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Red Bull Racing aim to fight back against Ferrari and McLaren in Spain

Preview | Can Red Bull fight back against Ferrari and McLaren in Spain?

19 June at 06:30
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  • Nicole Mulder

After some challenging weekends in Miami, Imola, Monaco and Canada, the general expectation is that Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing will once again set the pace in the Spanish Grand Prix. Many updates are also expected from the Formula 1 teams in Barcelona. Can Red Bull return to the top in Spanish F1 race or will McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes pose another challenge?

Verstappen and Red Bull favourite, but competition lurks

Of the last four Grands Prix, Verstappen managed to win two. Both Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc claimed a win - the former did so in Miami, while Leclerc won his first-ever home race in Monaco. In both races, Verstappen limited the damage as much as possible by finishing second and sixth respectively.

Imola and Canada also posed a challenge for Verstappen and his team, yet the reigning world champion managed to win both races. It is expected that Red Bull will again be the F1 team to beat at a more 'normal' circuit like Barcelona, but the Austrian formation will certainly be looking in its mirrors at the closer competition.

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

The circuit in Montmeló, Catalonia, has hosted Formula 1 since 1991. Until then, the Spanish Grand Prix was held in Jerez, and before that it was the turn of circuits such as Jarama, Montjuïc and Pedralbes. Since 1991, Barcelona has had the honour of hosting the Spanish F1 race, although that will come to an end in 2026 when the GP moves to Madrid.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya no longer holds any secrets for any team as testing was done there for years. Formula 1 teams visited the circuit during winter tests and annually for a race, so every pebble is already in the teams' database. Besides all the data, it is also a very representative circuit for the rest of the season with all kinds of corners.

Weather forecast

Temperatures are pleasant in Barcelona, but chances are that the drivers will not keep it dry throughout the race weekend. The biggest chance of rain is just before the action starts: rain is expected upon arrival at the circuit on Thursday morning.

During practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday, it is likely to remain dry with temperatures around 25 degrees. On Sunday, it cools down slightly and Weather. com predicts a 44 per cent chance of rain on the morning before the F1 race. Click here for the schedule. 

This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.