The 2015 Spanish GP preview

Everything you need to know about this weekend's race!

By William Esler

Formula 1 returns to Barcelona which hosted two of the 2015 pre-season tests. But, this time the weather will be much warmer.

F1 returns to its spiritual home of Europe this weekend, with the now traditional opener of this phase of the season at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain.

Following four flyaway events, this race is poised to be the first time any major upgrade packages are brought to the 2015 cars due to the proximity to the teams’ bases.

So read on below as Sky Sports Digital provides your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about the grand prix weekend.

The 2015 Spanish GP in a nutshell

Track: Circuit de Catalunya. Permanent circuit.

Race start time: 1pm UK time Sunday (2pm local).

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Laps: 66.

Track length: 4.655 km.

More from Spanish Gp 2015

Tyre allocation: Hard (orange) and Medium (white).

DRS Zones: Two with separate detection points (Pit Straight and between Turns Nine and 10).

Driver steward: TBA.

Lap record: Kimi Raikkonen - 1:21.670 (Ferrari; 2008).

2014 pole: Lewis Hamilton - 1:25.232 (Mercedes).

Image: Lewis Hamilton: On pole in 2014

Sky Sports F1’s schedule

Wednesday May 6

9pm - Classic Races - Canada 1995.

Thursday May 7

2pm - Drivers’ Press Conference - Live!

5:35pm - Drivers’ Press Conference - Replay.

8:45pm - Paddock Uncut

9pm - Classic Races - Hungary 1992.

Friday May 8

8:45am - Spanish GP Practice One - Live!

11am - GP2 Practice - Live!

12:45pm - Spanish GP Practice Two - Live!

2:50pm - GP2 Qualifying - Live!

4pm - Team Principals’ Press Conference.

5pm - The F1 Show - Live!

Anthony Davidson guides you through the Spanish GP track.

Saturday May 9

8:45am - GP3 Qualifying - Live!

9:45am - Spanish GP Practice Three - Live!

12pm - Spanish GP Qualifying - Live!

2:35pm - GP2 Feature Race - Live!

4:15pm - GP3 Race One - Live!

8:30pm - Ted’s Qualifying Notebook.

Sunday May 10

8:20am - GP3 Race Two - Live!

9:30am - GP2 Sprint Race - Live!

11:30am - The 2015 Spanish GP - Track Parade - Live!

12pm - The 2015 Spanish GP - Pit Lane - Live!

12:30pm - The 2015 Spanish GP - Race - Live!

3:30pm - The 2015 Spanish GP - Paddock Live!

4:15pm - Classic Races - San Marino 1982

6pm - Spanish GP highlights.

7pm - Ted’s Notebook.

Form guide

The 2014 race saw race victor Lewis Hamilton break another duck as Mercedes dominated proceedings in Catalunya. Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen are the only multiple winners of the race still competing in F1 with two wins each. Pastor Maldonado, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Felipe Massa have also stood atop the podium at the Montmelo venue.

2014 result: 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); 2. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes); 3. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull); 4. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 5. Valtteri Bottas (Williams); 6. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari); 7. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari); 8. Romain Grosjean (Lotus); 9. Sergio Perez (Force India); 10. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India).

Last five winners in Spain: 2014: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); 2013: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari); 2012: Pastor Maldonado (Williams); 2011: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 2010: Mark Webber (Red Bull).

Image: Lewis Hamilton: Winner in 2014

Tyre allocation

For the second time this season, after Malaysia, Pirelli are bringing the hardest two tyres in their range to the Spanish GP. The orange-marked hard tyre will serve as the weekend’s ‘prime’ rubber and the white-marked medium the ‘option’ choice.

“The Montmelo circuit is well known for putting high-energy loads through the tyres, while ambient temperatures can also be high,” the Italian firm said.

Sky Bet odds

With three wins from the first four races, Lewis Hamilton unsurprisingly remains the overwhelming favourite with Sky Bet for victory in Barcelona. Check out the full range of Spanish GP odds here.

Not got Sky Sports F1 but want to watch the Spanish GP live? No problem! Get a NOW TV pass from only £6.99

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