AT&T Williams (Monday May 16)
A track that AT&T Williams knows well, having raced here every year since 1991 and completed many thousands of kilometres of testing. The circuit’s long corners are a good test of car stability and aerodynamic performance, and a handful of slow corners towards the end of the lap put an onus on traction.
The most demanding corner on the lap is Turn 3, a long uphill right-hander that is taken almost flat-out. The drivers fight oversteer all the way through it and every time they lift off the throttle, even for a moment, it’s reflected in their lap time. Overtaking is difficult, but that doesn’t worry the Spanish fans. In recent years the circuit has become a shrine to Spanish World Champion Fernando Alonso. New AT&T Williams recruit Pastor Maldonado, a native Spanish-speaker, will no doubt find some support in the crowd as well.
Sam Michael, Technical Director: Barcelona is a circuit that demands good aero efficiency. It isn’t a track that is hard on brakes and with its long high speed corners, the aero efficiency of the cars can be the biggest performance differentiator. The circuit layout hasn't been favourable for overtaking in the past - however with the tyre degradation and the moveable rear wing it will likely be different this year.
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