Circuit facts
History lesson
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar since 1991. Such is the track’s eclectic mix of corners, it has become F1’s preferred testing venue, but it hasn’t always hosted motorised events. It was one of the many building projects ahead of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, during which the track hosted the time-trial cycling events
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What makes the track unique
The number of medium and high-speed corners. Only three of the circuit’s 16 turns are taken at less than 100km/h (62mph) and the result is an average speed of 200km/h (124mph).
Grip levels
High. The asphalt is old and abrasive, which means grip levels are good. So good, in fact, that the front-left tyre gets worked really hard through the fast right-hander, Turn Three.
Run-off
Medium. The track was built in 1991, so it cannot be described as old, but it precedes the modern obsession with asphalt run-off areas. For that reason, there is still a lot of gravel and, in a few places, not huge amounts of run-off.
Watch out for…
Turn Nine. This is a very fast right-hander, taken in sixth gear at 165km/h (103mph). Drivers need to be extremely accurate with their steering inputs and throttle applications, or, at best, they risk losing a lot of time down the ensuing straight.
Circuit stats:
2015 winner: Nico Rosberg, 66 laps, 1:41:12.555s
2015 pole position: Nico Rosberg, 1m24.681s
2015 fastest lap: Lewis Hamilton, 1m28.270s, (lap 54)
Name: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
First race: 1991
Circuit length: 4.655km/2.892 miles (14th longest track of the year)
Distance to Turn One: 4730m/0.454 miles (longest of the season)
Longest straight: 1.047km/0.651 miles, on the approach to Turn One (the longest of the season: China, 1.17km/0.727 miles)
Top speed: 345km/h/214mph, on the approach to Turn One (fastest of season: Monza, 360km/h/224mph)
Pitlane length: 330m/0.206 miles, estimated time loss 22s (longest of season: Silverstone, 457m/0.283 miles)
Full throttle: 63 per cent (highest of season: Monza, 75 per cent)
DRS zones: Two, on the approaches to Turns One and 10
Key corner: Turn Three, an uphill right-hander, through which the cars accelerate from 180km/h (112mph) to 260km/h (162mph). To be fast through here, a car needs a good high-speed balance
Fastest corner: 265km/h (165mph), Turn Nine
Slowest corner: 75km/h (47mph), Turn 10
Major changes for 2016: No major changes
Fuel consumption: 1.7kg per lap, making it fairly average
ERS demands: Medium
Brake wear: Medium. There are eight braking events around the lap, but only two big stops, into Turns One and 10
Gear changes: 44 per lap/2904 per race
