We’ve made the 683km journey from Monaco to Barcelona in Spain for the final leg of a European triple header.  

After 66 laps around the tight and twisting Monte Carlo streets, the team are excited for the chance to stretch the MCL39’s legs and let it loose around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.  

Hear from Lando, Oscar and Team Principal Andrea Stella to find out what you can expect from the weekend. We’ll also list the various challenges our team can expect to face around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as well as the reasons why we love racing here.

“Going into the next race weekend as a Monaco Grand Prix winner feels incredible. The team and I worked hard over the last few months to find points of improvement, and we’ll keep pushing and using the momentum we’ve built. 

“It’s great to finish this triple header at the Spanish Grand Prix. Barcelona is a great city to visit and a fun one to race in. I’m feeling good, and ready for another strong weekend.” 

“Barcelona is a track that I’ve won at in the junior formulae. It’s a good blend of high-speed straights and technical sections.  

“I’m happy with the strong consistency in my driving at the moment, and I take a lot of positives with me to Spain. The team are doing a great job and I’m feeling very confident.” 

“We head to the Spanish Grand Prix encouraged by our result in Monaco. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya offers a very different challenge, however, with many high-speed corners which will not naturally suit the characteristics of the MCL39. With this also comes the expectation to see many challenges from the rest of the grid and close battles at the front.  

“We’re now a third of the way into the 2025 Formula 1 season, still leading both Championships but still remaining focused on our goals. Being consistent over a challenging triple header is not easy, so I’d like to thank once again everyone at McLaren for their work. We keep our heads down and we keep pushing.” 

Why we love the Spanish Grand Prix

The circuit is set just outside of Barcelona, and it’s among our favourite locations on the calendar. Located around 30km away from the track, Barcelona is a stunning city that combines fantastic food with spectacular sights, beautiful beaches, and world-renowned architecture.  

Best known is the Sagrada Familia, but Gaudí’s three houses, Casa Batlló, Casa Mila and Casa Vicens, as well as Park Güell, each have their own fascinating story, and are all must-see destinations when visiting Barcelona.   

There’s plenty else to explore, including beaches, mountains, and the famous Gothic Quarter. And of course, there’s the famous Spanish cuisine, ranging from traditional tapas to paella - there really is something for everyone. 

What are the challenges?

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is famed for being an all-round challenge of a Formula 1 car. It was often used as a testing track in the past due to the variety of tests it poses.   

Among its 14 turns are a combination of elevation changes and high- and low-speed corners, which include a dramatic change of direction at the first and second corners, Turn 3, where drivers remain on the throttle for much of the corner as they go uphill, and Turn 10, a tight left-hander that requires heavy braking. There’s also a lengthy 1,050m straight for drivers to accelerate down between the 14th and first corners.  

Many of the drivers know the track well from testing in years gone by, including those who have recently graduated from Formula 2 and Formula 3, but that doesn’t make it easy to navigate, with several gravel traps that punish mistakes.

The season so far

Lando achieved a landmark victory last time out, finishing P1 in Monaco to claim a famous first win in the principality. The British racer won from Pole, having set a new track record on Saturday. On the other side of the garage, Oscar notched his seventh consecutive podium, finishing third.

The double podium – our eighth of the season so far – extends our lead at the top of the Constructors’ Championship, with a 172-point advantage over second place. 

The fit

After the glitz and glamour of the Monaco Grand Prix, it’s time to switch out your classy smart-casual fits for New Era’s stylish and incredibly comfortable Summer Apparel range.

With our Formula 1, IndyCar, and Formula E teams all in action this weekend, as well as several of our Driver Development programme stars, many of you will be planning for a chilled weekend in.

Doubtlessly, you’ll be looking for something new to wear while enjoying two jam-packed days of racing. Look no further than New Era’s latest McLaren Racing release, which brings an elevated lifestyle to your race-day looks. Especially, if like us, you're a fan of a co-ord.