Barcelona offers an update on the McLaren-Red Bull competition, revealing their latest winglet advancements
The ninth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, the Spanish Grand Prix, takes place this weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Spanish drivers Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, representing Williams and Aston Martin respectively, hope to deliver a stellar home performance. The battle between McLaren and Red Bull continues, with a new front wing regulation potentially proving pivotal.
Lando Norris of McLaren clinched victory in the European triple-header's final stop, the Monaco Grand Prix. This narrows the gap between him and teammate Oscar Piastri, who leads the championship with 161 points. Norris' triumph brings him closer to championship contention.
The recently introduced front wing regulation may serve as a game-changer, particularly for Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Verstappen, the reigning champion, could benefit from this new ruling at Barcelona, a track that suits his vehicle better.
Ferrari improved upon a lap during the Monaco Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc securing a podium finish. This performance offers Ferrari hope for the Spanish Grand Prix. Mercedes, however, endured a difficult weekend in Monaco, failing to score any points.
McLaren has not celebrated a victory in Montmeló for two decades, but Norris managed a podium finish last year with a second-place result. Sainz is determined to celebrate a great success in Montmeló, where he has yet to stand on the podium.
Alonso, on the other hand, is eager to improve after an engine failure during the Monaco Grand Prix forced him to retire early. The Spanish racing legend has not scored a point since February, which may cause concern as Barcelona does not seem to offer him a break from this streak.
A new opportunity awaits both Sainz and Alonso, with the support of the home crowd providing a much-needed boost. No Spanish driver has made it to the podium in Montmeló since 2013, when Alonso himself clinched victory.
As speculation swirls about the future of the Catalunya circuit, attention turns to the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix. Racers will face 30°C temperatures, making tire management crucial, on a 4.6-kilometer-long track that serves as a "litmus test" for many experiments.
Meanwhile, the race calendar prepares for a shift, with Madrid expected to host the Grand Prix beginning in 2025. However, for now, the attention remains firmly on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where the Formula 1 action unfolds this weekend.
As for additional events, Shakira canceled her Washington concert and Colombian footballer Mascherano expressed his high regard for the Columbus Crew MLS team, while Lautaro Martínez voiced his satisfaction with the respect earned by his team in a recent competition.
Sport-analysis predicts a heated race between Red Bull and McLaren at the Spanish Grand Prix, with the recently introduced front wing regulation potentially making a significant impact on Max Verstappen's performance. Meanwhile, local drivers Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso are relying on home support for a strong performance, hoping to end their podium drought at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where no Spanish driver has been on the podium since 2013.
