Hard tyres return in Spain
The second triple-header of the season concludes at another classic Formula 1 circuit, Barcelona-Catalunya, which has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991. It is one of the most anticipated events, as it takes place on one of the most technically complete tracks. It’s no coincidence that one of the most common sayings about this circuit is: if you’re fast here, you’re fast everywhere.
This year, the Spanish round will see the introduction of a new FIA technical directive on wing flexibility, which, according to some experts, could also affect car performance. Additionally, Barcelona is often the track where teams introduce major technical updates, precisely to test them on such a demanding layout.
The compounds
Just as the circuit is challenging for the cars, it is also tough on the tyres. After two consecutive races using the softest trio in the 2025 range, Pirelli has, as tradition dictates, selected the hardest trio for this event, with C1 as Hard, C2 as Medium, and C3 as Soft. These three compounds have been revised compared to last year, especially the C2, to make them more evenly spaced in terms of performance. This could lead teams to favour the Medium and Soft during the race.
The forces exerted on the tyres are medium-high, as they are stressed by several fast corners, such as Turn 3 and the final two right-handers. The most stressed corner is the front-left, given the predominance of right-hand turns.
Although the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is no longer the most used venue for team testing—due to the near elimination of in-season testing and the significant reduction of pre-season sessions—it remains a very important proving ground. In fact, Pirelli has chosen to test here for the third time (the first in September 2024 and the second this past January) to develop its tyre range for next season. The testing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 4, with Mercedes drivers running both days, Racing Bulls on Tuesday, and Red Bull on Wednesday.
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