Lando Norris aims for redemption after a missed chance in Canada.
- Hometown hero Carlos Sainz looks for a podium finish in his last race with Ferrari in Spain.
- Weather conditions and wide-ranging strategies promise an unpredictable race.
- The Alpine team eyes a double points finish, fueled by recent positive momentum.
The 2024 Spanish Grand Prix is shaping up to be a spectacular race. After an electrifying qualifying session, race day promises no less excitement. With weather forecasts hinting at possible rain and varying team strategies, every lap is bound to be a nail-biter. Lando Norris, who narrowly missed out in Canada, is determined to grab the top spot this time. Starting from pole, Norris and the McLaren team have shown great pace, especially in managing tyre degradation. If they can keep Max Verstappen out of DRS range in the early laps, Norris has a strong chance to finish first.
Carlos Sainz is looking to make his last race with Ferrari in Spain a memorable one. The team’s race pace on Friday was promising, and their car seems well-suited for tyre management. As Sainz bids farewell to his home crowd in the red kit, Ferrari is focused on delivering a great result for him.
Alpine is another team to watch. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly have had a positive weekend so far. Ocon’s performance might just edge Alpine closer to P7 in the Constructors Championship, surpassing Haas. Gasly, starting ahead of his teammate, has the chance to maximize the team’s strategy despite the stiff competition from other midfield teams.
Sergio Perez, meanwhile, is struggling to find his top form. Starting P11 after a penalty, Perez will need to push hard to get into the points, especially on a track where overtaking is tough. He has to overtake several strong drivers, including both Alpine cars and Fernando Alonso, to make any significant progress.
Oscar Piastri, facing a tough weekend, will start from P9 due to Perez’s penalty. With grip and speed issues troubling him, Piastri’s main task will be closing in on the competitive Alpines ahead. A good start might see him in contention with Ferrari’s drivers, but it’s a big ask.
Mercedes’ George Russell, outqualified by Lewis Hamilton, might find himself playing catch-up. Although their long-run pace hasn’t matched Ferrari’s or McLaren’s, the battle with the Italian team will be tight. Hamilton, starting ahead, holds a strategic advantage. If he can stay ahead in the first few laps, Mercedes might just outmaneuver Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc starts just behind his Ferrari teammate Sainz, and despite a slight edge in qualifying, his past performances at the Spanish GP haven’t been stellar. Consistency will be key for him as he fights Mercedes on the track.
All eyes will be on Carlos Sainz, stepping onto his home circuit for the final time in a Ferrari. With optimistic Friday practice sessions pointing to better tyre management for the team, Sainz is hopeful for a podium finish.
Max Verstappen, ever the contender, sits in P2 but finds himself outpaced by Norris in qualifying. His team’s strategy might involve a more aggressive compound choice to snag the lead through an overcut.
Lando Norris, leading from pole position, aims to fend off Verstappen and convert his top spot into a win. With stats showing a 72% win rate for pole sitters at Barcelona, Norris is in a favorable position.
The 2024 Spanish Grand Prix promises a high-stakes battle with weather and strategy playing pivotal roles in determining the winner.
