Latest news with #CircuitdeBarcelona
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Formula One chiefs announce major update to 2026 calendar
The 2026 Formula One season will feature a rare Saturday race after the FIA announced an update to the calendar. Azerbaijan is the 17th race of the 24-race season and all team have been informed of the move. It comes after the Azerbaijan race promoter and government stakeholders formally requested the change of date. The official update also provided fans with confirmation of the dates of the three pre-season sessions. Test one will be a private event and will take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya between January 26-30.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fernando Alonso: F1 cannot lose Barcelona after 2026
While Barcelona technically has a contract to host a Formula 1 race next season, this weekend's grand prix is being treated as a swansong by many with Madrid set to join the calendar from 2026. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has played host to the Spanish Grand Prix since relocating from Jerez in 1991 and has become a firm favourite for teams, who have racked up hours of testing time around its 14 corners. Advertisement However, with F1 bosses pushing for more investment in infrastructure and traffic management, in particular, falling on deaf ears, they have elected to sign up Madrid instead, with Spain's capital set to host a street circuit race around the 'Madring'. Not since 1981 has Madrid been a destination on the F1 calendar, with the new circuit signing a deal until 2035 – although it is due to come into effect from next year, when Barcelona is still also slated to host a race. It is unlikely, given the packed schedule and with nations queuing up for a race, that both Spanish cities will stage grand prix in the same year – but unlike Imola, which hosted its last race for the foreseeable future a fortnight ago – two key drivers seem to be more keen to remain in Catalonia. Two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso has twice won his home race and maintains that Barcelona will keep its place. Advertisement 'I don't think that we will lose Barcelona. So that's my opinion and my wish as well,' the Aston Martin driver said. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images 'I think it's good to have new venues. It's good to have new countries as well that Formula 1 has moved to in the last decade. But at the same time, we need to keep some traditional circuits where the history of Formula 1 has been written and made. 'I think Formula 1 and Barcelona are very linked. We've been testing here for decades. I think all the teams choose Barcelona when they have to choose one test track. We come back next year here in winter because we have new regulations, new cars, and again, once again, the teams chose Barcelona because it's the Formula 1 track in a way. Advertisement 'I think the circuit has made some changes to make it up to Formula 1 standards. So in the last two or three years, all the paddock facilities, the grandstands, everything has taken a new level. And Barcelona has been here for the last two or three decades, and Barcelona will be here for the next 10, 20, 30, 40 years. 'And some of the venues will be just momentarily on the calendar and then probably they will disappear again. So, we cannot lose Barcelona.' Reigning world champion Max Verstappen is one of only two drivers to win in Barcelona in the past nine years and took his maiden F1 win there in his first race for Red Bull in 2016. He believes it would be a shame to see the race drop off the calendar. "I think for F1 in general, it would be a bit of a loss, of course, if this track goes. Especially, I think, for the drivers. But I think even the fan experience is nice,' he said. Preparing for the 'Madring' Madring layout for Formula 1's Spanish Grand Prix Madring layout for Formula 1's Spanish Grand Prix Advertisement Organisers confirmed that the 2026 F1 Spanish Grand Prix will be held over 57 laps of the 5.4-kilometre, 22-turn Madring circuit, having also presented an onboard lap of the digital version. The Madring circuit, with numerous nods to the history of Madrid and Spain, will start with a 589-metre straight, the second longest of the entire layout. From the start line there will be a 202-metre sprint to Turn 1, but in racing conditions Turn 1s and 2 are expected to yield some overtaking opportunities as cars slow down from 320kph to 100kph for the first chicane. Carlos Sainz was born in Madrid and has become an ambassador for the new race so there was no surprise when he spoke of his excitement and how he believes the race will be a 'success' in his hometown. 'I'm the ambassador - they made me ambassador for the Grand Prix, and I'm going to try to support the circuit, the community, and make it the best it can be," he said. Advertisement 'I'm really looking forward to it because I believe Madrid has huge potential as a city, and I think more and more people around the world are realising how lucky we are to have a city like Madrid. I believe it's going to be a success.' Read Also: Madrid's Spanish GP organisers unveil F1's new Madring circuit To read more articles visit our website.
Associated Press
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Are we nearing the end of Barcelona's run as an F1 city? Madrid addition puts race in doubt
MONTMELO, Spain (AP) — Barcelona may be quickly approaching its end as a Formula 1 city after more than three decades of racing in northeastern Spain. The grand prix is under contract through next year, but the addition of a race in Madrid also in 2026 has put a bullseye on the event that has been held near Barcelona since 1991. F1 has trended toward adding urban and temporary circuits, which offer spectators the services and attractions of a city and are not difficult to get to. That push was behind the announcement last year that Spain's capital would get its own race on a temporary circuit. Miquel Sàmper, who is president of the largely publicly-owned Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the regional minister for business and labor for Catalonia, visited the paddock ahead qualifying for the Spanish GP on Saturday. He told reporters that negotiations were ongoing with F1 to keep the race on the calendar in 2027 but they would take maximum discretion and, most importantly, time, just like 'the best cooking.' 'This will only go well if we are discrete,' Sàmper said. 'There are lots of possible options, and that is making this take longer. We are analyzing each and every one for its pros and cons, and keeping in mind the circumstances: there are more and more countries that want grand prixs.' Two races for Spain? F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said during the presentation of the Madrid event in January 2024 that that the arrival of new race wouldn't rule out keeping the Barcelona event on the calendar. Spain did briefly host two races when it had the European Grand Prix on a street circuit in Valencia from 2008-12. But Italy appears set to lose Imola, leaving it just the Monza race, as F1 expands in the United States, where it now holds three races, and seeks out new fans beyond the already tapped-out European market. When asked by The Associated Press if F1 had slammed the hood on the possibility of having two races in Spain, Sàmper said he couldn't comment. The Madrid race will become the Spanish Grand Prix, meaning that next year's race in Catalonia will have to get a new name. Sàmper said that is still being talked about with F1 as well. Drivers defend Barcelona Fernando Alonso made an impassioned defense of Barcelona on Thursday, going so far as to predict that it would stay on the calendar. 'It's good to have new countries as well that Formula 1 has moved to in the last decade. But at the same time, we need to keep some traditional circuits where the history of Formula 1 has been written and made,' the Spanish two-time champion said. Those bits of F1 history include a memorable duel between Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna as they jousted side by side down pitlane during the first Barcelona race. And for modern fans, current F1 champion Max Verstappen became the youngest race winner at age 18 on this track. 'For F1 in general,' Verstappen said this week, 'it would be a bit of a loss, of course, if this track goes.' The circuit is considered a good standard track with high-speed and medium-speed turns. It has been regularly used for winter testing as well. The thinking goes: if your car performs here, it should perform well in most fixed tracks. Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton both won six times on this circuit as they amassed world titles. Hamilton agreed it is a 'classic' race, while adding it would be difficult for Madrid to build a better track. 'Building a new circuit is hit or miss, and 95% of the time it is worse,' Hamilton said. 'But as long as we have a good as circuit then it is OK.' Things to improve The 4.66-kilometer (2.89-mile) Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya layout is not conducive to overtaking. The best chance trailing drivers have is usually at the very start on the long run to the first turn. Officials have invested in recent years to improve facilities, but it still is difficult to get to despite being located on a hill above the working-class town of Montmelo some 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Barcelona. Roads and commuter trains are overwhelmed by the more than 100,000 fans who come on race day. So next year could be the swan song for F1 in Montmelo. ___ AP auto racing:
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
2025 Spanish Grand Prix: Everything F1 Fans Need To Know
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 29: A general view of the main straight during previews ahead of Round 5 ... More Barcelona of the Formula 3 Championship at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 29, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Malcolm Griffiths - Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images) After a controversial Monaco Grand Prix last week, the first European triple-header of the Formula 1 season ends in Barcelona this weekend with the Spanish Grand Prix. The mandatory two-stop rule introduced in Monaco to liven up the event failed to do the trick, leaving drivers and team principals disgruntled at the processional nature of the race. There will be no such thing in place at the Circuit de Catalunya, a track drivers and teams know well as it has long been the home of winter testing. With a mix of low- and high-speed corners, the track, which is could drop out of the calendar next year when the Spanish Grand Prix moves to Madrid, is particularly testing for tires. McLaren arrives into the race as the favorite with Oscar Piastri leading the drivers' standings by three points over Lando Norris, who won in Monaco a week ago ahead of Charles Leclerc. The Papaya is 172 points clear of Mercedes in the constructors' standings with Red Bull four points further adrift. Here's a number of storylines to keep an eye on ahead of this weekend. MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 24: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on ... More during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 24, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco (Photo by) World champion in each of the past four seasons, Verstappen has been the man to beat in Formula 1 since he first dethroned Lewis Hamilton in controversial circumstances on the final race in 2021. The Dutchman has won twice in seven races this season, but does not expect to add a fifth consecutive world title to his CV. "I just try to do my best, have a bit of fun out there," he said at a media day as the paddock arrived in Barcelona. "I'm more excited if I know that we're going to be super quick. That's the most exciting. I always try to do my best, but this year so far it had some real positives, but of course also some negatives. "With some races we are really off the pace, which is not enjoyable. "That also doesn't mean that I'm enjoying it or loving it. I like it. Up until this point it's not going to be remembered forever." Red Bull has struggled in circuits with low speed corners, but should be faring much better in Spain this weekend, due to the Circuit de Catalunya's mixture of medium and high-speed corners. And Oscar Piastri, who leads the standings with a 25-point gap over Verstappen, suggested the Dutchman remains as dangerous an opponent as ever. "I don't think he can be counted out," the Australian said. "The gap is not very large at the moment, and they've genuinely been competitive at a decent number of circuits now. "Of course, there's been weekends where we've been stronger, but they've been developing their car, they've been finding more performance, so I think at this point, Max is definitely still in the fight." McLaren's British driver Lando Norris sprays champagne as he celebrates on the podium after winning ... More the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco, on May 25, 2025. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images) Victory in Monaco last weekend was much-needed tonic for Lando Norris, who was in danger of watching teammate Oscar Piastri disappear into the distance in the drivers' standings. Norris' second win of the season cut the gap from the Australian, who has already won four races, to three points. For his part, the Briton suggested winning in Monaco was not a cure to all ills. 'What I felt this weekend was a small step forward,' he said. 'But it's not it. It's not like I've nailed it now and everything's back.' Last year, the Briton started on pole in Barcelona with Piastri 10th and finished second behind Max Verstappen, some 30 seconds ahead of his McLaren teammate in seventh. A repeat of the same scenario is unlikely this weekend, but Norris must live up to his tag of pre-season favorite and McLaren's No1 driver. Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc looks on as he sits in his car in the garage during ... More qualifying for the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco, on May 24, 2025. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Charles Leclerc secured only his second podium of the season a week ago in Monaco, coming second behind Lando Norris, Ferrari's highest finish in a Grand Prix this season. So can the Scuderia build on an unexpected positive result? Not according to the Monegasque, who remains downbeat about his and his team's prospects this season. 'We've got to reset a bit our expectations going into this weekend compared to a weekend like Monaco where it was a bit more positive,' Leclerc told the media in Barcelona. 'However, it doesn't change our approach. "More than an extreme setup, the balance that we are trying to target is very, very aggressive this year and we've got to run like that and that doesn't change now. So we are still in the same situation for this.' Both Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have struggled to get the best out of the SF-25 so far this season, with the pair complaining the rear end of their Ferrari feels unstable going into corners. The Scuderia has also lacked pace in qualifying leaving the duo playing catch up, but Ferrari showed good pace in Monaco with Leclerc qualifying second and Hamilton fourth, before receiving a three-spot penalty for impeding Max Verstappen. TOPSHOT - McLaren's British driver Lando Norris drives during qualifying for the Formula One Monaco ... More Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco, on May 24, 2025. (Photo by Gabriel BOUYS / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images) Another weekend, another set of new rules coming into effect. A week ago, Monaco saw the introduction of a mandatory two-stop rule, which was meant to liven up a soporific event but only succeeded in making the race look even more of a procession. This week in Barcelona, Formula 1 will introduce stiffer tests on front wing flexibility, which can be exploited to enhance aerodynamics. Teams use clever carbon-fibre techniques to create flexible front wings, which allow them to balance car performance between high-speed and low-speed corners. These wings also increase top speed on straights by reducing drag, without sacrificing cornering performance, as the wing naturally lifts at lower speeds when the car turns. In practical terms, wings will have to flex less for a given amount of weight applied to them in official tests carried out by the FIA - world's motorsport governing body. McLaren's rivals have long complained its front wings are among the most flexible on the grid, but the Woking-based team has not brought wholesale changes to Barcelona. 'There are little tweaks here and there but nothing that will change how we have to do anything,' Norris said.
New York Times
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
Spanish GP track breakdown: Laps at the Barcelona circuit gobble up F1 tires
The Spanish Grand Prix may be the home race for Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, but it's familiar territory for much of the grid as the teams often spend winter testing (and in some cases filming days) here at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Not that those filming days create too big an advantage. 'There's only a [set] amount of laps you can reach, and I think you get one or two push laps and that's it,' Sauber's Zhou Guanyu said in 2023. 'I'm sure everyone knows the track, and it's more about the details and how much confidence you feel on the high-speed tracks.' Advertisement The track changed ahead of the 2023 grand prix. One of the biggest was the axing of a chicane introduced in 2007, partly to slow down the racing for safety reasons. The track has returned (mostly) to its previous layout, with a pair of high-speed right-handers to lead the drivers back to the start/finish straight. But even with overtaking improving in 2023, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya's days look numbered. As things stand, Barcelona is at risk of being dropped from the Formula One calendar in 2026, when the Spanish Grand Prix moves to Madrid. As F1 prepares for a grueling run of five races in six weeks, here's what you need to know about a circuit that's known for eating up tires. Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1992, and as part of the development program, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was constructed. The first cars to hit the track in 1991 were racing in the Spanish Touring Car Championship, and two weeks later, Formula One took it for a spin. Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna ended up in a drag race of sorts, going wheel-to-wheel down the straight. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya features a mix of low- and high-speed corners, such as the final sequence and Turn 3, a spot where teams can better understand the car's balance. It's a familiar track for the grid as drivers have competed, tested and done filming days in Spain, but ahead of the 2023 race, only two drivers had experience with the pair of high-speed final corners: Alonso (in a F1 race) and Lewis Hamilton (in testing). 'I do remember testing here in 2006, my first test here in a McLaren, and that was, I think, two or three or four days of the high-speed last corners. I remember I couldn't hold my head up,' Hamilton said in 2023. 'The team asked me, I think Gary Paffett was one of the test drivers, they were like, 'Gary uses the pad, do you want the pad?' I was like 'No no no, my neck's strong!' Advertisement 'I remember getting to Turn 1 and just straight away not being able to hold my head up. I'd come back in and say, 'No, no, my neck is good,' but I was in so much pain, struggling to sleep at night.' The chicane was initially introduced as a safety measure, but today's cars should be able to handle the faster turns, according to McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. 'At the time, I think Formula One cars were like go karts with a lot of power, a little bit of aerodynamic forces, and very, very light cars,' Stella said when discussing the cars of 20 years ago compared to 2023. 'They were 200 kilograms (441 pounds) lighter than these cars. In this generation of Formula One cars, the second-to-last corner is easily flat in all conditions. 'At the time, it was a challenging corner, but they are much quicker, even if they are 200 kilograms heavier, because of an enormous amount of downforce, much bigger tires and much more grip as well, and still quite powerful engines.' One other turn to keep an eye on is Turn 9, Campsa. It's a speedy right-hander to head onto the back straight, making it a trickier corner. Back during the 2008 grand prix, Heikki Kovalainen flew straight into the barriers. Compared to the recent run of Monaco and Montreal, the paddock is headed back to a more conventional circuit. 'It's a proper race track, and this is where a Formula One car comes alive,' Verstappen said last year. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is known for its high tire degradation, due to its high-speed nature and abrasive track surface. Even with the layout adjustments, it's safe to expect tire wear to remain an issue, especially on the left side. But that degradation issue opens the door to differing strategies, pace differences among the cars and potential overtaking opportunities. Advertisement Traditionally, the Spanish Grand Prix is a two-pit stop race, but it could shift to a three-stop plan depending on tire degradation. The race is being held a few weeks later than in 2023, which means the temperatures could be hotter and affect tire management. Heading into last year's race, some believed the removal of the slow-speed zone could facilitate better racing. Williams' Alex Albon pointed out how the cars stayed close through turns 10 and 12 in 2022 because of the racing lines, but when they hit the stretch from Turns 13-15, they fell into a single-file line. He felt the change could help with overtaking. Hamilton said, 'I hope that we're able to follow, with the cars we have, a bit better through the last two corners than we have (through) the little Mickey Mouse chicane.' Overtaking did improve last year, but is it enough to shake the criticism of it being a more processional race? Pirelli noted how qualifying is fairly important at this track in its preview: 'In no fewer than 24 races here, the pole sitter has gone on to be first past the chequered flag and adding to the importance of this statistic is that on four other occasions the driver who was quickest in qualifying retired from the race.' (Track video courtesy of EA Sports F1 — learn more about 'F1 25″ here.) (Lead image: Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images, David Ramos/Getty Imgaes; Design: Drew Jordan/The Athletic)
