What to watch for in Barcelona

The FIA Formula 2 campaign returns for Round 6 at Barcelona in Spain, but what should you be watching out for this weekend?

A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE?

Every Feature Race winner in Barcelona since 2017 has gone on to graduate to Formula 1 the following season. Charles Leclerc was the first, followed by George Russell in 2018 and Nicholas Latifi last year.

Granted, it’s no guarantee, but given that the Barcelona event comes at the halfway point of the season, it could become an even more pivotal result than normal.

SHWARTZMAN NEEDS A REACTION

Robert Shwartzman lost the Championship lead in Round 5, as the Russian didn’t enjoy a particularly successful time in either weekend at Silverstone, and has now fallen to third in the standings as a result.

The PREMA man is now 21 points short of fellow Ferrari junior Callum Ilott in first place. He will have to work even harder this weekend in Barcelona to try and return to the top.

One of the biggest focuses will be qualifying. Shwartzman has failed to make the top ten in any of the previous three rounds, which puts him on the backfoot and makes it harder to fight for big points in the Feature Race.

WE COULD SEE ANOTHER NEW WINNER

F2 has been wholly unpredictable this year. We’ve already had as many different winners in 2020, as we did throughout the entirety of 2019. Eight different drivers have stood on the top step – two shy of an F2 record.

Yuki Tsunoda added his name to the list last time out, and there are plenty of other drivers who will want to argue their cases in Barcelona. The likes of Schumacher, Guanyu Zhou and Louis Delétraz have already all come close. Could we finally see one of them stand on the top step this weekend?

OVERTAKING OPPORTUNITIES

The Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya isn’t the easiest for overtaking on, however there are multiple hotspots to pass. They just require ultimate precision, skill, and bravery.

Turns 1-3 present one of the best opportunities. Coming at the end of the longest DRS zone on the circuit, it favours those who are late on the brakes – making it somewhat a case of ‘who dares, wins.’

Turn 10 is also a favourable spot for a move. Coming at the end of the shorter, second DRS zone, there will be plenty who attempt a pass here, so keep your eyes open.