The 2012 Spanish Grand Prix held in Catalunya, Spain between May 11-13 will be the fifth stop of the Formula One season. With the season yet to start, there is much buzz surrounding which team will get the early edge in the championship and for the Spanish race. The Circuit de Catalunya tends to be an equalizer with its combination of long straights and varied tight corners. At almost three miles long, the track is a test of both driver and machine and is notoriously hard on tire wear, making pit stop strategy vital.
Countdown for the Spanish Grand Prix
6 days, 2 hours, 7 minutes, 40 seconds ago
At the 2011 event Sebastian Vettel won for the Red Bull team, beating out McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton by a mere 0.6 secs. The podium was finished out with Hamilton’s teammate Jenson Button who came in a further 35 seconds behind. In this early part of the season the gap between McLaren and Red Bull was much closer as the Spanish race result indicates. Vettel, however, went on to win the championship.
The Circuit de Catalunya has been part of the Formula One calendar since 1991 and is extensively used as a test track. This means that the drivers get more practice around the circuit than most others on the calendar. In its 21-year history with Grand Prix racing, Michael Schumacher has won the most races with a total of six. It is also a race of champions, as almost every past winner having won the coveted driver’s championship. The only winners to have not done so are Ferrari’s Felipe Masa and Red Bull’s Mark Webber.
Contested over 66 laps and a race distance of 190.8 miles, the event lasts for three days. Friday sees two practice sessions, one in the morning and one mid afternoon. A further practice takes place on Saturday morning with the all important qualifying starting at 2pm local time. The race itself starts at 2pm local time on Sunday.
Race happens May 13th, 2012
Circuit Information
Circuit de Catalunya
Number of Laps: 66
Circuit Length: 4.655 km
Lap Record: 1:30.252 Michael Schumacher in 2004
2012 Grand Prix Schedule
Coming Soon!
Two recommended sportsbooks to bet on Spanish Grand Prix
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