By Joe Murphy
F1 teams have been testing at Barcelona’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for decades, and it’s become a staple of the testing calendar. The circuit’s location on the Mediterranean coast means the weather’s usually warm and sunny, making it perfect for getting miles on the car. The track itself is a great all-rounder, with a mix of high-speed corners like Turn 1’s downhill left-hander, slow hairpins like the Turn 10 chicane, and everything in between.
This variety lets teams test various aspects of the car, from aerodynamics to tyre compounds. The circuit’s facilities are top-notch too, with a range of surfaces and configurations available, including the famous ‘Turn 4’ high-speed corner that’s been used for numerous tyre tests. Plus, it’s conveniently located for most European-based teams, making it a logistical dream.
Barcelona’s been hosting F1 testing since the 1990s, and it’s played host to some iconic moments in F1 history. Who can forget Michael Schumacher’s dominant testing sessions here in the early 2000s, or more recent battles between Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari? The circuit’s familiarity makes it a great place for teams to push the car to its limits and beyond. Teams like the set up and location and being fairly central on the planet helps.
It’s often used for pre-season testing, where teams shake down their new cars and get a feel for the next season’s regulations. It’s also a popular spot for mid-season development runs, where teams bring new parts and upgrades to test in a more relaxed environment. With its winning combination of weather, track, and facilities, Barcelona’s likely to remain a key testing hub for F1 teams as we enter the next era of the sport.
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