A quick stroll across the Mediterranean takes the Formula One paddock to its next stop on the calendar, the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix. Here's how to watch the race and all the information.
Image credit: Red Bull Content Pool
Last weekend, rain caused havoc in the 80th running of the Monaco Grand Prix. But with the Formula One circus hot-tailing around the Mediterranean for back-to-back weekends in Southern Europe, teams will be hoping for a simpler event. In fact, F1 heads to Spain this week for the Spanish Grand Prix on the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.
An atypical Spanish Grand Prix compared to the last decade or so of runnings, expect this next stop on the calendar to test the teams more than usual. Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, including how to watch the race.
As a result of this change to proceedings, the current 2023 Formula One cars have never run on the circuit, meaning engineers are severely lacking the data they are used to. Whilst a lot of the information from last year's event will be used in for the new cars, that won't help teams with heavily revised cars like Mercedes and Aston Martin. Whereas Free Practice in Barcelona is rarely interesting given the masses of data the teams usually have, this year is sure to see more laps on Friday.
Not only will this lack of data impact Friday's proceedings, it should also allow for more variety in race-day strategies. In fact, with so much information on tyre degredation, fuel usage, aero wash and heat levels, teams knw exactly what to expect in the race. But with that information now irrelevant, one may see differing strategies, something race fans always crave.
Thankfully, it has been announced that, after moving to a faster Turn 10 last year, the circuit is foregoing the clumsy lap-ending chicane of old. Instead, the cars will fly almost flat-out through a pair of sweeping right-handers at the end of the lap. This is a layout used in the past which required great commitment and impressive downforce levels.
The hope is that not only will the change make qualifying a more entertaining spectacle, it will also aid drivers in making overtakes. Getting rid of the chicane means there will no longer be a bottle neck on the way onto the main straight. Cars will now get closer before the front straight and be able to make moves into the best passing opportunity on the circuit, Turn 1.
Whereas previous editions of the Spanish Grand Prix have held a reputation for a lack of action, this year's race should be different.
This week however, Formula One and Sky made a major announcement concerning race coverage from Hungary onwards. No, it's not the free coverage the F1 community dreams of. Instead, the pair announced the debut of F1 Juniors, a Formula One race broadcast designed for children. Featuring special sound effects and young presenters, the idea is to make younger viewers feel more welcome. The project will go live for the first time during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend at the end of July.
To make sure you don't miss anything, here are the session times to look out for over the weekend:
Free Practice 2: 17:00 - 18:00 CET
Qualifying: 16:00 - 17:00 CET
Image credit: Red Bull Content Pool
Last weekend, rain caused havoc in the 80th running of the Monaco Grand Prix. But with the Formula One circus hot-tailing around the Mediterranean for back-to-back weekends in Southern Europe, teams will be hoping for a simpler event. In fact, F1 heads to Spain this week for the Spanish Grand Prix on the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.
An atypical Spanish Grand Prix compared to the last decade or so of runnings, expect this next stop on the calendar to test the teams more than usual. Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, including how to watch the race.
Lacking information
It is true that the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix will be a far different event to previous runnings of the event. In fact, pre-season testing has traditionally taken place at the Circuit de Catalunya. However, for the first time in seemingly decades, the track didn't host any winter sessions this year. Instead, the paddock flew directly to Bahrain for pre-season testing and the first round of the season.As a result of this change to proceedings, the current 2023 Formula One cars have never run on the circuit, meaning engineers are severely lacking the data they are used to. Whilst a lot of the information from last year's event will be used in for the new cars, that won't help teams with heavily revised cars like Mercedes and Aston Martin. Whereas Free Practice in Barcelona is rarely interesting given the masses of data the teams usually have, this year is sure to see more laps on Friday.
Not only will this lack of data impact Friday's proceedings, it should also allow for more variety in race-day strategies. In fact, with so much information on tyre degredation, fuel usage, aero wash and heat levels, teams knw exactly what to expect in the race. But with that information now irrelevant, one may see differing strategies, something race fans always crave.
A new-old layout
For over ten years now, the Spanish Grand Prix has been run on an altered layout to its original design. Implementing a slow Turn 10 hairpin running into a sequence of tight, low-speed corners, fans and drivers alike hated the modernised Catalunya layout.Thankfully, it has been announced that, after moving to a faster Turn 10 last year, the circuit is foregoing the clumsy lap-ending chicane of old. Instead, the cars will fly almost flat-out through a pair of sweeping right-handers at the end of the lap. This is a layout used in the past which required great commitment and impressive downforce levels.
The hope is that not only will the change make qualifying a more entertaining spectacle, it will also aid drivers in making overtakes. Getting rid of the chicane means there will no longer be a bottle neck on the way onto the main straight. Cars will now get closer before the front straight and be able to make moves into the best passing opportunity on the circuit, Turn 1.
Whereas previous editions of the Spanish Grand Prix have held a reputation for a lack of action, this year's race should be different.
How to watch the Spanish GP
With that in mind, this is certainly a Spanish Grand Prix you won't want to miss. The easiest way to keep up to speed with all the on-track action is through the F1 TV app. However, being unavailable in many countries, one will most likely have to watch on TV, as is the case with the UK. In the UK, Sky Sports F1 will as ever be showing all the sessions live. Channel 4 will provide free-to-watch highlights packages of qualifying and the race.This week however, Formula One and Sky made a major announcement concerning race coverage from Hungary onwards. No, it's not the free coverage the F1 community dreams of. Instead, the pair announced the debut of F1 Juniors, a Formula One race broadcast designed for children. Featuring special sound effects and young presenters, the idea is to make younger viewers feel more welcome. The project will go live for the first time during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend at the end of July.
To make sure you don't miss anything, here are the session times to look out for over the weekend:
Friday:
Free Practice 1: 13:30 - 14:30 CETFree Practice 2: 17:00 - 18:00 CET
Saturday:
Free Practice 3: 12:30 - 13:30 CETQualifying: 16:00 - 17:00 CET
