The Formula 1 teams return to the Circuit de Catalunya this weekend, having tested there two months ago. Weather conditions for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix should but sunny but not too warm.
Ambient temperatures on all three days are expected to reach no more than 20C, some 5C lower than the peak seen during last year’s race weekend. But with the sun expected to shine throughout much of the F1 sessions, track temperatures should easily reach the mid-thirties if not higher. Last year Friday practice was considerably hotter than the race; this year temperatures are expected to remain more consistent.
The warm conditions will be vital for tyre management at a track where Pirelli has brought its hardest selection of rubber: the C1 (hard), C2 (medium) and C3 (soft). The only previous track where this tyre selection has been used is Bahrain, a very abrasive circuit which typically sees higher track temperatures.
With the risk of rain negligible over the coming days, teams should have plenty of opportunity to assess their new upgrades during the practice sessions and dial in their set-ups on a track they know well.
The Circuit de Catalunya features several medium and high-speed corners where the cars are particularly vulnerable to gusts of wind. But this too looks unlikely to be a serious concern during the upcoming race weekend.
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