2024 F1 Spanish GP: Race predictions

The 2024 F1 Spanish GP grid is now in place as the front row would have Lando Norris alongside Max Verstappen. The duo would be followed by an all-Mercedes second row of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell while the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will occupy the third row.

The race, however, has the potential to throw a complete curveball. There could be teams who have focused more on race pace, while others have focused on getting the grid slot. Tire wear is a concern, and we are looking at 2 to 3-stop strategies depending on what turns out to be the faster one on the day.

There's also the question mark of the impact of the shortened DRS zone on racing because it certainly played a role in the Formula 2 race. With that being said and the F1 Spanish GP set to be exciting, what can we expect from the race? Let's find out in our predictions for Sunday.

#5 Major question marks around Alpine

The qualifying session from Alpine was sensational. The fact that both Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon had the pace to be in the top 10 after the kind of season the team has had will tell you that improvements have been made.

Will the team translate this into a result? The top 8 are more or less fixed with the top 4 teams. Then it becomes the fight for P9 and P10. With Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg right behind, it could get interesting, and most importantly, it will show if the pace is genuine or the result of a setup that leans more towards a single-lap pace.

#4 Expect a Ferrari to be on the podium

This might come as a surprise to many, as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are in P5 and P6, but Ferrari tends to have strong tire management. While Mercedes has shown that it can be competitive, it might be a bit too early to count them out.

We're backing either of the Ferrari drivers to score a podium at the F1 Spanish GP, as the top 2 might be a bit out of reach.

#3 Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri don't make the top 5

Sergio Perez starts the 2024 F1 Spanish GP in P11, while Oscar Piastri starts the race in P9. Both drivers were disappointed with how things panned out, but it is quite clear that it's going to take a miracle for either of them to break into the top 5.

The two drivers could make it into the top 8 owing to the pace, but beyond that, it is going to be very tough.

#2 The race is going to be a battle of tire management and strategy

Unlike many other races on the calendar where strategy is sometimes not paramount and we have the monolithic one-stop races, the F1 Spanish GP is going to be completely different. Tire degradation is a major factor in the race and hence race management is going to be crucial.

It's already a marginal 2 to 3-stop race, and hence every stop would have to be made keeping in mind that you cannot over-exert the tires. This race is going to be a game of chess, and the strategic decisions are going to make a lot of difference.

#1 Max Verstappen wins the F1 Spanish GP

You can just refer to the previous point on why we are going with Max Verstappen as the winner of the F1 Spanish GP. The race demands precision; it demands perfect execution, and it demands management, where the strategy unit plays an impeccable role.

The Max Verstappen-Red Bull combination has seen this challenge and conquered it far too often. The pace difference between the two might not be enough, but you can be assured that Max is going to use the experience to win this one.