What time does the Spanish Grand Prix start? What channel is the Spanish Grand Prix on? The answers to all of that and more in F1i’s race preview
After the opening four flyaway races of an F1 season, it is usually an opportunity for the majority in the sport to catch their breath. While team personnel in the factories will be franticly trying to ensure the first major upgrades of the season will be ready on time, the rest look forward to shorter trips after already flying nearly twice around the world. But it looks like someone didn’t give Red Bull that memo, and the week since the Russian Grand Prix has seen Max Verstappen replace Daniil Kvyat in a move that puts all four drivers at Red Bull and Toro Rosso on their toes. It’s going to be an interesting weekend…
FORM GUIDE
Nico Rosberg stands on the verge of matching one of the more exclusive driver records in F1. Only Nigel Mansell and Michael Schumacher have won five races in a row from the start of a season, and Rosberg can equal that record on a track where he won from pole last year. Lewis Hamilton needs to stop Rosberg’s run, while Ferrari will be looking for a strong two-car finish after a difficult start to the year. Williams showed improved pace in Russia and could threaten Ferrari and Red Bull again this weekend, while major upgrades could mix up the close midfield battle between Toro Rosso, McLaren, Force India and Haas.
2015 RESULT
Pole position: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), 1:24.681
Top three: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Fastest lap: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 1:28.270
SESSION TIMES (All times local)
FP1: 10:00 - 11:30
FP2: 14:00 - 15:30
FP3: 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00 - 15:00
Race: 1400
TYRE CHOICES
©Pirelli
©Pirelli
WEATHER FORECAST
Not quite the warm welcome F1 sometimes gets at the start of the European season, this weekend is looking like it could be relatively cool and slightly disrupted by rain at the Circuit de Catalunya. Friday is most likely to see running affected by the weather, with showers forecast in the afternoon. Saturday is set to be the warmest day with temperatures reaching the 22C mark but the current outlook sees lower temperatures on race day, though it should stay dry.
UK TELEVISION TIMINGS (All times UK)
Sky Sports F1 - Live coverage
FP1 - 0845
FP2 - 1245
FP3 - 0945
Qualifying - 1200
Race - 1130
Channel 4 - Live coverage
FP1 - 0855
FP2 - 1255
FP3 - 0955
Qualifying - 1200
Race - 1200
PODIUM PREDICTION
1st - Lewis Hamilton
2nd - Sebastian Vettel
3rd - Kimi Raikkonen
2015 BEST SHOT
Silbermann says... Too many angry Bulls in Spain
Technical focus: Halo or Aeroscreen?
