2021 F1 Spanish Grand Prix - Race Day - As it happened

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Connor McDonagh

09 May 2021

2021 F1 Spanish Grand Prix - Race Day - As it happened

The Formula 1 circus continues as we head to Barcelona for the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix.

The familiar Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya plays host to this weekend's grand prix.

While it didn't host pre-season testing for the first time in many years, drivers know Barcelona's circuit very well.

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For this year, Turn 10 has been modified slightly as organisers have opened the corner up, reducing the size of the braking zone slightly.

Whether it has an impact on overtaking, time will tell but the run down to Turn 1 still remains the best opportunity on race day.

In terms of the championships, Lewis Hamilton holds an eight-point lead over Max Verstappen following the Mercedes driver's second victory of the season last time out at Portimao.

Hamilton overtook Verstappen and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas on his way to his 97th F1 career victory.

Bottas was unable to convert the 17th pole of his career into a victory as he ultimately finished third, his second podium of 2021.

Looking at the midfield battle, Lando Norris was once again 'best of the rest' behind the leading two teams for McLaren, while Ferrari and Alpine were close behind at Portimao.

What to expect from this weekend?

Conditions are expected to remain dry on Friday and Saturday, while there's a chance of rain for Sunday's race.

Pirelli has nominated the C1, C2 and C3 tyre for this weekend's event.

Hamilton has won the last four Spanish Grands Prix. Mercedes hasn't been beaten to pole in Barcelona since 2012.

Ahead of the weekend, Pirelli's Mario Isola said: “The race strategy in Barcelona was influenced primarily by the very high track temperatures last season. This year, with the race moving back to a spring date, temperatures will be cooler but should still be a key factor behind the strategy. The altered corner profile of Turn 10 provides another new challenge that could influence the way the drivers approach the lap. We’ve seen in the past that strategy has been one of the key differentiating factors at Barcelona and we would expect this to become the case once more this weekend.”