The Telegraph 11 August 2020 - by Telegraph Sport
© 2020 Getty Images BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 28: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W11 on track during Day Three of F1 Winter Testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 28, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
What is it?
The 2020 Spanish Grand prix, the sixth race of the delayed Formula One season, which takes place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmelo.
When is it?
The first two free practice sessions take place on Friday August 14, with final practice and qualifying on Saturday August 15. The Spanish Grand Prix itself takes place on Sunday August 16.
What time does it start?
First practice starts at 10am on Friday, second free practice is at 2pm on Friday. Final practice is at 11am on Saturday and qualifying begins at 2pm the same day. British Summer Time. The Grand Prix starts at the now customary time of 2.10pm BST.
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports F1 have exclusive coverage rights in the UK this year and indeed for the next few. Their qualifying program starts at 1pm, with race coverage on Sunday at 12.30pm.
Channel 4 have highlights for this year. Their qualifying program starts at 6.30pm on Saturday and their race highlights at the same time on Sunday.
What do we know about the Circuit de Barceolna-Catalunya?
- Circuit length: 4.655km
- First grand prix: 1991
- Laps: 66
- Race distance: 307.104
- Race lap record: 1.18.441 - Daniel Ricciardo, 2018
- 2018 winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
- Number of corners: 16
- Overtaking chances: Not great, overall. At the end of two DRS zones into tight-ish corners are the best opportunities: at the end of the back straight and the pit straight respectively. That said, with the mega downforce, these cars have the corners are not the big braking zones they once were. Get a good exit from the quick, long right-hander at turn three through and putting one down the inside of turn four isn't impossible, though. Perhaps this race will give us a real test of whether the regulation changes have made any difference to how difficult it is to follow a car ahead
What are the latest odds?
- Lewis Hamilton 1/2
- Valtteri Bottas 7/2
- Max Verstappen 4/1
- Sergio Perez 40/1
- Charles Leclerc 40/1
- Lance Stroll 66/1
What is our prediction?
Last weekend's 70th Anniversary Grand Prix threw up a tremendous surprise in Max Verstappen's victory. It also exposed a weakness in the Mercedes W11, notably their performance on softer tyres and in higher temperatures. With the weather forecast in Montmelo this weekend supposed to be similar to Silverstone last week (how about that!) and a track that has fairly similar characteristics (although not quite as high speed), there is a chance of a repeat. Especially as there is only a week between rounds. I would say that a step harder compound tyres will help Mercedes out but that also they will be able to work around whatever problems they have.
1st Hamilton 2nd Bottas 3rd Verstappen
