Posted on 8th May 2014
TRACK TALK – CIRCUIT DE CATALUNYA (Barcelona)
Laser Cut circuit by www.grahamandleigh.co.uk
11th May 2014
The Facts:
Lap – 4.655km
Race Laps: 66
Race distance 307.23 km
Lap Record: 1:21.670 K Raikkonen Ferrari (2008)
2013 Winner: Fernando Alonso
Race Date: 11.05.2014
Safety Car – Possible
Weather – Warm & Sunny
Tyre Allocation -Medium & Hard
DRS Zones: Pit straight and backstraight, with separate detection points.
The Circuit.
The Circuit de Catalunya is a very popular venue among the F1 teams, drivers and fans. It's a well known layout as this circuit is used for winter testing, the teams have plenty of knowledge about the car setup, but it can still be a challenge.
With two long straights, it's a very fast circuit with some quick corners too. The first sector of the lap here is immense, turns 2 and 3 are both flat out and it's incredible to watch the cars through this section of the circuit.
The track flows well, and it's mighty quick. Overtaking is possible around the circuit and there are numerous points around the lap where a move can be made, so hopefully we should get some exciting action.
As the Formula 1 circus moves into Europe for the first time in 2014, we will be seeing plenty of major updates and new parts brought to this event. The development of the cars began back in China, but traditionally here in Spain it will become much more frequent and in depth as all the teams have their plans in place.
Home favourite Fernando Alonso will be looking to impress in front of his fans, and Ferrari may be a real force this weekend. They are the most successful constructor in Spanish GP history having won 12 times, 8 of which were at this circuit, Alonso of course having won last year.
The first Spanish Grand Prix was held at the Pedralbes street circuit in Barcelona in 1951, and it has been held at several different circuits before moving to the Circuit de Catalunya in 1991, where it has remained ever since.
For the second time this season, after Malaysia, Pirelli are bringing the hardest two tyres in their range to the Spanish GP. The orange-marked hard tyre will serve as the weekend’s ‘prime’ rubber and the white-marked medium the ‘option’ choice.
‘The Montmelo circuit is well known for putting high-energy loads through the tyres, while ambient temperatures can also be notable at the Spanish Grand Prix,’ Pirelli explained. ‘Tarmac roughness is quite high, and the tyres on the left-hand side are particularly stressed.’
Keep up to date during the race by following us on Twitter @Drivin4Pleasure we will be tweeting live.
Sky F1 Coverage
Friday 9th May
8:45am – Spanish GP Practice One – Live!
11am – GP2 Practice – Live!
12:45pm – Spanish GP Practice Two – Live!
2:50pm – GP2 Qualifying – Live!
Saturday 10th May
8:45am – GP3 Qualifying – Live!
9:45am – Spanish GP Practice Three – Live!
12pm – Spanish GP Qualifying – Live!
2:35pm – GP2 Feature Race – Live!
Sunday 11th May
8:20am – GP3 Race Two – Live!
9:30am – GP2 Sprint Race – Live!
11:30am – The 2014 Spanish GP – Track Parade – Live!
12pm – The 2014 Spanish GP – Race – Live! !
3:30pm – The 2014 Spanish GP – Paddock Live!
6pm – Spanish GP highlights.
