NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix

Formula 1 heads to Barcelona for Round 9, the Spanish Grand Prix, with practice sessions beginning Friday, May 30, and the race on Sunday, June 01. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a 4.657km track, is known for its abrasive tarmac and high demands on front-left tyres due to numerous right-handers, especially Turn 3 and the final two corners. Max Verstappen holds the lap record from 2023 at 1m 16.330s. Pirelli has opted for the hardest compounds (C1, C2, C3) for this weekend, with revised C2 tyres aiming for more equidistant performance gaps, potentially favouring medium and soft compounds for the race. A two-stop strategy is traditionally prevalent here, with last year's race seeing most drivers starting on softs. A new FIA technical directive on wing flexibility could influence car performance, and Barcelona is a traditional venue for significant team upgrades. The championship battle is intensifying, with Oscar Piastri leading Lando Norris by just three points, and Max Verstappen only 25 points behind. Verstappen has a strong record in Barcelona, including his maiden F1 win in 2016. In the Constructors' Championship, McLaren has a comfortable lead, but Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari are in a tight fight for P2, separated by just five points. The midfield battle is also heating up, with Williams currently P5 and Racing Bulls moving to P7, only four points behind Haas. The Spanish Grand Prix often delivers exciting strategic battles and unexpected results due to its challenging nature and propensity for upgrades.