Spain Circuit Guide

Whilst its future might be in doubt, the Circuit de Catalunya will once again launch the start of the European season.

Whilst its future might be in doubt, the Circuit de Catalunya will once again launch the start of the European season. The circuit layout has a good mix of corners and undulations, however it is not known for its overtaking. In 1999 there was only one reported passing move during the entire race and 2011 was the first time in 11 years that the pole-sitter has not won the race. When the grand prix moved from Jerez to the new purpose-built track near Barcelona in 1991, the cars depended much less on aerodynamics, meaning the airflow was cleaner and drivers could slip stream each other out of the final two quick corners and down the long pit-straight. However as more aerodynamic parts were added, the cars started to produce more turbulent air meaning that slip-streaming became a problem. German track designer Hermann Tilke's solution was to redesign the final two corners and create a chicane to try to keep the cars closer together heading on the pit-straight. This design has failed to deliver the promised overtakes and instead it has cost fans the spectacle of mechanical engineering working at its peak, as cars take the final two corners flat out, flirting with the limitations of grip. However with DRS and KERS once again available in 2012, the run to turn 1 remains the best overtaking on the circuit, provided the driver can make a clean finish to the lap. Another opportunity to pass is at the turn 10 hairpin following the back straight. The corner was modified in 2004, tightening the apex, whilst creating room to run the car wide on the exit.