The 2024 F1 Spanish GP will be the beginning of the first triple-header of the season. Most importantly, this triple header could easily be the one that decides the direction in which the 2024 season goes. The last four races have been intense.
In each of them, we’ve had a battle for the win, and unlike the single dominance which was the 2023 season, this time around we have competition. We’ve already had 4 different race winners this season, with 3 different winners in the last four races.
Heading into the 2024 F1 Spanish GP, while it appears that Max Verstappen has the driver’s championship locked, the constructors’ championship is still in the air. The next three races are crucial and could indicate how the season pans out.
So what can we expect from the 2024 F1 Spanish GP? Let’s take a look.
2024 F1 Spanish GP: Preview
Key Storylines
#1 Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez got a contract extension pre-Canada in a move that surprised a lot of people. The Mexican’s performance in Canada was also a cause for concern because even though Max won the race, McLaren still closed the gap on Red Bull in the championship.
The Sergio Perez mid-season slump is nothing new and has happened far too often. What’s new is that Red Bull can be challenged for the title this time.
The F1 Spanish GP has a more conventional track layout and that should help Red Bull. It could help Perez as well as help him try to find his groove.
#2 The pecking order
The last four races have made one thing quite clear, the top 3 teams are very close to each other. In Canada, we had Mercedes throw down the gauntlet and secure pole position. What can we expect in the F1 Spanish GP? Well, the brutal kerbs that hurt Red Bull will not be there in Barcelona, which could be a positive for the team.
Having said that, where would Mercedes end up is a very interesting question because that could determine how the rest of the season turns out for the German squad.
#3 The Ferrari upgrade
Ferrari is possibly the one team that might be bringing a big upgrade to the car in Barcelona. If the Italian media is to be believed (which can be hard at times), the new floor will be worth two-tenths.
If the team gets the advantage and makes the jump, then that’s brilliant, but it’s best to wait and see where the chips fall for the team.
Form guide
On Form
Securing the team’s first pole position of the season and the first podium certainly has seen perceptions change for George. The Mercedes driver has been the dominant one in the team and has had Lewis under his thumb for the most part.
The F1 Spanish GP last season saw Mercedes secure a double podium. While there are questions around the car, the driver will be hopeful for a strong one this weekend.
Out of Form
The one name that pops up is Sergio Perez. Whether he has a contract for the next two seasons or not, it doesn’t matter if your performance is this poor. The driver needs to ramp things up at the F1 Spanish GP.
2024 F1 Spanish GP: Predictions
Who will win the race?
By the looks of it, this might be another race where it comes down to the last few hundredths and who makes the least mistakes. At first glance, Max Verstappen should be considered the favorite here because of how he’s raced this season, but if a Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc does beat him, it won’t come as a surprise.
Surprise of the weekend (Team)
Aston Martin has not done well on tracks where aerodynamic efficiency will play a crucial role. The high-speed sections are going to expose the team here, and so would the demand on tires, we’re going with RB to have the edge here as the team emerges as the 5th fastest team at the F1 Spanish GP.
Surprise of the weekend (Driver)
Daniel Ricciardo should a few people up with his performance in Canada. Heading to Barcelona, there’s a question of what version turns up. Is it going to be the one who turned heads in Miami or the one who is clueless about his lack of speed?
We’re backing a stronger F1 Spanish GP as he builds on a good foundation of the race in Canada.
Disappointment of the weekend (Team)
Mercedes surprised everyone (including itself) with its bid for pole position and win in Canada. The track layout, however, is the complete opposite of what we have in the F1 Spanish GP.
The fast-speed sections here replace the slow-speed ones in Canada, and those sections have been a weakness for the German squad. Mercedes will be back to being the 4th fastest team, and after fighting for the win, this would be a bit disappointing.
Disappointment of the weekend (Driver)
The problem with Sergio Perez is that the driver is still around three-tenths of a second per lap slower than Max Verstappen. While this doesn’t make much of a difference when the car is comfortably the fastest, it makes a difference when the car is at the same pace as the three other teams.
That’s where Sergio is struggling at this stage and it’s hard to see the situation changing any time soon. The F1 Spanish GP has never been the best track for the Mexican anyway. Expect the driver to lag behind as Max goes solo at the front of the grid.