Barcelona: how track surface and variety of corners affect tire management and wear levels | 2024 Spain GP. Thermal stress is experienced by all the tires due to the varied configuration of the Barcelona track.

The tenth round of the 2024 Formula 1 season will be held at the Montmeló circuit in Catalonia, the Spanish Grand Prix. This track is often used as a benchmark for the overall performance of the cars due to the wide variety of corners present.

Given the presence of two long straights, it is essential to find the correct compromise between aerodynamic load, which is indispensable for tackling the various corners, and aerodynamic efficiency to fully exploit the straights.

The characteristic corners of the circuit are certainly turn 3, a very long right-hand bend that significantly stresses the front left with high loads, and turn 14, the last corner of the track that last year replaced the chicane and restored the original layout of the track.

From the temperature graph, the great thermal stress experienced by all the tires due to the varied configuration of the track is evident. The slightly more stressed tire is the front left, especially in turn 3, a long right-hand bend that subjects the tire to high loads throughout the corner, generating a significant increase in tread temperature.

The changes made last year to corner 14 have reduced stress on the tires in terms of traction and braking, thus reducing the importance of the longitudinal component on this track. On the other hand, a lot of aerodynamic load is required, with the aero balance shifted to the front to have a more responsive car, especially when entering the slower corners.

For this weekend, Pirelli has chosen the hardest set available: C1-C2-C3, to best manage the high thermal stress and high abrasiveness of the track surface.

The asphalt in Barcelona is very abrasive, significantly favoring wear levels which, as shown in the graph, are medium-high. Slightly lower wear is expected for the rear right due to the smaller number of left-hand corners. Particularly critical is turn 3, a high-speed corner requiring significant loads for several seconds, and turn 14, which leads onto the final straight.

The expected atmospheric temperature is also high, further favoring tire wear. Therefore, a two-stop race is expected: strategies and the skill of the mechanics in the pits during stops will be crucial.