Formula 1

• Track features

  There’s a good reason why Barcelona has often been used as a testing track. It’s a real all-rounder and over the years, it has provided a thorough examination of F1 machinery due to its variety.

  That is particularly evident in its many turns. Among the circuit’s 15 corners are a mixture of high-speed and low-speed turns that trek uphill and back downhill. Each poses a different type of challenge, from the change of direction at Turns 1 and 2, the heavy throttle Turn 3 or the long, spacious left-hander at Turn 10, which was remodelled in 2021.

  There was also another modification ahead of last year’s race, as the final chicane - which was added in 2007 - was removed in an attempt to speed up the track. The aerodynamic characteristics of the circuit and the modern cars means overtaking isn't the easiest, but without Turns 14 and 15 to slow them down, drivers should be able to build up more speed ahead of the lengthy 1050m straight.

  Given its heavy use in races and at tests over the last decade, drivers should know the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya like the back of their hands, but it can still catch them off guard. And with several gravel traps dotted around the circuit primed to punish any error, mistakes can be costly.

• What's it like in Barcelona?

  As well as hosting one of our favourite European rounds of the season, the city boasts plenty to see and do, including the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia and the Monument a Colom.

  Or maybe you just want to casually stroll around the Gothic Quarter, stopping off to eat tapas and paella in the sun, with a nice cool glass of sangria.

• Stat pack

  • Construction of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya coincided with the 1992 Olympics and the circuit acted as the start and finish line for the road team time trial cycling event
  • Since 1950, six different venues in Spain have hosted a grand prix
  • McLaren have won the Spanish Grand Prix eight times
  • Four of those wins came at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
  • Jochen Mass was the first McLaren driver to win in Spain
  • Between 1998 and 2000, Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard took three 1-2s in a row
  • Our most recent Spanish Grand Prix win came courtesy of  Kimi Räikkönen in 2005
  • James Hunt, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna also all won for McLaren in Spain
  • Lando has scored points in three of his four F1 races in Spain 
  • Oscar won the 2020 Formula 3 Sprint Race in Spain