SpanishGrand Prix

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is one of the most recognisable tracks on the calendar. Not only has it been host to Formula 1 since 1991, but it has also been home to plenty of pre-season testing over the years. It’s a circuit most teams and drivers know well, and is also a regular addition on other motorsport calendars such as MotoGP and Touring Car Championships.

It’s had a few changes and tweaks in recent years, but the current circuit length is 4.655km with 14 turns. There is a good mix of high- and low-speed corners, hence why it’s so popular for testing, both for teams and our tyre supplier Pirelli. Your best chance to spot an overtake is down at Turn 1, as the drivers enter one of two DRS zones, and speed down the start-finish straight. We’ve seen Lewis make several successful passes for the lead at the first turn!

The stress on tyres is high here, and will often result in several different strategies up and down the grid. The previous two wins here have seen both a three-stop and two-stop strategy, respectively, with Mercedes achieving several victories here as a result of our excellent calls from the pit wall.

Last year, the final part of the circuit had changes which saw the removal of the chicane back to its original layout. This popular decision also made for a much more flowing last sector.

Despite being on the calendar since the early ‘90s, the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit is set to be replaced by Madrid as the home of the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026. The deal, which was announced at the start of this year, will see Formula 1 race around the FEMA exhibition centre in the country’s capital until at least 2035.