Canada’s thrilling race livened up the 2024 season, and Components One heads to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for race 10.

Spain marks the beginning of the triple header, and a return to Europe with Austria and the British Grand Prix to observe.

Components One first got here to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in 1991 when the circuit was constructed for the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. It is also the house race for Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, and one which drivers love, having spent a few years of winter testing right here.

Newest information

Since 2026 laws have been revealed final outing in Montreal, the eye has been turned in direction of how these will have an effect on F1 within the new period.

The FIA has adjusted the minimal age for F1, which paves the way in which for Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to make his debut earlier than his 18th birthday later this summer time.

Sticking with the motive force market, there are a variety of drivers but to safe drives for 2025, together with Sainz who’s rumoured to have had discussions with Sauber and Williams however his future has not but been decided. Keep tuned for updates from ESPN reporters Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson throughout the weekend.

Is F1 again to being thrilling? The crew analyse what is going on on within the newest episode of Unlapped — take heed to the podcast.

Circuit stats & historical past

The primary race on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in 1991 supplied one among its most iconic battles as Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna fought for second place early within the race. With sparks flying from the underside of the automobiles, Mansell handed Senna into Flip One, just for Senna to regain the place within the pits and lose it once more when he spun a couple of laps later. Mansell went on to win the race with one other daring overtake on Gerhard Berger at Flip One.

Michael Schumacher’s first victory with Ferrari got here at a soaking moist Spanish Grand Prix in 1996. In a automobile that was a great distance off the tempo of the dominant Williams within the dry, he mastered the situations to select his method via the sector from sixth at first and win by over 45 seconds.

The fierce rivalry between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton got here to a head on the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix when the Mercedes teammates collided on the opening lap at Flip 4. The 2 drivers blamed one another whereas the crew blamed them each, including to tensions already constructing inside Mercedes throughout one among its most dominant durations in F1. Max Verstappen took benefit of the scenario and received the race on his debut for Crimson Bull.

Laps: 66 laps of 4.6km. Whole distance – 307km.

Lap report: 1:16.330 – Max Verstappen (2023)

Most wins: Hamilton and Schumacher are tied on six wins at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Of the remaining present grid, Verstappen has three (2016, 2022, 2023), Alonso has two (2006, 2013).

Most poles: Schumacher has seven (1994-1995, 2000-2004), whereas Hamilton is one behind on six (2014, 2016-2018, 2020-2021). Of the remaining present grid, Verstappen (2023), Alonso (2006), Charles Leclerc (2022), Valtteri Bottas (2019), all have one.

What occurred final yr

A routine victory for Verstappen got here as no shock because the Dutch driver notched up his fortieth profession win after main each lap.

There was a glimmer of hope for Mercedes, which crammed second and third place on the rostrum following a current improve to its automobile, however it proved to be a false daybreak within the crew’s improvement programme and, in the end, its excessive level of the season.

Ferrari struggled, with Sainz dropping from second on the grid to fifth on the end and Leclerc qualifying nineteenth and failing to characteristic within the prime ten within the race.

Who’s going to win?

A return to a purpose-built race monitor with high-speed corners ought to favour championship leaders Crimson Bull, making Verstappen the motive force to beat in Spain.

The restrictions of the RB20’s suspension have been uncovered over kerbs and bumps at current rounds, however the format of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya ought to play to its strengths in quick corners.

The relative efficiency of the Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes ought to give a great indication of how aggressive the second half of the season will likely be among the many prime groups.

The right way to watch the GP

Watch on ESPNEWS and ESPN+ (U.S. solely).

Dwell broadcast protection within the U.Okay. is on Sky Sports activities F1, and BBC Radio 5 Dwell, with Sunday’s highlights on Channel 4.

For information, evaluation and updates, observe the protection with ESPN’s F1 crew Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson in Barcelona.

Friday, June 21
Free apply one – 12:30-13:30 BST / 13:30-14:30 CEST (Central European summer season)
Free apply two – 16:00-17:00 BST / 17:00-18:00 CEST.

Saturday, June 22
Free apply three – 11:30-12:30 BST / 12:30-13:30 CEST
Qualifying – 15:00-16:00 BST / 16:00-17:00 CEST.

Sunday, June 23
Race begins – 14:00 BST / 15:00 CEST.

How the championships look

Verstappen continues to guide the drivers’ championship with 194 factors, 56 forward of Leclerc in second. In the meantime Lando Norris has closed the hole behind the Ferrari driver to only seven factors.

Crimson Bull additionally lead the constructors’ championship, however Ferrari are solely 49 factors behind.

Ferrari and McLaren are the one different groups to have received races this yr, and having eaten into Crimson Bull’s dominance, extra victories and constant podiums may see them shut that deficit additional.

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