Force India Race Preview – Barcelona

This weekend our Formula One Technical Partners Force India head to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix. Barcelona surprised the F1 world with snow during testing in February, while the race is actually one of the oldest in the world still contested, and celebrated its centenary in 2013.

The circuit comprises a series of corners either side of the long start-finish straight, with only one other short DRS zone in the middle, ending in a tight hairpin. Overtaking can therefore be very difficult in Barcelona, so it’s important for the team to do well in qualifying. Given their recent run of Q3 appearances, it’s very promising for the two Force India drivers.

On the back of a mixed weekend in Baku, with Checo finishing on the podium and Esteban crashing out on the first lap, Force India will be really hoping to capitalise on their points haul and produce a solid finish for both drivers. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been favourable for the team in the past, and last year the cars finished in P4 and P5 – if they could do that again it would be a great boost for them in the Constructors’ Championship.

Force India’s Driver’s Eye caught up with the drivers to ask them about their thoughts for the weekend ahead:

“Finishing on the podium in Baku felt amazing,” Checo told them. “After a few tough races we finally got a result we deserved.

“Barcelona was our best result as a team last year so you never know what can happen this year. It’s a track we know really well because of testing, but of course the car has changed a lot since the pre-season and it will be interesting to feel the difference the upgrades have made. Unlike in Baku, overtaking is quite difficult at Barcelona so we will need to be perfect in qualifying.”

Despite his disappointment not finishing in Baku, Esteban was also upbeat about the team’s chances in Barcelona. “Last year we did really well there; the pace was good all over the weekend and we raced really well,” he said. “We have been making good progress with the car recently so we have to target some good points.”

Force India are looking steady this weekend, much like the weather in sunny Spain. We’ll leave you with a lap of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to get you in the mood for this weekend’s racing: