Formula 1 heads to Barcelona this weekend for Round 9 on the calendar, the Spanish Grand Prix. Ahead of the race, Need to Know is your all-in-one guide with statistics, driving pointers, strategy tips and plenty more.
Free Practice 1 and 2 will take place on Friday, May 30, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, May 31, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, June 01.
POWER RANKINGS: Who put on a perfect display in Monaco?
Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: Barcelona is a nice circuit, but everyone knows it like the back of their hand, which kind of makes it feel like home, because it’s the one that we have historically spent a lot of time driving at.
It’s really flowing and tough on the neck and the body because of the long corners coming through Turns 3 to 4 and Turn 9. It’s also tough on the front-left tyre, with tyre wear generally high in Barcelona thanks to abrasive tarmac.
Overtaking can be tricky, with Turn 1 pretty much the only spot you can pass at – it’s also the trickiest corner. Turn 4 to 5 is a nasty, downhill braking zone, which again can sucker you into braking a little bit late, but because there’s a bit of camber on it, you can miss the apex slightly and not lose a heap of time.
The previous final sector was not a pleasure to drive. You had to balance your tyre performance in the first and final sector, it felt really slow, and you squirmed your way around the final chicane trying to compete the lap. But that’s all gone since 2023.
ONBOARD: Lando Norris’ 2024 Pirelli Pole Position Award lap at the Spanish Grand Prix
READ MORE: What is the weather forecast for the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix?
Verstappen took victory in the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, fending off the challenge from polesitter Norris
"This weekend a new FIA technical directive comes into play, concerning the flexibility of the wings, which some experts reckon could have an effect on car performance," reads Pirelli's weekend preview. "Furthermore, Barcelona has traditionally been the track where teams bring significant updates, specifically to test them on what is a demanding circuit.
“Not only is the track challenging for the cars, it also places high demands on the tyres. After two consecutive rounds featuring the softest trio in the 2025 range, as usual Pirelli has chosen the hardest, namely the C1 as hard, the C2 as medium and the C3 as soft.
READ MORE: What tyres will the teams and drivers have for the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix?
“The three compounds have been revised since last year, especially the C2, making the performance gaps between them more equidistant. That could lead to the medium and soft being favoured for the race.
“The forces exerted on the tyres are medium to high, because of the many fast corners, such as turn 3 and the final two, both of them righthanders. The corner of the car subjected to the greatest stress is the front left, as right hand turns are in the majority.”
Regarding strategy for this weekend’s race, the preview adds: “For years now a two-stop strategy has been pretty much a given at Montmelo and last year’s race was no exception. All drivers, with the exception of Alex Albon starting from pit lane on the medium, lined up on the grid on the soft for the first stint.
“12 drivers used all three available compounds, leaving the hard for the final stint, while the top three finishers, winner Max Verstappen followed by Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, were on a second set of softs when they took the chequered flag.”
The battle at the top of the championship standings is hotting up as the F1 paddock arrives in Barcelona. Oscar Piastri remains in the lead on 161 points – but team mate Lando Norris has closed the gap down to just three points following his victory last time out in Monaco.
Max Verstappen is not far behind, either, with the Red Bull driver only 25 points – the equivalent of a race win – adrift of Piastri. It is also worth noting that Barcelona has proven a happy hunting ground for the World Champion in the past, having claimed four victories at the venue including his maiden F1 win back in 2016.
As such, the Dutchman will be keen to keep McLaren on their toes this weekend, during which any one of the top three could emerge with the championship lead. Will it still be a papaya driver on top by the end of Round 9, or might Verstappen have overhauled them for the top spot?
The Teams’ battle, meanwhile, has seen the Woking-based outfit build a sizeable advantage with 319 points to their name. Behind them, however, the margins are incredibly fine between Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari as only five points separate this trio in the duel for P2.
It is the Silver Arrows that currently hold the position, but the squad had a nightmarish weekend in Monte Carlo – something that they will be looking to put behind them around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – while Ferrari are now only one point behind Red Bull following Charles Leclerc’s podium result last time out.
Elsewhere, an intriguing fight is playing out amongst the midfield. Williams have taken ownership of P5 for the time being – having taken another double points result in Monaco – but last weekend also brought the same offering for Racing Bulls, hauling them up to P7 and just four points behind sixth-placed Haas.
Add in to all of that the fact that the Spanish Grand Prix often sees teams bring significant upgrade packages and we could be in for a fascinating weekend in Barcelona.
Race Highlights: 2025 Monaco Grand Prix
After switching from Jerez, the first Spanish Grand Prix at the now-named Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya brought plenty of drama thanks to a memorable scrap involving Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna.
Needing to win to boost his championship chances, Mansell fought his way past title rival Senna on the track, only for the Brazilian to move back into the lead during the pit stops.
READ MORE: How to stream the Formula 1 2025 Spanish Grand Prix on F1 TV Premium
There was another twist when Senna spun on the damp track, allowing Mansell back through, after which the Briton hunted down leader Gerhard Berger and secured an ultimately comfortable victory.
Check out the highlights in the video player below...
F1 VAULT: Mansell and Senna duel in Catalunya’s first race
IT’S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we’re excited about ahead of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix
F1 FANTASY: Strategist Selection – What’s the best line-up for the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix?
GREATEST RACES #23: An F1 title decided by just half a point – 1984 Portuguese Grand Prix
EXCLUSIVE: Newey on improving Aston Martin’s ‘weak’ tools, being a ‘maverick’ and focusing on 2026
Facebook Conversations