Formula One paddock moves to Spain this weekend for the first European race of the year. The Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya is considered to be very representative of all the tracks Formula One visits, making it an ideal facility for testing. The track has only two sub-100 kph turns, and the layout’s mix of medium- and high-speed corners allows teams to gauge their car’s aerodynamic efficiency.
Teams spent two weeks testing at the circuit prior to the start of the season. However, familiarity does not lessen the challenge for teams and their drivers. The track’s mix of corners, along with its abrasive surface, makes for a physically and mechanically demanding race. Tire wear is high, which means teams will have to make a minimum of two pit stops.
The track is one of four Formula One locations with ties to the Olympics. The venue was the site of the start/finish line for the road team time trial cycling event when Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Tyres: soft, medium, hard
DRS: main straight, back straight
Driver Steward: Tom Kristensen
Weather: lows will range from 14-15 degrees Celsius to highs of 22-23 degrees Celsius
Facts and stats
Circuit length: 4.6 km
Turns: 16
Direction: clockwise
Race laps: 66
First Grand Prix: 1991
Lap record: 1:21.670 (Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari, 2008)
2016 Qualifying: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2016 Race: 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari), 3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Timetable (GMT +2):
Friday 12 May
Practice One: 10:00 – 11:30
Practice Two: 14:00 – 15:30
Saturday 13 May
Practice Three: 11:00 – 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00 (60 minutes)
Sunday 14 May
Race: 14:00 (66 laps or two hours)
