The most recent addition to the Method 1 calendar had already sparked loads of dialogue within the paddock earlier than the weekend. A lot of the conversations centred on security and whether or not the observe across the IFEMA advanced would really show to be a ‘automotive killer’, as a number of groups feared after the slightly chaotic F3 check.
One other facet that attracted loads of curiosity was La Monumental, Flip 12 of the brand new circuit. It’s the nook with 13.5 levels of banking, which equates to an incline of round 24%.
That is lower than the ultimate nook at Zandvoort – the Arie Luyendyk nook has 18 levels of banking – however regardless of that, Pirelli describes La Monumental because the hardest nook on all the F1 calendar for the tyres.
“Mainly the height of the vertical power is just not larger than in different corners that we’ve within the calendar, like in Qatar, the banking in Zandvoort, et cetera. It is extra concerning the time you might be beneath load and the continual load that you’ve got,” Pirelli’s chief engineer Simone Berra defined.
“So principally as a substitute of two or three seconds, you will have 5.5 seconds beneath these hundreds. So you will have double the obligation cycle in that space. That’s the important factor to bear in mind and what we’re contemplating in our calculations.”
For now, the real-world image seems to correspond with the calculations Pirelli carried out forward of the weekend, Berra confirmed when requested by Motorsport.com.
“For the time being it is according to our simulations. Clearly we’re nonetheless checking all the masses and all the info. We’ve simply checked three or 4 groups for now, however what we’ve seen to date is according to what we anticipated,” Berra mentioned on Friday evening.
The size of the banked nook signifies that the general load on the tyres is bigger than at Zandvoort
Picture by: Clive Mason / Getty Photographs
This implies there aren’t any security considerations in the meanwhile, as there have been in Qatar up to now, first due to the so-called pyramid kerbs and later due to the sheer load. In Madrid, measures comparable to a most stint size or different interventions aren’t on the desk for now.
“For the time being there’s nothing to be involved about,” Berra confirmed. “Clearly we’re nonetheless working and have to revise all the info. We’ll proceed even tomorrow as a result of we’re sectioning the tyres, so we’ve to test all of the constructions. This process is just not but completed. Saturday morning we’re going to lower different tyres from FP2 and we’re going to lower tyres from FP3 as properly, however for now there aren’t any considerations.”
Which groups had been proper? Pirelli reveals variations in simulations
Other than security, there was one other attention-grabbing query about La Monumental beforehand: can the banked nook be taken flat-out or not?
The ultimate nook at Zandvoort is well flat-out, though its Madrid counterpart is totally different. Not solely is that this nook longer, however it additionally options extra elevation change. The nook begins excessive, earlier than the drivers descend, then climbs once more in direction of the exit, earlier than dropping as soon as extra on the best way in direction of Flip 13.
Due to this complexity, the groups’ simulations differed significantly, Pirelli reveals.
“It was attention-grabbing to see if the simulations from the groups had been aligned in Flip 12, in La Monumental, as a result of some groups had been anticipating to be grip restricted,” added Berra. “They anticipated that they needed to elevate from the throttle on this part, whereas different groups anticipated to be full throttle there.
Verstappen had already predicted on Thursday that the nook wouldn’t be taken at full throttle and that ‘driver ability’ can be an element
Picture by: Andy Hone/ LAT Photographs through Getty Photographs
“The fact is that the groups that simulated lifting had been right. Particularly within the first a part of the flip, they needed to elevate a bit, like 30 or 40% from the throttle. After which after two seconds, they might push once more.
“This was fairly attention-grabbing as a result of this impacts the masses on the tyres and the tyre integrity evaluation that we’re doing each weekend.”
This can be seen within the knowledge from the second free observe session, together with that of the three quickest drivers. It should be mentioned, nevertheless, that there are variations between them.
Each Ferrari drivers began the nook at full throttle earlier than lifting considerably, whereas Kimi Antonelli was already extra cautious along with his throttle enter on nook entry. Within the second a part of the nook, everyone seems to be flat-out.
In accordance with the drivers, that is exactly what makes it a problem and a spot the place lap time may be gained, as Max Verstappen had already predicted on Thursday.
“I feel the banking is cool. It’s not going to be simple flat, I feel. There is a little bit of ability concerned, which I feel is all the time good,” mentioned the Purple Bull driver.
Images from F1 Spanish GP – Saturday
Learn Additionally:
We would like your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Crew
