F1 2008 - Spanish Grand Prix Preview

They’re on their way back to Catalunya and this time, let’s race. I don’t know about you, but this little early season break of 3 weeks seems like the off season again. Wondering if Alonso will bail on Renault, if DC will retire, Massa gone from Ferrari…ok, ok enough of that. On to the circuit.

The Catalunya circuit is so well known to F1 drivers because of its history and popularity in testing. The circuit is so popular because it offers just about everything a team would want to test on. Long straights, medium and high speed turns, and a few low speed turns ask a lot of the F1 car and driver as well. Not surprising a lot of testing is done here. Some cars will have a new look with horns and fins and holes in the nose etc. This is the race featuring the biggest upgrades.

Aerodynamics, tires, and suspension are the keys to Catalunya giving the engines a bit of a break. Aerodynamics is a key with high down force. I still think it is a bit unfortunate the chicane was added, lessening the importance of the once demanding high speed sections of the circuit.

The removal of traction control has added a little extra in suspension set up. The cars usually run with stiff front suspension for quick maneuvering and a softer rear end for optimum traction when accelerating out of the slow corners. Given the removal of traction control, suspension set up is even more critical for the gear balance they need.

There has been a lot of talk this past week in testing about tires and how they last on this tire demanding track. The high speed corners and rough surface tear tires apart much faster than normal. The tires Bridgestone are supplying this weekend are a hard and medium compound tire. As in the past, left front will be see the most wear especially from turn 3 and 9. A soft compound here probably wouldn’t last the formation lap.

As I said, this circuit is a break for engines with only 64% of the lap at full throttle and the engine isn’t tested in acceleration from the low rev range on up, but only from mid rev range on up. A blown engine here is a bit of a concern I would think.

This is a circuit I love to hate because of the lack of breaking zones and with that, not much passing. Sure, watching the cars through the high speed corners is cool, but a winning strategy is about qualifying and pit overtaking.

Imp Stats
Full throttle: 64%
Brake wear: Medium
Down force level: High – 8/10
Tire compounds: Medium / Hard
Tire usage: Hard
Average speed: 207kph