MONTMELÓ.- Max Verstappen will go out in the Spanish Grand Prix seeking to silence the hopes of the rest of the grid that his Red Bull can be overcome. It was in Montmeló where the three-time world champion showed what he was capable of as a teenager and has won this Grand Prix the last two years.
The race north of Barcelona begins a series of three awards in consecutive weekends and five in six weeks. Given this tight schedule, teams will have less time to adjust their cars. So the improvements with which they arrive in Spain could be key to determining who will have the advantage all summer.
Verstappen has won six of nine races this season and scored his 60th victory in Montreal two weeks ago. The 26-year-old Dutchman has won 50 of the last 75 events and has a 56-point lead over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Although Verstappen has won some races practically from the first lap, there are signs that his opponents could make the campaign more interesting.
Both Mercedes and McLaren set the pace at times in the Canadian GP before Verstappen retook first place. In two of the last four races other drivers have won: Lando Norris with McLaren won in Miami and Leclerc took Monaco.
But usually Spain allows the fastest car to dominate. In 24 of 33 races the car that starts first has won and no driver has won when starting further back than fifth position.
The 4.6-kilometer Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit was modified last year to be more speed-friendly by replacing an unpopular chicane with two fast laps before a straight.
“I think it’s always complex, in some ways exciting,” Verstappen said of the state of the competition before Friday’s practice.
Verstappen has good memories at this track. It was here where he made it clear that he could be champion by winning the 2016 Spanish GP in his debut with Red Bull and thus becoming the youngest F1 champion at 18 years old.
This will be the first event in Barcelona since it was announced that Madrid will host a new F1 race in 2026. This led to questions about the future of the Spanish GP which has been held in Montmeló since 1991.
F1 president Stefano Domenicali said the Catalonia race could remain on the calendar after 2026, when its contract expires.
FIRST PRACTICE
Norris had the best time in the first practice session ahead of Verstappen and Sainz.
Practice was briefly interrupted when the wing of Alonso’s Aston Martin flew off, leading to the red flag being raised.
Oliver Bearman, F2 driver, participated with Haas. The 19-year-old Briton impressed in March when he filled in for an ailing Sainz with Ferrari at the Saudi Arabia GP.
Source: AP
