2.1 meters per second (4.6 miles per hour) from variable directions.
Temperature
9 °C (48 °F), with a dew-point at 3 °C (37 °F)
Pressure
1024 hPa (30.24 inHg ).
Humidity
66.0%
Clouds
no clouds below 1500 meter (5000 feet) and no cumulonimbus clouds
Visibility
greater than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles)
The Circuit de Catalunya is a racetrack in Montmelo, to the north of Barcelona, Spain. It is home to the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix and the motorcycle Catalonia Grand Prix. With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Catalunya is seen as an all-rounder circuit. As such it is probably one of the sport’s most important testing grounds. The wind direction at the circuit can change drastically during the day, a significant factor given the importance of aerodynamics to modern Formula One cars. It is then hard to find a good setup since cars can have massive aerodynamic drag and understeer on one part of the circuit in the morning, but suffer oversteer at the same part of the circuit in the afternoon. A given tyre compound can work well when tested, but not so well a couple of months later. These changeable conditions can make for an unexpected performances from some teams during the race.
The Spanish Grand Prix has changed venues several times over its long history. It was held four times at the Montjuich Park street circuit but safety concerns after the disastrous 1975 event led to its demise, and thereafter the race was held at Jarama and Jerez. The flowing 4.655km Circuit de Catalunya track just outside Barcelona has been the venue since 1991. It was seen as an important part of Barcelona’s build-up to the following year’s Olympic Games.
The circuit is typical of a high downforce F1 circuit, featuring a mixture of corner speeds and types, but has been neutered somewhat since the last race in 2006 by the addition of a chicane. Now, instead of defined turns 14 and 15, two of the fastest corners on the calendar, there’s a new complex that slows the rhythm of the lap.
Nevertheless, the chicane still presents its own challenge with a blind entry and perhaps a better chance to overtake on the following straight. As a result, the circuit is now quite hard on brakes and remains tough on tyres.
Thanks largely to Michael Schumacher, Ferrari has been the most successful team at Barcelona, with seven wins in 18 attempts. Williams has won five times, McLaren three and Benetton/Renault twice.
Fisi’s View
I enjoy going to Barcelona as it’s good to get back to Europe, with the tracks we know very well. I also posted two fastest race laps there in 1997 and 2005, so I feel comfortable on the circuit.
Barcelona is itself a nice track. We know it very well as we do a lot of days there in winter testing. There are a couple of interesting corners such as one and two and a few quick corners like turns three and nine.
There’s a hairpin in first or second gear at turn 10 and at the exit there is quite a lot of wheelspin, which makes it very difficult for the tyres. Unfortunately the new chicane at 14 and 15 disturbs the rhythm of the lap, so it’s not as exciting as it was a couple of years ago when the last two corners were very difficult. It’s always good to get back to Europe though - a good result there sets you up for the start of the European season.
