“From the test last week, it was clear that the medium compound was, on the whole, the more competitive,” head of track engineering Kees van der Grint revealed, “However, we should keep in mind that track temperatures last week and in February were on the low side and we also had rain, which meant we had quite a green track at times.
“Should we experience higher temperatures during the race weekend, the hard compound tyre could well come into play. Last week's test also enabled the teams to run both the wet and extreme wet weather tyres and, in our opinion, both performed well in their respective windows.”
A circuit where aerodynamics are crucial, Barcelona has also undergone changes ahead of this season's grand prix, but van der Grint does not foresee any major problems on the tyre front.
“In the past, the nature of this circuit has resulted in high degradation and graining, particularly on the front left tyres,” he noted, “However, this has become less of an issue now as the construction of the 2007 tyres provides a good balance for the cars and that, in combination with the track layout changes and the introduction of the chicane, which make speeds lower through the final turns, has resulted in a less severe circuit from a tyre manufacturer's point of view.”
THE TRACK:
Race distance: 66 laps - Circuit length: 2.875 miles (4.627 km)
Built as part of Barcelona's Olympic development programme, the Circuit de Catalunya is located 20kms north of the Calatan capital on land purchased by the Real Automóvil Club de Catalunya. It was the RACC's wish to bring
F1 back to Spain's spiritual home of motorsport on a permanent basis and the Circuit de Catalunya has hosted every Spanish GP since it was completed in 1991.
