Spanish Grand Prix: Stage Preview

      The Formula 1 owners were wise to put together three relatively boring races in one series. Overtaking in Imola, Monaco and Barcelona is difficult, a lot is decided in qualifying, but each of these Grands Prix is unique and deservedly occupies a place in the calendar.

      It is very likely that we will no longer see the three of them in this form – Imola, Monaco and Barcelona in a row. The contract for the Imola races has ended – the stage has returned to the calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic and has already played its role, besides, the Italians have a national Grand Prix in Monza. Monaco will remain for now, and in addition to Barcelona, a new urban circuit in Madrid will debut in the calendar in 2026, and it is quite obvious which one will remain in the end.

      The number of people willing to host the Grand Prix is growing every year, the calendar is already crowded, and it will gradually lose historical, but not very profitable stages. Following Imola, Zandfort will lose the championship this year. The organizers monetized Verstappen's successes as much as possible when he dominated, but they did not find serious sponsors capable of financing the stage.

      In Barcelona, the most efficient car always wins, and it doesn't matter if it's better than the others – aerodynamics or engine power. The Catalan circuit places the cars so precisely according to their qualifying rating that they then finish the race in almost the same order – in Barcelona, the pole position statistics are even more convincing than in Monaco.

      I wonder who will rise to the top of the podium this time. Over the past ten years, Hamilton has won this race five times, Verstappen four times and Nico Rosberg once – but also from Mercedes. Last year, Lando Norris finished the race second, losing only a couple of seconds at the finish line – since then, McLaren has improved significantly and now the bookmakers are betting on them.

      The Spanish Grand Prix completes the spring series of nine races in twelve weeks. A third of the season is over, the balance of power is clear, the teams are finalizing the cars – by the end of the season, only those decisions that were planned in advance will appear.

      From the point of view of calendar saturation, there is a relatively quiet period ahead, but not for teams that are doing everything to start a new and successful chapter in their history next year with new regulations.

      Well, over the next twelve weeks, we have five Grands Prix and a big summer break, followed by a busy end to the season.

      I wonder if Fernando Alonso will be able to earn his first points in Spain this year? Before that, he was very successful at Aston Martin, they relied on him. Fernando's success has boosted ticket sales for the Grand Prix, as have Carlos Sainz's performances at Ferrari.

      Now Fernando is without points, Sainz at Williams – a year ago they had 149 points between them before the Spanish stage, now they have 12, and Aston Martin is betting on Adrian Newey, who previously coped with the change of regulations better than others.

      If it doesn't work out with a triumph, Stroll Sr. can always profitably sell the team, which, thanks to his investments, has significantly increased in price, acquired the latest base, excellent equipment and the best specialists.

      However, the results have so far remained at the Jordan level, from which Midland, Spyker, Force India, Racing Point and Aston Martin later emerged. And going beyond this level is more difficult than investing money. It's something from the field of psychology.