Ralf Schumacher fears Ferrari face further ‘trouble’ at the Spanish Grand Prix but has backed a Formula 1 driver to be a threat to Red Bull star Max Verstappen for the win.
The travelling circus of Formula 1 heads for the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend for round 10 of the season. Verstappen will also head to the Spanish GP aiming to secure his seventh win of the year after topping the podium yet again at the Canadian GP last time out.
Montreal was not a happy hunting ground for the Scuderia, though, as Ferrari endured their first double DNF since the 2022 Azerbaijan GP. The Maranello natives lost Charles Leclerc on Lap 40 with a power unit issue before Ferrari saw Carlos Sainz crash out during his 52nd lap.
Ralf Schumacher fears Ferrari face ‘trouble’ with tyre wear at the Spanish GP
Ferrari will aim to bounce back from their Canadian GP woes at the Spanish GP after Leclerc won the Monaco GP. But Schumacher expects the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will yield fresh frustrations for those in Maranello. He also expects Mercedes will face a tougher time.
Mercedes emerged as a genuine threat to Red Bull at the Canadian GP after their new front wing unlocked their pace. George Russell took pole position as Verstappen could only set an identical lap time. The 26-year-old also achieved the Silver Arrows’ first podium this season.
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But Schumacher doubts Mercedes will replicate their form from the Canadian GP that also saw Lewis Hamilton finish in fourth place. Instead, the former Williams star backs McLaren and Lando Norris to push Red Bull and Verstappen for the win at the Spanish GP this week.
“Barcelona has always been the most complicated track and will always be,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “The best concept will win here, all the cars’ weaknesses will be exposed. Ferrari will have a bit of trouble with tyre wear again.
“Max Verstappen will have a real advantage with the Red Bull. This is a track that is no problem for Red Bull. McLaren, the all-rounder, will be there again with Lando Norris – who has developed into one of the most sought-after drivers.
“The question mark will be, ‘Can Mercedes build on Canada?’ I suspect not quite because the strengths of the engine cannot be exploited here as much as in Canada. But I hope that the trend continues.”
Ferrari will take an upgraded floor to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Mercedes emerged as a genuine threat to Red Bull and McLaren at the Canadian GP as their new front wing rounded off the upgrades the team had introduced at the Miami GP and the Emilia Romagna GP. The Silver Arrows will now look to prove Schumacher’s concerns wrong.
Ferrari will also hope to prove Schumacher’s fears are misplaced by challenging Red Bull and McLaren for the win at the Spanish GP. The Scuderia are due to unveil upgrades in Barcelona with the Maranello natives expected to unveil a new floor estimated to be worth two-tenths.
The upgrades will arrive for Sainz and Leclerc ahead of schedule as Ferrari look to improve in slow-speed corners. Formula1a.uno reports the Scuderia will also unveil new rear bodywork and ramps towards the diffuser in Barcelona to improve the SF-24’s aerodynamic efficiency.
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