Spain: Figures and Technical Data

This weekend, for the 5th race of the 2013 season, Formula 1 is back in Europe, specifically in Spain on the Circuit de Catalunya. Even though the teams tested on this track in February, things will be different this time as the temperatures will be higher, which will change the way the Pirelli tires perform.

To perform well at the end of the race on Sunday, it’s essential to qualify well on Saturday. Indeed, 18 of the 22 Grand Prix held on the Catalan circuit have been won by the poleman, and this number rises to 21 out of 22 for a driver starting from the first row. The only driver who managed to win starting beyond the first row is Michael Schumacher, who started 3rd during his victory in 1996, his first for Scuderia Ferrari.

This circuit is usually cited as a benchmark because it has many features found in other circuits, and a good single-seater in Barcelona is likely to perform well on other tracks. However, setting up an F1 car well on the Catalonia circuit is not so straightforward because the track includes slow and fast corners and two long straights, so engineers and drivers will need to find the best compromise to ensure a good car throughout the entire length of the circuit.

Barcelona from the chassis side

Tom McCullough, Head of Track Engineering at Sauber F1 Team:

« Even though Barcelona is a circuit that we know well from pre-season testing, the warmer temperatures change the way the tires function, so we need to adapt to that. The first two sectors are based on fast corners, while the third is dominated by a sequence of technical slow corners, so settings are always a compromise. The softest tires will be the Mediums here, and for the hardest, Pirelli is reintroducing the hard compound from 2012 for this Grand Prix. »

Barcelona on the motor side

Rémi Taffin, Track Operations Director of Renault Sport F1:

The 4.655 km Circuit de Catalunya features a layout where both aerodynamic and engine demands are average. This circuit, frequently used for testing, represents a good ‘average’ of the characteristics of other tracks on the calendar. In fact, it is one of the benchmarks we use in the validation process of our engines. The combination of low and medium-speed corners is demanding for the RS27 at low revs, especially in sector 3. However, it should also be noted that 55% of the circuit is run with the throttle fully open.

The longest full-throttle period is the pit straight. It offers the possibility to use a fully charged KERS twice, as the energy meter is reset when crossing the timing line. A double use is useful for overtaking, but it puts a lot of strain on the KERS cooling system. We do not think it is a major issue for us, as the efficiency of the cooling system is one of the strengths of our package. However, it still requires attention. Defining the right final gear ratio in these conditions is another major challenge!

The hilly nature of the circuit also puts the engine’s internal components to a tough test. It’s a real trial for every part! The first corner is quite representative. The driver accelerates as the track ascends. In addition to monitoring fluid supplies, we must deliver a smooth torque curve to maintain a controlled power level and counter the significant centrifugal force.

We approach the European season with a lot of motivation. The result in Bahrain gave us an extra boost, not only because it allowed us to place a car on the podium at every Grand Prix this year but also because it was the first Renault engine triple since Bahrain 2012, and the 50th victory for the V8 RS27. The most important thing remains delivering to our four partner teams what they expect from us. We must maintain this pace and continue our momentum.

Barcelona on the tire side

The tires available for the drivers in Barcelona are as follows:

• Mediums (white sidewalls) ;
• Hards (orange sidewalls) ;
• Intermediates (green sidewalls) ;
• Wet (blue sidewalls).

Paul Hembery’s opinion, director of Pirelli Motorsport:

« We are introducing a revised version of our hard tire in Spain, with characteristics closer to the 2012 compound. This new tire offers a wider operating temperature window, but delivers slightly less pure performance. However, this will allow teams to consider a wider range of strategic options in races than before. The other products remain unchanged this year.

This is a decision made after observing the data from the first four Grand Prix, to enhance the spectacle in Formula 1. In fact, it almost has become a tradition for us, after introducing, during our first season in Formula 1, an evolution of our hard tire for the Spanish GP in 2011. We expect the medium tires to be significantly faster, and it is likely that teams will have to qualify with them. The hard tires, on the other hand, should be preferred for the race.

As permitted by the rules, we will provide an additional train of a hard prototype mix for free practice, which will hopefully allow all cars to run throughout these sessions. We wish to encourage teams to run as much as possible right from the start, particularly for rookie drivers, and to offer fans what they deserve to see.

Jean Alesi’s opinion, Pirelli ambassador:

I think Barcelona is a place where we will really be able to assess the tires for the first time, as it is the first European race of the season, on a circuit well-known for being a reference point without specific peculiarities. It’s a circuit I’ve personally always liked as a driver, although it’s very complicated, particularly turn 3, which is extremely demanding on the tires. I remember it has always been difficult here to overtake, and this is one of the aspects where Pirelli has transformed racing in Barcelona, also thanks to DRS. Traction is a key area of performance, also placing emphasis on the tires. Therefore, it is one of the most important races of the season, as it provides a useful indicator for the rest of the season.

Introducing an additional set of tires for free practice is a very good decision, as it is bad for the sport to witness the cars being stationary in the garages for an extended period. It will also be interesting to see the effects of the new hard tire specification on this race. Overall, the teams should be very well prepared for Barcelona, having a lot of test data. The big question is how relevant this data will still be, given that the ambient and track temperatures have changed a lot since the teams were last here.

Barcelona in Numbers

The 2012 Spanish Grand Prix

Pole position.

Pastor Maldonado (Williams) in 1:22.285

Podium:

1 – Pastor Maldonado (Williams)

2 – Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)

3 – Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus)

Fastest lap in the race:

Romain Grosjean (Lotus) in 1:26.250

[From the press releases published by the FIA, Pirelli, Renault Sport F1, and Sauber F1]

From our special correspondent in Barcelona