Why the additional set of new Leclerc mediums could be a joker in F1 Spanish GP

The Spanish Grand Prix was once a word for the dull and processional race, but it has changed – if only a little – in recent years.

Indeed, if the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit is a known quantity, having been on the calendar since 1991, it is slightly less intensively known than before, because it is no longer used as a pre-season test. The drivers could always turn it while being blindfolded, but the teams have a little less data than they would have otherwise on the use of tires.

Another small but important facet affecting the strategy this weekend is the application of a new technical directive that tightens aero-elastic front wings thanks to more static static load tests. The so-called flexi-wings have theoretically reduced the drag, improving the top speed, but it was a lower order effect. The main advantage has been to alleviate some of the most serious balance changes, the current generation of terrestrial effects cars tends to live in the middle of the area, generally going from the under control.

In addition to a small potential gain of the laptop by giving more confidence to the drivers in the corners, the main advantage was to help the degradation of the tires. This is why, given the lack of time representative in the race conditions, The answer in the paddock has the effect of the new test regime so far has been a general shoulders of the shoulders.

As pointed out by Pirelli’s director of motorsport, Mario Isola, in his post-skilled briefing, the average turn charges are higher but the pole position was slower … if only two tenths of a second.

“No more charges that do not translate into more performance,” he said. “So if you think about it, you understand what I say …”

A little of everything

Pirelli tires

Photo of: Erik Junius

Since Barcelona has a relatively rough surface, a few decent long lines and a wide variety of speeds in turns, plus two DRS zones – one of which includes a straight fold on a crest – it is very demanding for tires. While Pirelli has become a softer step in his choices composed of many towers this year, for Barcelona, ​​he remained with the three of the family in the family: C1, C2, C3.

Despite this, the race promises to be a two shots because the experience of practice has shown that the hard compass tire, the C1, does not produce enough adhesion, so cars have slipped and induces early degradation. It was also difficult for the teams to find a balance on the C1, so they migrated to the softer compounds, which makes a race for two stops more likely.

The reason why balance is such a problem is that the teams have generally set up their cars with a tendency to underside to protect the rear tires, which are generally more sensitive to thermal degradation. In Barcelona, ​​this poses a problem because the roughness of the surface, in combination with the high G loads of the fast corners, puts high stresses through the outer shoulder of the tire on the left. The teams must therefore navigate the best compromise between wear and tear at the front and the degradation of the two axles.

“The teams try to protect the rear axle, but then they push the front and they can lose the performance of the two axles,” said Pirelli chief engineer Simone Berra after Friday training.

“We have seen that the C1 showed very low adhesion, so it slips. In addition, the balance is not good, it is disconnected, the front and rear axles very disconnected, so you have an understeer in the middle of the area, especially in the corners at low speed, then you have rear axle sliding in high speed corners with low support.

“So, fundamentally, the teams with the C1 have a little more to find a good compromise and a good balance. We have also seen it on the rhythm data for the C1, and that is why most of the teams focused on C2 and C3 in FP2 for long races, with better track conditions due to the evolution of the track, (trying) to see where the limit is for C2 and C3 in terms of degradation.

“The level of degradation is very similar between C2 and C3, you can apply different management levels, but the pace is quite similar. C3 has a higher level of grip but a slightly higher degradation, C2 is slightly more consistent but lower of adhesion. At the end of the day.

“We therefore think that the two compounds will be good for the race.”

How many stops, and when?

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo of: Steven tee / lat images via Getty Images

Last year, all the pilots except one made two stops; Yuki Tsunoda And Sergio Perez were the aberrant values, making three. The most popular strategy among frontrunners was sweetness, with the first stop between the Tours 13 and 17. But this race was shaped by events on the first round, where Lando Norris (the potter) and Max Verstappen has become so consumed to each other George Russell Pitch around the outside of the fourth on the grid to grab the lead.

This year, frontrunners have only one set of new soft tires – which they will probably use for the opening passage, because the track position remains king in this circuit, and a good start is important. The first standard window will then be that the race is entering the start of adolescents in terms of tower counting; Anyone who stops before reaching the double figures is in difficulty, all the other factors being equal.

What is intriguing is what is happening behind McLaren‘s norris and Oscar PiastriPilots in the front row. As for last year, one of the occupants of the second row – in this case, Verstappen and Russell – could take advantage of those who had to try not to trip.

Although Russell’s advance lasted only until the DRS is activated last year, the main cars are closer to each other in terms of rhythm.

Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc is something of a joker. He will start seventh, behind his teammate Lewis HamiltonHaving missed new softs in qualification. But it has two sets of fresh mediums, which could come into play because those at the front Go Soft-Medium-Soft, running softs used the final passage.

It is also possible that the track continues to evolve and that more rubber is relaxed, the tire with hard compound so far illustrated could also become a viable option preferably with the software used.

Poleter Oscar Pitri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo of: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

“On paper,” said Isola, “if I have only one set of hard, a set of medium, and the sweet deteriorates more than expected, ideally, you should be soft, hard, medium.

“Because the fuel load is higher in the middle of the race compared to the end of the race. So you save in the middle.

“But I heard comments around that it is also possible to have sweet, medium, hard. Because they believe that the evolution of the track is important and with a better track at the end of the race, the hard slips less and therefore gives better performance.

“Who is right? I don’t know. But that’s the idea.”

What if it rains?

The jetstream will have to undergo a change in tumultuous direction overnight if the Spanish GP must be affected by the rain. Indeed, wet races in this place are a distinct rarity.

It was dark, covered and wet when the Barcelona -Catalunya circuit organized its first round of the world championship in September 1991 – Note the steam trails around the wings of Nigel Mansell’s Williams And McLaren of Ayrton Senna in these images evocative of their duel in this race.

But a warm and sunny weather has predominant since the race moved to a late slit in the calendar. There has not been a great price properly wet here for almost three decades – but it was spectacular.

Winner Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, Jacques Villeneuve, Williams

Photo of: Sutton images

In 1996, the Williams -Renault team had the fastest car of the grid, among the best to have flowed from Adrian NewEy’s pen – but possible champion Damon Hill Was a first victim, which turned after the departure of pole position.

Unlike Williams, Ferrari’s F310 was not the best job of designer John Barnard but Michael Schumacher struck a peak shape and led one of the most beautiful races of his life, humiliating the competition to win by 45S of Benetton Jean Alesi.