Norris at the Double or Piastri to Pip teammate?

By Joe Murphy

The Spanish Grand Prix is one of the oldest motor races in the world, with a rich history spanning over a century. The first Spanish Grand Prix was held in 1913 at the Guadarrama circuit near Madrid, won by Carlos de Salamanca in a Rolls-Royce. However, it wasn’t until the 1920s that the race started to gain prominence, with the introduction of the World Manufacturers’ Championship.

The Spanish Grand Prix was part of the World Manufacturers’ Championship in 1927 and was promoted to the European Championship in 1935. However, the Spanish Civil War brought an end to racing, and the event was interrupted for many years. After World War II, racing resumed in Spain with the Penya Rhin Grand Prix at the Pedralbes street circuit in Barcelona.

The Spanish Grand Prix joined the Formula One World Championship in 1951, with Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio winning the event in an Alfa Romeo. The race was held at various circuits, including Pedralbes, Jarama, Montjuïc, and Jerez. Notable winners include Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Michael Schumacher. The event was marked by tragedy in 1975, when Rolf Stommelen’s car crashed, killing four spectators.

In 1991, the Spanish Grand Prix moved to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where it has remained since. The circuit has undergone changes over the years, including a layout revision in 2023 that removed the chicane in the final sector. This change led to an increase in overtaking opportunities, with over 100 on-track passes in the 2023 race. The circuit has hosted some notable races, including Michael Schumacher’s win in heavy rain in 1996 and Fernando Alonso’s victories in 2006 and 2013.

In recent years, attendance at the Spanish Grand Prix has grown significantly, with the 2024 event drawing a weekend crowd of nearly 300,000. However, the event is set to move to a new circuit in Madrid from 2026, named the Madring circuit, which will be built around the IFEMA exhibition centre. The new circuit will feature a hybrid street and permanent track design, with a predicted lap time of around 92 seconds in qualifying.

The Spanish Grand Prix has a rich history and continues to be a popular event on the Formula One calendar. With its move to Madrid in 2026, the event is set to continue thrilling fans for years to come even if not from the same venue.

That being said, Barcelona has seen only two different winners over the past ten seasons, with Verstappen and Hamilton sharing the honours. Before this, there was a run of ten different winners for ten consecutive seasons.

This weekend should be a thrilling spectacle and indeed a new winner. Norris and Piastri should be the front two, with Norris currently favourite with his greater experience at this venue. Verstappen should battle the Ferrari resurgence whilst Mercedes will be hoping to put Monaco’s debarcle behind them in an attempt to try and compete for a podium.