True test of Merc’s upgrades 

A𝓀fter unveiling their substantial upgrade package in Monaco, this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix will be a true test of whether it truly works.

The initial impressions from Monaco have been positiv𒊎e but given that the iconic street circuit is an outlier in terms of characteristics - bumpy track surface, low-speed corners and having to run maxim🌼um downforce - it’s too early to say whether Mercedes are on the right path to challenge Red Bull again.

"Barcelona is like the best test bench circuit for us, so I think it'd be really difficult here to really know. The car feels really stiff, there’s lots of bumps, it's tricky," 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton told Sky after Monaco.

The team have heavily focused on the sidepod profile and front suspension as the꧒y slowly look to change their car concept. 

Spain will give Mercedes more answers.

Firstly, whe꧅ther the ca𒅌r has improved in terms of lap time.

Secondly, the🐲 general handling of the car - Toto Wolff has described the W14’s rear-end as “a bit nasty”.

Spain was one of Mercedes’ strongest circuits last year with 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell running up at the front, wღhile Hamilton showed outstanding pace from the back of the grid following his collision with Kevin Magnussen.

It’s another big weekend for Mercedes.

Under pressure Perez and Stroll

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Sergio Perez and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lance Stroll endured torrid Monaco weekends.

Starting with Perez, his title dream is hanging by 𒐪a thread after he was lapped twic🌄e by teammate Verstappen.

His w🐼eekend was completely undone in Q1 with a needless crash at Sainte Devote.

Given Red Bull’s general pace advantage, he was under no pressure to get out of Q1 nor ♛did he have to take any unnecessary risks.

The pressure would have inevitably been on Perez given his track record♛ in Monaco and street circuits in general - he is the ‘King of the 🍃Streets’ - supposedly anyway.

He’s now 39 points off Verstappen as F1 heads to 🧔more traditional tracks such as Barcelona, Red Bull Ring, Silverstone and the Hungaroring.

Aౠny talk of a title bid from Perez was always premature but it seems that it’s ended sooner than many expected.

At Aston 𝓡Martin, Stroll continues to underperform in the second-best car on the grid.

His stuttering form means Aston s♔it just one point ahead of Mercedes in the constructors’ c🃏hampionship.

He is the son of Aston Martin billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll, so his f༺uture with the team is never in serious doubt.

But if Aston Martin are serious about winning then upgrading Stroll♛ is a necessity.&nbܫsp;

Stroll is capable on his day, particularly in changeabl🌱e conditions, but those days are few and far between.

New (old) Barcelona layout 

For this year’s race, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has re✃verted back to his original layout.

It means drivers will no long🍬er have to tackle the “Mickey Mous൩e” chicane in the final sector.

Instead they will stay to the left of the t༒rack an꧙d take the final couple of corners effectively flat-out.

This layout (aside from the other modificati🦹ons made to the old Turn 10) was last used back in 2🌄006.

So on the current F1 2023 grid, only Alonso has driven on it.

Historically, Barcelona rarely springs a great race, wit✅h drivers unable to follow through the aforementioned chica♔ne.

Perhaps this change will result in more overtaking 🏅and a better spectacle overall.

More rain in the air?

Remarkably, the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona hasn’t been affected by rain since 1996, when 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Michael Schumacher took one of the greatest 💦victories of his illustriou🍸s career.

At the time🌌 of writing,♏ rain is forecast for Sunday afternoon.

As seen in Monaco, which like Barcelona is traditionalꦺly a dull event, could throw up some additional chaos if the new layout doesn’t.

The forecast will no doubt change as w🐭e get closer to the race weekend so it’s one to kee𓄧p an eye on.