After the race in Monaco, Formula One now heads to Catalonia for the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. Traditionally, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is one of the most challenging circuits of the entire season, both for the cars and the tires. The track is comprehensive, featuring different types of corners at various speeds, and it also has a very long straight. Aerodynamic efficiency is the key to being competitive.
This year, the circuit presents itself with a new look after the elimination of the last chicane, returning to the original layout. The circuit has a length of 4.657 km with 14 corners, 8 of which are right turns. There are two DRS zones, on the main straight and between turns 9 and 10.
Let’s take a closer look at the secrets hidden by the Barcelona circuit in this track analysis ahead of the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix:
Sector 1:
The first sector of the Catalan circuit starts on the main straight and descends towards the first two corners, a right-left sequence. According to Brembo data, the drivers will apply 125 kg of brake load here, generating a deceleration of 4.1 G. Once this first chicane is tackled, the drivers approach turn 3, a long uphill right-hand corner where tires and cars will be put to the test. Aerodynamic load is crucial in this corner, allowing the cars to develop more lateral G-force and be faster through it.
Sector 2
After exiting turn 3, the second sector opens up and reaches Repsol, the second point of stress for the brakes, where the speed drops from 281 to 171 km/h in 73 meters. Here, the drivers will apply 125 kg of brake load and experience a maximum deceleration of 4.2 G. From here, the track descends towards turns 5, 6, and 7, which are crucial for setting up the next two corners. In particular, turns 7 and 8 can be taken with a single maneuver by slightly cutting the curb of turn 8. From there, the track ascends towards turn 9, a sharp blind right-hand corner where the tires will be heavily tested. After passing turn 9, there is a short straight leading to turn 10, which is also a good overtaking spot, given the presence of a DRS zone.
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Sector 3
The braking for turn ten opens the third sector and is the third demanding point for the brakes, generating 3.9 G of deceleration, going from 298 to 117 km/h. After exiting turn 10, which has recently undergone a design update, the track ascends towards the new layout of the last corners. After turn 12, we enter the final two corners, which this year will allow for a faster entry onto the main straight. With the new layout, the cars will develop more lateral G-force and further stress the tires.
Pirelli’s Tire Selection for the Barcelona Track
For the Barcelona weekend, the Italian tire manufacturer has opted for the same trio used in Bahrain. Although the nomenclature is the same as in 2022, the 2023 C1 compound is a new tire developed to reduce the gap between the hardest tire (C0) and the C2. According to simulations, this choice should provide teams with more options for the race since last year, no driver used the Hard compound. Additional news for this weekend includes the opportunity to try two additional sets of Hard tires with the new construction during the first two practice sessions. This will allow teams and drivers to understand the new tires ahead of the British GP, where they will make their official debut.
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