LIVE | FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix - Who will be on top?
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- GPblog.com
We have arrived at the start of the sixth Grand Prix weekend of 2020. It is also the end of the second triple-header of this season and after this Grand Prix there will be a rest week. For some time it was uncertain as to whether the Grand Prix would continue because of increased levels of infection in the region, but in the end, it turned out not to be a problem for Formula 1. We are clear to race and the weekend starts with FP1 starting at 10:00 UK time.
Well known circuit for all
Many drivers will know the circuit of Catalunya like the back of their hand. It has been the host venue of the winter tests for a few years now, and this year all the drivers have done an extraordinary amount of laps. This time they will drive laps again, but now it really counts for the championship. In that respect, it is going to be an interesting weekend, because Red Bull Racing seemed to be very fast here at the beginning of this year, along with Mercedes.
Now winter testing doesn't say it all, but after the strong performance from Verstappen last weekend, the world is curious to know what the proportions will be now. It promises to be a warm weekend and the warmer it is, the better the Red Bull will go where the Mercedes will suffer because of their cooling issue. Moreover, Verstappen has won here in 2016, so it is by definition a special circuit for the only winner of 2020 outside Mercedes.
Return of Perez
Lance Stroll had Nico Hulkenberg alongside him in the last Grand Prix, which was due to the absence of Sergio Perez. The Mexican has now returned into the car after being cleared after his positive COVID test.
It is also to be hoped that the Ferrari will show a little more pace during the first free practice session, because where Leclerc finished fourth, Vettel once again not in the top ten last weekend. He will get a new chassis this weekend, so hopefully, that will help him perform better. After all, it's sad to see a four-time champion struggling so hard with a car that's not good.
The first free practice is about to start and we'll keep you informed with all the developments down below.