Will New Regulations Deliver Spanish Grand Prix Results?
The 2022 Formula 1 season is already five races into its 23-race calendar. This weekend the show – fresh from its debut in Miami – will take its first stop in Europe. The action will take place in Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. It is a popular venue, and one the teams and drivers know well as it is used for winter testing.
Charles Leclerc currently has a 19-point lead in the World Drivers’ Championship standings. ©GettyImages
The championship already looks like a straight fight between Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Despite suffering two mechanical breakdowns, Verstappen trails his rival by just 19 world championship points courtesy of three race victories. Leclerc has won the season’s other two races and has taken an additional two second-place trophies.
A Wing and a Line
On paper, this weekend’s venue would appear to suit the Ferrari team more than Red Bull. Barcelona is a high-downforce track in terms of car set-up and wing level. It means maximum speeds are less important than fast cornering. So far, the 2022 form has shown Red Bull’s advantage has come where flat-out speed is the vital ingredient for success.
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is considered an ideal track for testing a Formula 1 car. Its wide range of corner types, long straights and slow-speed corners put focus on both mechanical grip and aerodynamic grip. It is a massive challenge for car builders.
It is also a challenge for drivers. There are no obvious overtaking spots. Even the pit straight – where most overtaking happens at most races – ends in a braking zone that is not particularly heavy. As a consequence, the track is notorious for its monotonous processional racing. Traditionally cars finish this race strung out like washing on a line.
Will Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying Prove Decisive?
The Spanish Grand Prix venue will be a good indicator of the effectiveness of the new 2022 technical regulations. They were designed to make it easier for cars to follow one another and then overtake. Fans have seen promising signs so far. This race is the acid test.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has traditionally delivered a boring spectacle. Will 2022 regulation changes finally allow it to produce an exciting race? ©MercedesF1
Historically, 23 of the 31 races that have taken place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya were won from pole position. Three other winners started from second. So, unless the new regulations work the oracle, a strong Saturday qualifying session is likely to prove crucial to Verstappen’s and Leclerc’s chances.
In 2022 Leclerc has been the most successful qualifying driver. He has claimed three pole positions so far. The 24-year-old can be backed at 11/10 to make that four on Saturday. The best Formula 1 betting sites also offer 7/5 about him winning Sunday’s race.
But the standout bet of the weekend would appear to be the 5/2 on offer about any driver to qualify on pole, win the race and also set the fastest lap. In 2022s five races to date, Charles Leclerc achieved the feat in both the Bahrain and Australian Grand Prix. Max Verstappen completed the same treble in Italy’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
