SPANISH GP

7-9 May 2021 Circuit de Barcelona-catalunya

THE MAIN EVENT

Few things in Formula 1 say “business as usual” quite as much as Barcelona in early May. The return of the Spanish Grand Prix to its usual slot feels like another small step in the general direction of normality – although this year, of course, F1’s teams will assemble here without the benefit of six days of pre-season testing at the same venue.

The Spanish GP traditionally kicks off the first European leg of the season and is the race at which the majority of teams deploy their first major upgrade packages. This year is slightly different in that F1 has shifted back to Europe early, with rounds in Italy and Portugal, so a handful of teams may already have brought car updates. In fact, since the most competitive outfits are looking to taper early in favour of development for 2022, this may be one of the last grands prix to feature new components…

2020 RACE RECAP

Only three drivers finished on the lead lap as Lewis Hamilton won from pole by a crushing 24-second margin. His Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas had lined up second on the grid but made a poor start which dropped him to fourth.

Bottas found himself stuck behind the Mercedes-clone Racing Point of Lance Stroll and it took until lap five for him to get by using DRS, by which time Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen were too far up the road. Verstappen, for his part, was only clinging on, lacking the pace to challenge the dominant Mercedes.

KEY CORNER: TURN 10 Modified in 2004 to reduce speeds because of limited run-off, this sharp left-hander has been rounded off. Shifting the emphasis from braking towards conservation of momentum may affect laptime.

RACE DATA

Circuit name Circuit de Barcelona-catalunya

First grand prix 1991 Number of laps 66

Circuit length 2.904 miles Race distance 191.646 miles Longest straight 0.81 miles Elevation change 87.9 feet Lap record 1m18.183s, Valtteri Bottas (before T10 changes)

F1 races held 30

Winners from pole 22

Pirelli compounds C1, C2, C3

CAR PERFORMANCE Downforce level High Cooling requirement Medium Full throttle 64.4%

Top speed 200mph Average speed 119mph

TIMETABLE

(UK TIME)

Friday 7 May Practice 1 10:30-11:30 Practice 2 14:00-15:00 Saturday 8 May Practice 3 11:00-12:00 Qualifying 14:00-15:00 Sunday 9 May Race 14:00

Live coverage Sky Sports F1 Highlights Channel 4