Race name Formula 1 Gran Premio de Espana Pirelli 2015
Circuit Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Laps 66 Race distance 307km Circuit length 4.65km Lap record 1:21:670, Kimi Raikkonen, 2008
Most wins by driver Michael Schumacher x6 Most wins by team Ferrari x12
2014 result
1. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes 1:41:05.155
2. Nico Rosberg (GER), Mercedes +0.636s
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Red Bull + 49.014s
2015 schedule
May 8 - Friday practice 1 12pm to 1.30pm Friday practice 2 4pm to 5.30pm
May 9 - Saturday practice 3 1pm to 2pm Saturday qualifying 6pm to 5pm
May 10 - Sunday race 4pm to 6pm
TV Schedule All sessions live on BeIN Sports HD6
All times UAE. Gulf News is not responsible for any changes.
Best places to watch
Dubai The Underground Pub, Habtoor Grand, JBR (04 399 5000), The Locker Room, Golden Tulip, Al Barsha (04 501 6168), Barasti, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi (04 318 1313), Crown and Lion, Byblos, Tecom (04 448 8000), McGettigans (JLT 04 356 0000, DWTC 04 378 0800), Harvesters, Crowne Plaza Trade Centre (04 331 1111), Fibber Magees, Trade Centre (04 332 2400), The Huddle Sports Bar, Mankool (04 407 800) Abu Dhabi NRG, Le Meridien (02 644 6666), Heroes, Crowne Plaza (02 616 6166), Third Avenue, Sheraton Khalidiyah (02 666 6220), Coopers, Park Rotana (02 657 3333) Al Ain Horse and Jockey, Danat Hotel (03 704 6000), Pacos, Hilton (03 768 6666)
Phone ahead to check, Gulf News is not responsible for any changes
The atmosphere
Attendances in Barcelona were traditionally low in the nineties, as the Spanish are more into their motorbikes. That was, of course, until Fernando Alonso claimed his first title in 2005. The local hero might be having a torrid season with McLaren, but expect a big turnout and plenty of sky blue Asturias flags – Alonso’s home.
A bit of history
The Spanish Grand Prix has been held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya consecutively since 1991 and in recent years has signalled the start of the European part of the season.
This purpose-built circuit has had a mixed history, providing both some of the most nail-biting racing of the modern era – see Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell race wheel-to-wheel into turn one in 1991 and Pastor Maldonado’s sole win in 2012 - as well as some of the most boring races in history. During the 1999 race, for example, which was won my Mika Hakkinen, there was only one single on-track overtaking maneuver.
The circuit has seen some changes made to its layout in recent years. Most notably, turn 13 – Europcar corner – was brought forward by 200 yards and tightened. This formed a broad chicane, creating a new turns 14 and 15, before re-joining the old track into the final corner – the challenge of which was previously a favourite for drivers. The sweeping character of the final sector was lost after the changes, and whether overtaking improved as a result remains negligible.
Best overtaking spots
Catalunya is not known for its many overtaking opportunities. The first corner, however, is usually where the action happens. Unless an attacking driver has superior straight-line speed with DRS, a defending car can maintain position by switching back on the exit of turn one and into two, and then hold a tight line through three. Although if there's going to be a crash, you can be certain it will be at turn 1...
The inside of turn 5 is also a popular overtaking opportunity – it’s one of the slowest corners on the circuit and out-braking isn’t too hard to achieve. Expect to see some loose front wings here…
Writer’s winner
Lewis Hamilton is on a role, and it’s hard to see him being beaten in a straight fight at the moment. If he can do enough to earn pole position then he should cruise comfortably to a fourth win this year. Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg is going to have to dig deep.
