the tyres.
Which is why it was one of the most popular tracks for testing, on the basis that if a car works well here it does so everywhere.
Let’s hope that this weekend bring much more joy to us all.
The Compounds
After two consecutive rounds featuring the softest trio in the 2025 range, as usual Pirelli has chosen the hardest, namely the C1 as Hard, the C2 as Medium and the C3 as Soft.
The three compounds have been revised since last year, especially the C2, making the performance gaps between them more equidistant. That could lead to the Medium and Soft being favoured for the race.
The forces exerted on the tyres are medium to high, because of the many fast corners, such as turn 3 and the final two, both righthanders. The corner of the car subjected to the greatest stress is the front left, as right hand turns are in the majority.
For years now a two-stop strategy has been pretty much a given at Montmelò and last year’s race was no exception.
All drivers, with the exception of Alex Albon, starting from pit lane on the Medium, lined up on the grid on the Soft for the first stint. 12 drivers used all three available compounds, leaving the Hard for the final stint,
The top three finishers, winner Max Verstappen followed by Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, were on a second set of Softs when they took the chequered flag.
Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
The weather is delightful in Spain this time of the year.
And Ralf Schumacher’s brother Michael and Lewis Hamilton both have the greatest number of wins in the Spanish Grand Prix, on six apiece.
Michael has the most poles (7) followed by Lewis on six, and they both top the list of podium finishes with 12.
Of the teams, Ferrari has 12 Spanish GP wins to its name, as well as two European victories in Valencia. The Maranello team also has the most pole positions and podium finishes, 14 and 38 respectively.
Four drivers took their maiden win at the Spanish Grand Prix: Niki Lauda (1974), Jochen Mass (1975), Pastor Maldonado (2012) and Max Verstappen 2016).
RACE SCHEDULE
Perth Time
SPANISH GRAND PRIX
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya I 30 May – 01 June
P1 Friday 30th May 19:30
P2 Friday 30th May 23:00
P3 Saturday 31st May 18:30
QUALIFYING
Saturday 31st May 22:00
RACE
Sunday 1st June 21:00
NEXT EVENT
CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
Circuit de Giles Villeneuve I 16 June – 20 June
EDITED by AC
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