On the same weekend, PSG won its first Champions League football title, while DS Penske scored its first double in the Formula E world championship with a meticulously crafted victory by Max Gunther and a smart race by Jean-Eric Vergne, resulting in an unprecedented victory for the Franco-American team. Despite a spanner in the works caused by the weather on Saturday night, race directors adjusted the schedule to avoid the heaviest rain, eventually queuing up electric cars on the pit straight by 7 AM. The final practice session before qualifying,…
BővebbenCategory: Autosport
Revving Rivals: McLaren’s anticipation of Red Bull’s fierce competition at the F1 Spanish Grand Prix
McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andrea Stella explained why he expected Red Bull to be closer in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix despite the FIA’s front wing flexing regulations. The decreased tolerance for front wing flexing didn’t reduce McLaren’s advantage as expected, with McLaren showing strength even on an unfavorable circuit layout. Stella stated that the impact of the front wing modifications unfolded as McLaren anticipated, with the team’s performance being vindicated. Despite Red Bull’s good balance in Barcelona, they lacked grip, leading to a disappointing qualifying session for…
BővebbenInside the Racing World: The Unyielding Role of Stroll and Aston Martin in F1’s Spanish Grand Prix
Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll withdrew from the Spanish Grand Prix due to pain in his hand and wrist following a cycling accident and subsequent medical procedure ahead of the 2023 season. There was no time to find a replacement once the decision was made. The team’s reserve drivers, Felipe Drugovich and Valtteri Bottas, could not be slotted in due to strict sporting regulations limiting driver changes. Article 32.1 and 32.2 of the regulations outline the specific guidelines for driver changes during a season. Stroll’s withdrawal was announced after…
BővebbenUnleashing the Power of Hard Compounds: Russell’s Key to Success in the Sizzling Spanish GP
In the development of its W16 for 2025, Mercedes has maintained its weak point from last season – poor thermal management, especially at the rear axle. Despite being advantageous in colder races, as seen in the 2024 Las Vegas race, high temperatures pose a risk of tire overheating for Mercedes. During FP2, both Mercedes drivers did long stints on soft tires to find a setup that prevents excessive tire degradation on race day. George Russell expressed concern about Mercedes’ race pace based on their qualifying performance in Barcelona, while hoping…
BővebbenUnlocking Leclerc’s Strategic Edge: The Potential Game-Changer in F1 Spanish GP
In recent years, the Spanish Grand Prix has shed its reputation for dull and processional racing, though the change has been modest. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a fixture since 1991, has become slightly less familiar to teams after the cessation of pre-season testing at the venue, leading to reduced data on tire usage. A new technical directive has tightened the scrutiny on aero-elastic front wings, aimed at curbing balance shifts and aiding in tire degradation – though the impact on performance has been marginal. The demanding nature of the track,…
BővebbenRacing setback: Stroll sidelined from Spanish GP by hand injury
Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll will miss the Spanish Grand Prix due to hand and wrist pain from a past injury. Stroll encountered pain in his right hand and wrist following a cycling accident before the 2023 season. He will undergo surgery to address the discomfort related to his previous injury. Stroll had qualified 14th but will not race tomorrow to focus on recovery. It remains uncertain if he will be ready for the Canadian Grand Prix. Stroll’s absence marks a setback after his impressive start to the season…
BővebbenLeclerc’s Admirable Accountability: Embracing Responsibility in F1 Spanish GP Qualifying
Charles Leclerc made strategic tire decisions that resulted in a seventh-place start at the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, below expectations but aiming for better race performance. Despite burning through an extra set of tires in Q1 and opting to save one new set for the race, Leclerc’s one run in Q3 left him vulnerable to improvements from other drivers who moved ahead on the grid. Leclerc took full responsibility for the qualifying outcome, acknowledging that with two sets in Q3, he might have found more time. He prioritized having…
BővebbenPiastri’s Triumph: Overcoming Norris to Claim Pole Position in F1 Spanish GP Qualifying
There was just 0.011s between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the close of the first sector of their final runs in Q3. In visual terms, that’s barely an amoeba’s reach between them as the McLaren duo dueled for a much-coveted Spanish Grand Prix pole in Barcelona. The smallest of margins grew as Piastri’s lap developed, resulting in Norris facing a 0.209s deficit as the Australian built up the lead with a final flourish of pace. Norris had already set a benchmark for Piastri during the final runs of Q3,…
BővebbenNorris Reflects on Setbacks in Thrilling Spanish GP Qualifying Battle
Lando Norris attributed losing pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix to “too many mistakes” on his final qualifying lap, allowing his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to claim the top spot. Despite initially leading Piastri in Q3 by 0.017s, Norris made two critical errors in his final run, resulting in a time that fell short and allowed Piastri to secure pole by 0.209s. Norris acknowledged his shortcomings in Turn 1 and the exit of Turn 4, admitting they hindered his overall performance and gave Piastri the advantage. Despite the disappointment,…
BővebbenHamilton: New flexi-wing rules “a waste of money”
Lewis Hamilton believes that forcing teams to develop new wings following Formula 1’s tighter wing flex tests at the Spanish Grand Prix was “a waste of money.” Before the Barcelona weekend, there were expectations that McLaren and Mercedes would close in on Red Bull and Ferrari due to new front wings. Teams like McLaren and Mercedes were suspected of exploiting wing flex to balance speed performance in different corners. Even though a 5mm flex reduction was introduced, it was found during practice that the rule changes had little impact. Hamilton…
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