F1 Catalunya, Spain Free Practice 1 2 3 Qualifying Live Stream Race 2012 GP Formula 1

May 8, 2012 - PRLog -- With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Catalunya is seen as an ‘all-rounder’ circuit ideally suited to testing, and because of this many drivers are said to be able to drive around it blindfolded. The familiarity of Barcelona has probably contributed to it seldom producing thrilling races in recent years, and the track has become renowned as being dominated from pole. Last year, Mark Webber slipped back to fourth but you have to go back to 2000 for the previous non-pole winner. It’s also a tough circuit with above average levels of both mechanical retirements (3rd highest on calendar) and retirements due to accidents (5th).

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The lap starts with a straight, dipping down to Turns 1 and 2 – an ‘S’ bend which often sees cars overshoot at the start, as they get squeezed by the pack. Indeed, only Melbourne and Suzuka have produced more first lap retirements over the last five years.

Turn 5 is tricky, because the left-front wheel wants to lock under braking, resulting in mid-corner understeer. Then the corner falls away and the car will oversteer. The track then rises sharply from Turn 7 to Campsa, the highest point of the circuit, which has a blind entry at high speed. The corner at the bottom end of the back straight is tight and it’s very important to judge the car’s braking carefully. The exit is slow and uphill, often resulting in some wheelspin.

The weather in Barcelona at this time of year is almost always warm and dry, although the long range forecast currently suggests that showers may yet be a possibility this coming weekend.