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Tyres NorthamptonWhat better time for a triple-whammy of F1 action, too, after the incredible Canadian GP, where three drivers led and fought for the win. Max Verstappen took victory, but Lando Norris and George Russell each came close as McLaren continued to excel and Mercedes advanced. With Ferrari suffering an abysmal weekend after their Monaco masterclass and set to bounce back, four teams are in the hunt as F1's European tour resumes.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is famous for being an all-round test for F1 teams. The undulating track sees every type of corner, with the long sweeping Turn 3, the mid-speed Turn 10, and the tight Turn 5 all challenging the aerodynamic and mechanical grip. If your car is quick here, it'll be fast everywhere, so teams bringing upgrade packages will cross their fingers for a good result.
Last year saw the removal of a chicane ahead of the final corner, and the consequence was far more action than the circuit typically had provided. The 107 overtakes included a fierce fight between Ferrari and Mercedes for the best-of-the-rest result while Verstappen streaked clear out front. The 20 cars are better at closely following the driver in front than in recent years, too. Might the pass-or-be-passed fights continue into a battle for the 2024 win?
It's been four weeks since F1 raced in Europe after the sport's brief Canadian break, and the development race usually intensifies as the continent hosts its summer grands prix. The quicker turnaround of parts thanks to shorter logistics times might see a further shake-up of the order. RB, for example, have confirmed a sizeable aerodynamic upgrade, and many other teams will undoubtedly bring some, too.
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It's the hardest three tyre options for only the second time in 2024, as Pirelli provides the teams with the C1, C2, and C3 rubber. The long and fast corners in the first and last sectors put the left tyres under extreme load, so durability is crucial for the drivers to maximise their Spanish performances.
It's likely to be a two-stop strategy, but with the race coming three weeks later than 2023's edition, higher temperatures could see different Pirelli compounds in use. After the unpredictable weather in Montreal, this weekend should see F1 escape any wet tyre confusion, although there is a chance of rain in the hours before Sunday's race.
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There's an argument that nearly half the grid could walk away from Barcelona with the winner's trophy. Verstappen leads the championship and has won two of the past four races, but neither victory was as comfortable as he's had it in recent years. With Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris taking the other two, each driver will want to capitalise on that recent success for more triumphs.
Don't forget Carlos Sainz, either. The Spaniard was the first 'alternate' winner in 2024 after his post-appendicitis Australian GP win and will hope to be the home hero in his final Ferrari season. Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez is seeking to halt a run of two DNFs and is yet to win in 2024, while Norris' McLaren stablemate Oscar Piastri will want to take his first-ever F1 win, too.
Yet it's Mercedes where a lot of attention will focus after Lewis Hamilton and George Russell's team finally looked capable of challenging for wins in an otherwise disappointing 2024 season. Spain was where they excelled in 2023, and Toto Wolff's team will seek to repeat that double-podium success in 2024.
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The upcoming seven F1 rounds are all in Europe and will see early-to-mid afternoon Sunday start times. Spain's race begins at 2 PM, with Qualifying on Saturday at 3 PM.
Qualifying – On air: 2:15 PM, Session start: 3 PM Saturday 22nd June
Race – On air: 12:30 PM, Session start: 2 PM Sunday 23rd June
Qualifying – Highlights: 6:30 PM Saturday 22nd June
Race – Highlights: 6:30 PM Sunday 23rd June
Qualifying/Race – It's the perfect summer weather that sees so many flock to Spain on Friday and Saturday, with highs of 26°C, but Sunday's 60% chance of morning rain cools the temperatures to around 22°C for lights out.