What’s interesting is that the emphasis during testing is changing: as the teams get up to speed with their new cars the work has become much more focussed, with some longer runs and potential race set-ups being evaluated. Paul Hembery, Pirelli’s motorsport director, said: “We managed to collect a lot of data from our test with all the teams in Jerez and we’ve been very busy evaluating it to see what we can learn. This will be the final opportunity that the teams have to sample all four dry tyres from the Pirelli range – supersoft, soft, medium and hard – as from the Bahrain test onwards only the compounds that have been selected as the prime and the option for the races will be provided. The modifications have been incorporated following feedback from the teams and from the extensive data accrued by Pirelli’s engineers. Pirelli will bring an evolution version of the supersoft and soft compound PZero tyre, as well as the medium and hard compounds. On the chassis side, the circuit offers one of the biggest technical challenges of the season with the faster corners rewarding good aerodynamic efficiency. Only around 60% of the lap is spent at full throttle, but the 1.047km main straight requires good peak power, while the circuit’s unique flow of corners demands good driveability from the engine and a responsive gearbox. It is not too demanding on engines, but it still gives the unit a thorough workout. The circuit puts every aspect of the car package to the test, making it something of a benchmark for performance. Braking stability is important and it is essential to get a good car balance in the slow speed corners. It is quite a severe circuit but one which is used a lot by Formula One teams, so it is good for a driver with ambitions to have a successful race here.

The Circuit de Catalunya is a track that is well known to teams and drivers, courtesy of its long-standing popularity as a winter testing destination, visited every year without fail.

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