Spanish Grand Prix Preview: Red Bull Favored as Max Verstappen Aims for Pole and Race Win

One week on from the iconic Monaco Grand Prix the racing has moved to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix.  These two circuits could not be any more different from each other.  For 2023 the track has been altered to increase speed by removing the final chicane and reverting the track back to its original layout.  This could potentially increase tyre temperatures and therefore increase tyre wear on a track which has already proven to be hard on tyres.  Last year there were a total of 53 pit stops as the drivers used a mixture of two and three pit stop strategies, using the three hardest tyre compounds.  On a track that once again has proven to be difficult to overtake, multiple pit stops will make strategies important for drivers to improve track position.

In qualifying Ferrari should perform well and are likely to be the closest team to Red Bull over one lap, however the hard tyre compounds have affected the Ferrari more than other teams so I don’t see them as a threat during Sunday’s race.

Mercedes introduced big changes to the concept of their car in Monaco and as a result Lewis Hamilton looked a lot more comfortable and happy with the W14.  Now placing one point behind Aston-Martin in the Constructors Championship.  I believe Hamilton could be near the front fighting for a podium place.

Spain should be a circuit suited to the Aston-Martin due to being a high downforce track and the fact their car has shown good tyre wear this year they should be able to handle the track being hard on their tyres.

Red Bull will be going into Spain as favourites, and especially with the final two corners being high speed, the circuit should suit their car perfectly.

Due to the speed of the track this weekend I am of the opinion that Max will take a double of both the Pole position in qualifying and the race win.