Formula One preview: Spanish Grand Prix
- Rohan Brown
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Written by Rohan Brown, Edited by Meghana Sree
Formula One heads to the iconic Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this week, for what may end up being the penultimate Spanish Grand Prix to be hosted here. This is a circuit characterised by the various demands it places on the car - previously being a staple venue for F1 testing.
Last year’s race was shaped by Lando Norris’s hunt down of Max Verstappen, with the final gap between them when the chequered flag fell being only 2.2 seconds. The two drivers were engaged in a fascinating battle where Norris gained tenths per lap but fell short, and Verstappen ended up on top - claiming his seventh victory of the 2024 season.
The circuit
Originally built as a part of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics development programme, the track acted as the start and finish line for the road team trial cycling event. It then began to host the F1 Spanish Grand Prix in 1991, replacing Circuito de Jerez.
With a length of 4.6 kilometres (2.8 miles) the current layout of Barcelona-Catalunya offers a mix of corner types - and is a great way of evaluating the pace of all ten teams (making it a crucial race weekend). Having a car that can perform well at this track means it can perform well on most other circuits on the F1 calendar.
The key overtaking zone is the main straight leading into Turn 1. The combination of the high-speed 14th corner and long DRS (Drag Reduction System) straight allows cars ample opportunities for overtaking into the heavy braking zone of Turn 1.
These overtaking opportunities mean that this circuit has played host to numerous victors over the years, with no repeat winners between 2007 to 2016.
One of these winners was Pastor Maldonado, who managed to secure Williams’s last victory till date. He is also the most recent driver to win a Grand Prix who isn’t from the top four teams, as well as it being Maldonado’s only win.
Regardless of these notable moments, it remains crucial to qualify highly around this circuit, especially because drivers starting from pole position have won 24 out of the 34 total races Barcelona-Catalunya has hosted in F1.
Storylines
How will the new flexi-wing tests shape up the F1 grid?
This change will be a major point of discussion going into this weekend, as many within the F1 paddock view this new directive as potentially changing the season. Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur has hoped that this will cause a shakeup in the championship pecking order.
However, Vasseur also commented: “The guy who will lead the championship in Spain will still lead the championship after Spain, but, in terms of the pure performance, it could be a game changer”. Therefore, this Technical Directive could be highly impactful this season, but in the long term it is yet to be seen how it will affect the rest of the season.
A new unique winner at Barcelona-Catalunya?
Amidst Verstappen’s four wins, as well as Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher’s tied record of six wins at the circuit, there have undoubtedly been unique victors here.
With this being a track that tests the capability of the cars in numerous ways, an outsider win for a driver like Fernando Alonso would mean that he would be the seventh driver to have won at home four times in Spain.
Although almost unfathomable but inarguably a long-shot possibility, considering the current F1 grid order, we will have to see whether this is truly feasible.
Another record-breaking Grand Prix at Barcelona-Catalunya?
In the 34 years that Barcelona-Catalunya has been on the calendar, there have been many records set and broken. Considering that this will be the 1,134th ever F1 Grand Prix, the 62nd time F1 has raced in Spain and 35th time F1 has raced at this circuit, there are many records to be broken in the 75th season of the sport.
Notable ones include if Red Bull secure pole position, it would be their 107th in F1 - equalling the amount of Lotus as the fifth most pole positions by a team. Additionally, a podium finish for Verstappen would see him surpass Schumacher as the driver with the most podiums with a single constructor [team].
These records will be something to look out for this race weekend, especially in this record-breaking anniversary for F1.
Piastri or Norris: who will come out on top?
Without a doubt the overarching narrative of the 2025 season, the competition between Oscar Piastri and Norris is a rivalry that has evidently changed race-by-race.
In terms of this week’s track, Norris has a respectable record - with four points-finishes (within that one podium) so far. As for Piastri, he has one point-finish out of his two Grands Prix at Barcelona-Catalunya thus far.
It will certainly be close between the two McLaren drivers, but Norris’s experience means he may have the best chance of beating his teammate and getting one step closer to the Drivers’ Championship.
Will Max Verstappen continue to be an outside challenger?
Despite the RB21 proving to be a baptism of fire for his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen continues to show why he is a four-time Drivers’ Champion, and has been a key challenger to the dominant McLarens this season.
He could continue to be the main rival, especially due to the qualifying record he boasts at Barcelona-Catalunya - in the ten Spanish Grands Prix he has competed in throughout his career, he has qualified in the top five in all but one.
Therefore, the Dutch driver could be the one to pick up the pieces again from the dominant outfit - just like he did in 2016 to win his first ever race after the crash between then title rivals Nico Rosberg and Hamilton. History can always repeat itself.
Past winners
Around this circuit in previous years, there have been many race winners. In the 1990s there were six different winners: Nigel Mansell (1991-1992), Alain Prost (1993), Damon Hill (1994), Schumacher (1995-1996), Jacques Villeneuve (1997) and Mika Häkkinen (1998-1999).
More recently, Hamilton (2014, 2017-2021) and Verstappen (2016, 2022-2024) have been the most successful drivers, however other drivers such as Rosberg (2015) and Valtteri Bottas (2019) have tasted victory too.
Winner picks
Oscar Piastri
The current championship leader has shown how his cold-headed approach and consistency are the reasons why he may be the newest Australian Drivers’ Champion since Alan Jones in 1980.
Alongside his championship challenge, Piastri has become one of the most effective drivers in F1. He has finished in the points in the last 25 Grands Prix, a streak that rivals drivers such as Kimi Räikkönen (27 consecutive points scoring race) and title rival Verstappen (29 consecutive points scoring races).
This record highlights how consistent Piastri has been so far this season, so the Australian driver will be ready to capitalise on any situation that may occur in the race.
Lando Norris
Not far behind championship leader and teammate Piastri, Norris has been able to represent how he is also a strong candidate to win his first championship.
In the qualifying and Grand Prix head-to-head, Norris is equal with his teammate - but is down 9 to 15 in the qualifying sector head-to-head (how many times each driver has set a faster sector then their teammate). Whilst it is a close battle, it is one Norris has proven he can claim victory out of.
If Norris can have a successful Saturday, it will set him up to claim what he couldn’t last year, his next victory and first ever in Spain.
Max Verstappen
Verstappen has established himself as a great in the sport, best reflected by his many successes over the years. His unquestionable success around this track might just make him the best driver to challenge the dominance of the two McLarens, as impactful events aren’t alien to this track.
Notes
The FIA are introducing a new Technical Directive that will monitor the level of the front-wing’s flex (flex refers to how the front-wing moves depending on the aerodynamic load put on the car). This move will see the level be reduced from 15 millimetres to 10 millimetres.
As for most successful engine manufacturers at this circuit, Ferrari and Mercedes each have 12 wins.
A notable fact, DNFs have been non-existent in the last two years.
Furthermore, this is the home race of Carlos Sainz and Alonso.
Session start times (in BST)
Practice 1 -12:30-13:30
Practice 2 - 16:00-17:00
Practice 3 - 11:30-12:30
Qualifying - 15:00-16:00
Race - 14:00
