The 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship returns to action this weekend for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, the seventh round of the season, formerly known as the Spanish GP.
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will serve as host for the first European double-header of the F1 2026 season, the first under the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
Since its inception, under the name Spanish Grand Prix in 1991, the venue has become a classic, distinguishing itself as one of the most challenging races for driver and machine.
Boasting a range of high, medium, and low-speed corners, 14 overall (nine right-hand corners), as one of the longest runs from pole position to the braking zone to Turn 1, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya spans 4.657 kilometers (2.894 miles) over 66 laps.
Turns 3 and 9, both high-speed sections, pose a challenge to the car's aerodynamic grip, while the technical track layout, presenting a wide range of elevation changes and speeds, naturally takes a toll on the tires, which can wear out quickly.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli heads to Barcelona off the back of a brilliant performance last weekend, becoming the youngest winner of the Monaco GP and the first Italian driver to win five consecutive races since 1952.
As a result, the 19-year-old continues to cement his position as the drivers' world championship leader with 156 points, 66 clear of Scuderia Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton on a 90-point tally and teammate George Russell with 88 points.
"Kimi will naturally take confidence from Monaco, but the focus has to be on continuing to build and doing the job in Barcelona," said Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.
Mercedes leads the constructors' championship with 244 points, followed by Ferrari (165) and McLaren, standing third on 118 points.
Tire Allocation
Pirelli, Formula One's official tire manufacturer, has selected the compounds for the Grand Prix: C2 for the hard, C3 for the medium, and C4 for the soft.
By bringing a softer trio than the usual for Barcelona, the Italian manufacturer aims "to encourage a greater number of pit stops and also the inclusion of the hard tyre in race strategies."
Ambient temperatures are usually dry and warm in June; this year, track temperatures are expected to be high.
"The lateral forces exerted on the tyres are high, particularly on the left-hand side, which is more heavily stressed by the nine right-hand corners," Pirelli remarks.
"The most significant in this respect are Turn 3 and the final two corners, which were re-profiled in 2023 to make the entry onto the pit straight more flowing."
Earlier on Thursday, FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) announced it has exercised its option to extend the current contract with Pirelli until 2028.
H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, outlined: “Pirelli has been an important partner to the FIA Formula One World Championship for many years, providing a consistently high standard of performance, innovation, and safety at the highest level of our sport.
"This extension through to the end of 2028 provides stability for the championship and reflects the strong collaboration between the FIA, Formula One Group, and Pirelli. Together, we continue to drive innovation and support the delivery of exciting racing for competitors, teams, and fans around the world."
On a further note: with the Spanish GP moving to Madrid as the Madring circuit debuts on the Formula 1 calendar later this season, 2026 marks the last year the race in Barcelona is featured uninterrupted.
According to the FIA, a rotational system with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps will be introduced moving forward.