Spanish GP: What do we know?
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya offers a little bit of everything. Barcelona is a technically challenging circuit with 16 corners – nine right-handers and seven left-handers, many elevation changes and a 1050m straight. However, despite being more difficult to overtake, Barcelona has provided some iconic moments over its lifetime. Just look at 2016.
It’s a track that the grid is quite familiar with as a frequent testing destination. Still, the Spaniards like to keep us guessing with various circuit configurations over the years – the most recent modification occurred ahead of the race in 2021, with Turn 10 redesigned into a longer, wider left-hander.
Here is what we know so far about the upcoming race weekend.
De Vries to run in FP1 for Williams
Instead of Alex Albon, Mercedes reserve driver Nyck de Vries will take part in the first practice for the Spanish Grand Prix for the Williams Formula 1 team.
Every team must use two Friday sessions for a rookie driver during the season, according to the 2022 rules.
De Vries, who shares the Mercedes reserve driver’s seat with Stoffel Vandoorne, has already driven an F1 car for Mercedes at the post-season Abu Dhabi Grand Prix test last year.
He is currently driving for the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team in the 2021-22 Formula E season.
Will we see a step forward for Mercedes?
This year’s first pre-season test was held in Barcelona, which is why the Spanish Grand Prix is so important for Mercedes. Mercedes used a traditional sidepod design during that three-day event before presenting its ‘zero pod’ design in Bahrain.
Mercedes has been the third-fastest team this year with their current car, which was introduced with excitement during the second test in Bahrain but has so far failed to impress.
Because of their lack of speed, some have speculated that Mercedes should ditch the W13 design and return to the Barcelona test standard, which proved to be considerably more consistent.
Porpoising has troubled Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in their W13. However, the team appeared to make a breakthrough in Friday practise for the Miami Grand Prix. Still, it reverted to its previous position in qualifying and the race.
Ferrari’s first upgrade
After their championship rival Red Bull’s car development showed results, Ferrari is ready to unveil its first big upgrade package at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Ferrari leads both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles after five races of the 2022 season but has been beaten by Red Bull in two successive grand prix for the first time this season.
Max Verstappen won the Emilia Romagna and Miami Grands Prix, cutting Charles Leclerc’s championship lead to 19 points and reducing Ferrari’s team lead to six points.
So far, the two teams have chosen quite different approaches to development.
Red Bull has incorporated aerodynamic and weight-saving changes since new sidepods, and a new floor were introduced during pre-season testing. In contrast, Ferrari has scarcely modified its car since a new floor was introduced during pre-season testing.
Given the budget constraint, Red Bull’s early development rate is apparently unsustainable. Ferrari has openly stated this, but Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is aware that they need to improve and make enhancements to retain the pace.
That will happen at the upcoming race in Spain. Ferrari is expected to introduce significant changes, including a new floor that will enable Ferrari run the car lower and decrease porpoising.
