Formula-1. What to expect from the Grand Prix of Spain: announcement and a prognosis of a race in Barcelona | Formula 1

Already this weekend will take place the third in a row and the ninth stage of the formula-1 season-2025-the Grand Prix of Spain.

From May 30 to June 1, the next winner of the F-1 race will be determined on the Catalouna highway near the solar Barcelona. The champion decided to deal with the main intrigues and interests on the eve of the ninth stage of the Queen of Motor Sports.

Historical reference

The Grand Prix of Spain has one of the longest stories in the world of vehicles. For the first time, the races on the Iberian Peninsula were held back in 1913 on the road near Madrid.

In the second in the history of the Formula-1 championship in 1951, Spain was on the calendar and won it by none other than the legendary Juan-Manuel Fanchio on his alpha Romeo.

Further, with small breaks for the season 1952-1953, 1955-1966, as well as 1982-1985, the stage of the Grand Prix of Spain always found a place in the F-1 racing schedule. Even the Covid-19, through which many stages were abolished, did not prevent the arrival near Barcelona.

And since 2026, Spain will accept two stages of « Queen of Motor Sports ». In addition to the traditional Grand Prix in Barcelona, ​​a race on the city highway in Madrid will be added to the calendar.

Although this is not the first time that Spain takes two F-1 stages in one year. In the period from 2008 to 2012, the route in Valencia was used to hold the Grand Prix of Europe.

Stage Records in Spain

Currently, it can be stated that all records in Spain belong to Ferrari. It was Skuderia’s riders, former Michael Schumacher, and the current Lewis Hamilton won the most victories at this stage – 6.

The closest to them was Red Bull Max Ferstappen, who won four times in Spain – three times in the last three races.

Among the teams, the largest first places are Ferrari’s account-12. The closest were Mercedes out of 9 (some were obtained not within the Formula-1 Championship) and Williams from McLaren-8.

It should be noted that the four riders won their first victory at the Grand Prix of Spain: Niki Lauda (1974), Job Mass (1975), Pastor Maldonado (2012) and Max Ferstappen (2016).

The configuration of the track

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been built within the 1992 Olympic Game Development Program in Barcelona.

The first construction brick was laid in 1989, and the first races took place within the 1991 Spain Championship in 1991.

Pilots love Barcelona-Catlonia, which has been a traditional formula-1 pre-season test for many years.

The route is a good combination of speed and slow turns. Almost the only place where riders conduct overtakes are a start-up line, although there are two DRS activation areas on the track, but the first is more likely to catch the opponent before traveling a long straight line.

Since the first race in 1991, the route has undergone several modifications, especially in the final part, to create opportunities for overtaking.

For example, in 2007, a very slow chic was created before the last turn, which led to a significant increase in the time of passing the circle for more than four seconds.

In 2023, the original configuration was restored, the last two turns were connected to ensure a much faster entrance to the Pete Lane, one of the longest in the calendar.

During the race, the pilots overcome 66 circles of the route 4.657 kilometers with 14 turns (eight right and six on the left), which creates a total arrival distance of 307.236 km.

The record circle of the race was demonstrated by Red Bull Max Ferstapppen in 2023 – 1: 16,330, although the most likely the circle in history showed Lando Norris in the qualification last year – 1: 11,383.

Favorites and intrigues of the Grand Prix of Spain

After the start of the season and the strange (at least) Monaco Grand Prix with two mandatory Spanish Grand-Strokes seems to be the most interesting in terms of intrigue since the beginning of the 20125 season.

The fact is that the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has introduced a technical directive to limit the use of flexible front wings, which will enter into force at the Grand Prix of Spain.

These changes are intended to reduce the aerodynamic benefits that teams receive through the use of these « wings ». According to many, these changes are made to reduce the advantage of McLaren cars over others.

Considering that the changes were announced before the seventh stage in Imola, the teams have already begun to adapt their cars to the new rules and may have given Ferrari such positive results in Monaco (first second place in the season for Charles Lecler).

Mercedes toto Wolf Mercedes He stated directlythat this directive will be most in favor of the Italian team, but who will suffer the most – is unclear now. Everything will be clear after the stage in Barcelona.

There is a feeling that the overall picture in the championship will not change – McLaren will be the first, then Max Ferstapppen on his Red Bully and Mercedes from Ferrari.

The distribution of forces in a group of middle -aged and outsiders may be different, and the difference between leaders will be reduced.

However, it is difficult for qualification in Spain to predict how these changes will affect the further struggle for the title, given that we have now overcome only a third of the season – 8 races out of 24.

However, the greatest intrigue for me is the question: will the Grand Prix of Spain be a turning point in the struggle of Lando Norris and Oscar Pastri?

After the British victory in Monaco, the difference between partners who share 1-2 place in the overall standings is only three points.

For Norris, Spain can finally come forward in the race for the title, and Piastri will hold on to his leadership.

Once in a similar situation, two friends of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg came to Barcelona, ​​who fought for the title of formula-1 2016. Everyone remembers what it has ended – the double east and the first victory of Max Ferstappen in his career (since then no one has won in Spain except the Dutch and Hamilton).

Perhaps the Grand Prix of Spain will demonstrate what has been unclear for a long time-Mclarene will lead one pilot to the championship or risk, allowing partners to fight for victory.

These new rules can help other leaders’ races to cling to the highest places, if the « Papaya » is not determined by the team leader.

Tires, strategies and weather in Spain

The last two stages of Formula-1 were accompanied by the smallest set of Pirelli rubber, but in Spain everything will be the opposite. The Italian manufacturer will bring the most rigid rubber configuration to Barcelona – C1 (hard), C2 (Midium), C3 (soft).

Due to the high asphalt temperature last year, pilots used a strategy of two sweatshirts, which can be expected in the Sunday race this season.

Weather forecast in Mesmal, where the route is located, does not promise extreme weather or at least minimal rains. Friday and Saturday should be clear sunshine and +31° C and on Sunday predict +32° C and cloudy sky.

Pirelli

Champion forecast

It is too easy to put on Mclarene, so let’s try to predict problems in the Papai because of the internal struggle what Max Ferstapppen will take advantage of the internal struggle and wins the fourth in a row of race in Spain.

Also, one of the outsiders should win the change of the Regulation, and someone to lose, so another forecast will be that Fernando Alonso will finally earn points in the season. The Spanish legend of the vehicle does not deserve to be at the end of the pilot standings with zero in the column earned.

Spain Grand Prix Schedule

Friday, May 30

14:30 – 15:30. The first practice
18:00 – 19:00. The second practice

Saturday, May 31

13:30 – 14:30. Third practice
17:00 – 18:00. Qualification

Sunday, June 1

16:00. Race

Where to look

Setanta Sports Ukraine+ and OTT-platform Setanta Sports will show a direct broadcast of the Setanta Sports TV in Ukraine.