Barcelona or Madrid? Lewis Hamilton has already spoken his mind
Lewis Hamilton says he would prefer Circuit de Barcelona and Catalunya to remain on the Formula 1 calendar amid rumors that the Spanish race may soon move to the Madrid street circuit.
Since 1991, F1 has appeared in Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix, and the track is also used extensively for car and tire testing. However, there have been suggestions that it could be replaced by a new event in Madrid, possibly as early as 2025.
Hamiltona six-time Grand Prix winner at the Barcelona track, admits he does not want him to disappear from the racing schedule because of his long history with F1.
Asked if he would be happy to move to a Madrid street circuit, Hamilton said: “As long as it’s not like Valencia, which wasn’t the most fun circuit to drive.” “I don’t think I want to lose. Barcelona.” First of all, I love the city, but there is also a circuit, and I think it’s important that we keep some of the classic places, at least the ones that offer great racing.
Budapest is amazing, the Grand Prix at Silverstone is amazing. There are a lot of great and original tracks on the list that we should keep, and the ones that don’t offer the best racing will probably be closed. I just think about our sport, the legacy of the sport and we have to make sure we stick to it because they are the pillars of what sport is, in my opinion.
At this year’s Barcelona Grand Prix, the chicane in the last sector was removed and a redesign that was used before 2007. The decision was welcomed by Hamilton, who admitted after Friday practice that Mercedes had a lot of work to do to improve its form for the rest of the weekend. Hamilton said: “This sector is very fast. I definitely prefer it to the small build we’ve had in the past. It’s more fun. I haven’t followed anyone out there so I don’t know what the racing will be like, but it will definitely make it fun.”
Due to the possibility of rain at the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday, precautions were taken with regard to the tires provided to the drivers. They will get an extra set of medium tires before qualifying due to weather concerns at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Due to the rain at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a race director’s note issued by the FIA prior to the start of the race confirmed the decision based on weather forecasts.
Niels Wittich’s note says: “Based on the weather forecast from the official weather service provider, each driver will be provided with an extra set of intermediate tires before qualifying begins.”
This means that drivers will have five combinations at their disposal instead of the usual four. While Friday’s practice sessions were held in dry and warm conditions, the forecast is that rain could hit the area on Saturday and Sunday.
