At many stops on the Formula 1 calendar, the threat of rain is the first thing fans look to the forecast for. In sunny Spain however, rain in June is so infrequent that the level of heat is the most anticipated factor.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya tests car and driver in all different ways, and with this year’s Grand Prix falling firmly in mid-June, high ambient and track temperatures will push everything to the limit.
The combination of high heat and the punishing nature of the circuit will make this weekend a real stress test for tyres. Track temperatures (likely to be in excess of 50C) will make degradation quicker and far more significant, and the front-left tyre will see particularly high wear. Complicating this further is Pirelli’s decision to run a softer set of compounds than in 2025.