Difficult set-up choice for the Spanish GP

The 'Circuit de Catalunya' is recognised as one of the aerodynamically most challenging tracks on the Formula One calendar. In addition, conditions can change dramatically over the course of a race weekend. As Technical Director Chassis, Willy Rampf must be prepared for all eventualities.

Since conditions on the Spanish GP track simply vary too much and too often, it is very difficult to decide on the final set-up for the Barcelona race. Rampf explains: "The track strongly reacts to changes in temperature, which has an effect on grip, and therefore on lap times. As a consequence, you are constantly forced to make adjustments. An additional difficulty is traction, which must not be neglected, particularly since the left corner at the end of the back straight has been made even narrower."

More than anything else, good aerodynamic performance and the right choice of tyres are crucial for the race in Spain. "The long, fast corners are characteristic of Barcelona, such as the T3 or the two right corners before the finish line, which put particular strain on the front left tyre. That's why aerodynamic efficiency and tyre performance play such an important role," Rampf explains prior to the start of the sixt Grand Prix of the season.

Unlike last year, the BMW Sauber F1 Team will be able to use softer and therefore faster tyre compounds. "The course used to be known as a real tyre eater but they put a new asphalt coating on in 2004, and since then you can use softer tyre mixtures," Rampf confirms.