Barcelona pre-season data 'not the most relevant' - Perez

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Racing Point's Sergio Perez says the massive data collected by teams during pre-season testing won't be of significant value next weekend at Barcelona.

Buoyed by a productive sixth-place finish in Azerbaijan, Perez will be looking to sustain his momentum at the Circuit de Catalunya.

"The result in Baku was a big boost for us," said the Mexican ahead of next weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

"We were competitive all weekend and we got both cars home in the points. We have now scored points in every race so far this year and we need to keep up this momentum.

Kvyat: Friday running no longer necessary for F1 teams

"I’m looking forward to racing in Barcelona. The early-season fly-away races are exciting, but it is nice to be back in Europe getting ready for some of the more traditional races.

"Of course, Barcelona is a track where we’ve already done so much testing and I don’t think there are any more secrets to discover from the track."

Indeed, there's isn't a crack in the tarmac or a bump in the road that is unknown to the teams and drivers, but that baseline knowledge won't provide a shortcut to a good set-up for race day insists Perez.

"Even after two weeks of winter testing in Barcelona, finding the right set-up for the race weekend remains a challenge," he says.

"The data you have from testing is not the most relevant and the temperatures will be very different.

"Completing a clean and tidy Friday is therefore really important to get the tyre data for the race.

"It’s also famous for being a track where overtaking is extremely difficult so you have to focus on really maximising qualifying."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.