Spanish Grand Prix: An engine’s perspective

The FIA Formula One World Championship continues next weekend as the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona once again plays host to the Spanish Grand Prix, the first European race of the 2010 season.

“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. It was one of the three Spanish tracks used for pre-season preparations during February and all Cosworth-powered teams, apart from Hispania Racing, were able to gather a useful array of data from the four-day test.

The circuit puts every aspect of the car package to the test, making it something of a benchmark for performance. It is not too demanding on engines, but it still gives the unit a thorough workout. 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.

On the chassis side, the circuit offers one of the biggest technical challenges of the season with the faster corners rewarding good aerodynamic efficiency. After the first four ‘flyaway’ races of the year, all teams are expected to field significantly upgraded packages for the Spanish Grand Prix – in spite of the many volcano-related delays in returning from China!”

Fast Facts

Catalunya is one of just two current F1 race tracks to have seen its lap record broken since 2.4 litre V8 engines replaced the more powerful 3 litre V10s after the 2004 season. Suzuka in Japan is the other.

Cosworth’s race support truck will make its 2010 debut in Spain. Purpose built by J.S. Fraser of Witney, the vehicle provides offices for Cosworth’s management and engineering staff as well as a workshop, engine storage space and a spares department – affectionately known as the “The Dungeon”.