Minor track changes at Barcelona 06 May 2004
The Circuit de Catalunya has been modified slightly at Turn 8 for this year’s race, with a longer run-off in the La Caixa and Banc Sabadell corners.
This will slow cars before the three quick sweepers at the end of the lap which help to determine terminal velocity down the main straight, but might also improve overtaking opportunities.
The changes would normally add time to the lap, but the distance has actually been reduced from 4.730 to 4.627 kilometres and in any case tyre development has decimated lap times this season. At the 2003 race Michael Schumacher set pole position with a lap of 1m 17.762s, and fellow Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello set fastest lap with 1m 20.143s. Both times are likely to be beaten by a margin this weekend.
