BARCELONA – The 6th race of this Formula 1 Grand Prix season is scheduled for this weekend in Barcelona at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Moreover, this is a well-known circuit for the drivers who know overtaking will be difficult. Therefore, that is precisely why a good qualification becomes important.
This Formula 1 race will be a home race for Spanish drivers Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso. Although the season is still young, only Sainz seems to have a chance at a possible podium finish. For the time being, however, there are other drivers within Formula 1 who are currently in the spotlight: the Dutch world champion Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc from Monaco, who started this season with a lightning-fast Ferrari.
Over the past week, several teams have been talking about a considerable package of updates for the cars and the technology surrounding them. Where Ferrari had a flying start this season, Red Bull – and especially Max Verstappen – is getting closer and closer to the number 1 of the moment in the last races.
Formula 1 standings before the race of Spain starts
Currently, Leclerc is in first place with 104 points. However, Max Verstappen is getting closer and closer and has now achieved 85 points. Verstappen won his first Formula 1 race ever at the Barcelona circuit in 2016 at the age of 18. When he does this again, the gap between him and Leclerc gets smaller and smaller.
Furthermore, the two seasoned drivers Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso will play a home game in Spain this weekend. Sainz currently has 53 points and is in fifth place. However, Fernando Alonso has only scored 2 points in five races to date and is in 16th place.
What time and where will the race be broadcast in Spain?
Below is the timetable of all sessions that will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This concerns the local times in Barcelona.
- Friday 20 May from 14.00-15.00: first free training
- Friday 20 May from 17.00-18.00: second free practice
- Saturday 21 May from 13.00-14.00: third free practice
- Saturday 21 May from 4-5 pm: qualification
- Sunday 22 May at 3 p.m.: race
The race can be followed live from Spain via Telecinco or Mediaset (qualification and race only). The race and various extras can also be viewed with a subscription to Movistar Plus+ and DAZN.
World Champion Max Verstappen in Barcelona
What is special is that free practice starts on Friday afternoon with two Dutch drivers. Not only Max Verstappen will test his car on the Spanish circuit, newcomer Nyck de Vries will also make his official debut in Formula 1 this weekend and will be allowed to drive the first free practice for the Williams team.
The Formula 1 teams are obliged this season to let a novice driver drive at least twice during the first free practice. Nyck de Vries has been successful in Formula 2 and Formula E in recent years and is under contract with Mercedes.
