General overview
With the Spanish GP, we have reached the end of the triptych of European races, and it is time to draw conclusions, also in view of the new technical directive that seemed likely to change the values on the field. Given the McLaren one-two, it is clear that the new directive has not subverted the hierarchies and therefore, barring any shake-up during the course of the season, it is fair to continue to expect Papaya dominance in the remaining part of the Championship. The violin plot shows a performance by the papaya duo that was unmatched by the others, with Leclerc managing to recover from seventh to third and accompanying them to the podium. Good performance of Hulkenberg with the Sauber, in fifth position, while both Hamilton and Verstappen were penalized by the SC, not having sets of tires that allowed them a clean restart. From the ranking chart, it is easy to see a fairly similar level between McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari, although McLarens have a lower dispersion of lap times. Mercedes is more detached and very close to all the other teams.
Race strategy
On the strategy front, everyone or almost everyone was oriented on the two stops, except for changing tires after the SC entry, among the disadvantaged Hamilton, who had to change to a used set, and Verstappen, who had to use an even hard set, only to suffer a penalty for dueling with Russel.
Focus on drivers’ lap times
Fuel corrected lap time graph quite merciless with Piastri and Norris unapproachable for Leclerc who was slower in all stints. Very telling was the last stint in which the Monegasque lapped even a second slower than his McLaren rivals.
Conclusions
If the technical directive was able to influence in some way the hierarchies, after this appointment on Iberian soil, it is clear that this has been disregarded. Now, barring any jolts, it seems that the World Championships are in the hands of the Woking-based team. Now watch out for the upcoming races, the first of which will be in Canada, on the circuit named after Gilles Villeneuve, in Montreal.