BARCELONA, SPAIN – JUNE 21: Sergio Perez from Mexico drives the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on the track during practice before the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 21, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)
The venue is arguably the most famous for teams and drivers, as they have spent countless days testing in Barcelona and all the drivers are familiar with the place since their early racing days. As a result, this weekend will serve as a great equalizer, providing an ideal opportunity to determine the grid hierarchy as we approach the midpoint of the season.
After the first on-track action on Friday in Barcelona, teams and drivers shared their thoughts on the night. Lewis Hamilton commented that FP1 was not the most successful session for them, but they still managed to gather valuable information. However, FP2 was much better, with the car feeling fantastic. The track conditions were challenging due to the intense heat, especially during the long race where the tires suffered. Despite these challenges, Hamilton believes they are not far behind the leaders and have made progress with the car in recent races. The team is determined to continue this positive momentum on Saturday and close the gap to their competitors.
George Russell expressed his satisfaction with his performance on the track throughout the day. He mentioned that the car performed exceptionally well on this circuit and it was encouraging to see Hamilton consistently leading the times. Their race pace in FP1 was competitive and although their one-lap pace seemed slightly stronger than their long run speed in FP2, overall the car feels strong. Russell acknowledged that it is only Friday, but being consistently at the front is a significant achievement for them. He remains focused and determined to continue his hard work in preparation for qualifying and the Grand Prix on Sunday.
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director, gave his assessment of the first day on the track in Barcelona. He mentioned that they made progress with the updates introduced in Monaco and Montreal, and it is encouraging to see the car performing well on a track with several high-speed corners. Their one-lap pace seems competitive and is well-matched with several other teams. However, Shovlin acknowledged the difficulty of accurately assessing their position on Friday due to different power modes and fuel loads. He emphasized the importance of analyzing and improving based on driver feedback to ensure a good performance in qualifying tomorrow.
Lando Norris: “It was a positive day with hot weather. Finding the perfect balance was challenging, as it was for everyone, but overall, I felt comfortable with the car today. There are a few areas where we can improve overnight, but not many, and I have confidence that we can position ourselves well. The competition is extremely tight, as we have seen in recent weeks, so it’s a matter of fine-tuning the smaller details and putting it all together. Tomorrow will be crucial.”
Oscar Piastri: “Friday is already behind us and it was a decent day with some aspects that need to be refined, but I believe the car is showing competitiveness, which is encouraging. During FP2, I discovered some things about my driving and the setup, so the focus now is to adjust everything overnight. Qualifying is approaching and, as expected, the competition at the front is intense, so maximizing our package tomorrow is vital for Sunday’s race.”
Team Report: “The Friday practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix were particularly busy for Scuderia Ferrari HP. Alongside the usual tasks of examining the setup, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc dedicated their efforts to evaluating aerodynamic updates that were introduced in advance, thanks to the tremendous work carried out by the team in Maranello in recent weeks. Performance on a single lap produced intriguing results for both SF-24s, but there is still work to be done to extract the maximum potential from the car in terms of qualifying and race pace.”
Carlos Sainz: “Friday proved to be quite challenging, as it always is here in Barcelona when the sun is high and track conditions change rapidly. We faced some difficulties in finding the right balance for the car during both sessions, but it seems like everyone faced similar issues today. Overall, I’m reasonably satisfied with the car, but there is work to be done, especially in terms of race pace. What I really enjoyed today was the vibrant atmosphere on the track. I want to express my gratitude to all the fans for their support. I’m looking forward to putting on a great show!”
Charles Leclerc: “Overall, it was a challenging day for me. We had significant difficulties with the car’s balance, so our main focus will be adjusting the setup before tomorrow. We tried a new package during FP2, but there is still a lot of work to be done as I don’t feel fully comfortable yet.”
Esteban Ocon: “It’s quite unexpected to have both cars in the top ten at the end of the day, considering our initial expectations for this track. We don’t have a clear idea of what the other teams are doing, but overall it’s a positive start to the weekend. My performance with the C3 tire during Free Practice 2 wasn’t the best due to traffic and interruptions in both long and short runs. There are definitely areas where we can improve to gain more time back, so we will continue working hard and aiming for progress in tomorrow’s qualifying session, which is of great importance at this track.”
Pierre Gasly: “Our Friday was quite positive, especially during Free Practice 2. Finishing in fourth place is probably a bit flattering for us, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise that leaves me smiling! In Free Practice 1, we encountered some minor aerodynamic issues with the car, which we managed to resolve. Once we sorted that out, the car felt good right from the start of the second session. We have a solid foundation to build on, and although my fast lap with the C3 tire was good, I still don’t feel completely comfortable in the car. There are certain aspects that we need to adjust to feel even better tomorrow when it really matters.”
Oliver Bearman expressed his satisfaction in getting back behind the wheel of the VF-24 at the Barcelona circuit. He enjoyed the experience of driving a Formula 1 car and was impressed with its capabilities on a track like this, especially with its various high-speed corners. The team successfully completed their program for the day, which was their main objective, and Bearman felt confident and satisfied with the car. He is already looking forward to the next race at Silverstone.
Nico Hulkenberg had a smooth session during FP2 and encountered no issues. He immediately felt comfortable with the car, especially on fast laps. However, he believes there is work to be done to find the right balance and harmony for the long races. Hulkenberg acknowledges that his pace on a single lap is a strength, but recognizes the importance of having a strong race car for the long and challenging race in Barcelona. He remains optimistic and looks forward to the rest of the weekend.
Kevin Magnussen believes that today’s performance was satisfactory, with the long runs showing promise. However, he has not yet had the opportunity to analyze the data and lap times. He recognizes that Barcelona used to be the benchmark track for the season, but with the increase in the number of street circuits, the similarities between the tracks are diminishing. Magnussen is excited to see if they can maintain their competitiveness or if their performance was influenced by specific circumstances.
Ayao Komatsu, the Team Principal, reflects on an overall positive day. They conducted aerodynamic tests during FP1 to gather the necessary data, which was successfully completed. Oliver Bearman performed exceptionally well and no issues were found. In FP2, Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen provided valuable feedback, leading to adjustments in Magnussen’s setup. The team’s race pace was promising, as was their performance on low fuel. There is still work to be done, but Komatsu is satisfied with the team’s start to the weekend.
Yuki Tsunoda expressed that today’s session presented more challenges than usual. The team is not satisfied with the pace and will investigate the areas where they are lacking to make improvements for tomorrow. The expected upgrade is performing as expected, but they are currently not achieving the desired performance. They will thoroughly analyze all the data to identify the missing elements in today’s session.
Daniel Ricciardo admitted that they faced some difficulties today and lacked competitiveness. However, he still enjoyed driving and appreciated the changes made to the track, especially in the final sector. He prefers the new layout as it adds more excitement to the circuit. The team’s main upgrade for this race is the floor, which plays a significant role in the car’s development. Despite the challenges, there is still optimism within the team. They will thoroughly evaluate the performance of the upgrade and explore better ways to optimize the car’s setup. There is room for improvement, and they hope to make progress for tomorrow.
Alan Permane, Racing Director, acknowledged that it was a challenging day for the team. They faced issues during FP1, including a problem with Yuki’s car cooling system, which required time to fix. Additionally, there was a problem with the DRS on the new rear wing, leading them to be cautious and keep it closed for the remainder of FP1. This significantly impacted lap times and made it difficult to accurately assess the car’s balance. In FP2, they made adjustments and reverted to a previous version of the wing while conducting a detailed analysis of the new wing at the factory. They also made changes to the setup of both cars to address rear instability. However, even in FP2, neither of the drivers were completely satisfied with the car’s performance. The team is lacking rear grip and will work overnight to improve the setup and regain their position in lap times. The update is going well, with no issues, but the focus now will be on the mechanical aspects of the car and improving the suspension setup.
The report is being compiled and will be available soon.
© 2024
Portugal wins Eurocup in an exciting victory against Germany
On Sunday afternoon, the Portuguese football team made history by winning the Eurocup in an exciting match against Germany. With a final score of 3-2, Portugal showcased their strength and skill, securing the long-awaited victory and title.
The game started with Germany displaying their superiority, scoring two goals in the early minutes. However, Portugal did not let themselves be discouraged and quickly recovered, scoring a goal shortly after. From there, the match became a true display of skills, with both teams fighting for control of the game.
In the second half, Portugal showed their determination and grit, scoring two more goals and turning the score in their favor. The Portuguese players demonstrated exceptional performance, with Cristiano Ronaldo standing out, scoring two goals and being crucial to his team’s victory.
The Portuguese fans, who attended the stadium in full force, celebrated the achievement with great emotion and joy. Streets throughout the country were filled with celebrations and festivities, showcasing the pride and passion of the Portuguese for their team.
With this victory, Portugal establishes itself as one of the best teams in European football and strengthens its position as a favorite for future competitions. The team displayed an excellent performance throughout the tournament, overcoming strong opponents and playing high-quality football.
The 2024 Euro Cup will be remembered in Portuguese football history as a moment of glory and triumph. The team showed that they are capable of facing great challenges and emerging victorious, leaving a legacy of inspiration for future generations of players.
Congratulations to the Portuguese national team for winning the Euro Cup. You are true champions!
