FIA Confirms Eight Driver Changes and Track Mod… read more

FIA Confirms Eight Driver Changes and Track Mod… read more

Ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, the FIA has confirmed a total of eight driver changes along with several key track updates. These developments come amid growing speculation that this could be one of the final races held at the iconic Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with Madrid poised to become the new host of the Spanish Grand Prix starting next season.

While the most notable regulatory change this weekend is the FIA’s renewed focus on front and rear wing flexibility — an area that has been under scrutiny for some time — attention has also been drawn to several subtle but potentially impactful adjustments to the circuit itself.

The FIA has issued an official statement outlining specific modifications made to the track layout. These include the realignment of white lines at multiple corner exits. White lines serve as the official track limits, and the repositioning could provide drivers with slightly more room to maneuver, potentially allowing for more aggressive cornering. In several instances, the white line has been moved and an additional blue line painted behind it, possibly to help with enforcement and visual clarity.

Specifically, the changes are as follows:

A concrete wall with debris fencing has replaced the previous guardrail on the right-hand side (RHS) approaching Turn 1. The exit of Turn 2 has seen a realignment of the white line Exits of Turns 5, 9, 10, 12, and 14 have all had their white lines adjusted, with blue lines added behind each for extra demarcation.

Additional fences have also been installed to better protect Marshals’ Posts around the circuit.

These track changes come as part of the FIA’s ongoing efforts to improve safety and ensure consistent regulation enforcement during races. The modifications, though minor, may influence how aggressively drivers tackle certain corners, particularly under braking and during overtaking maneuvers.

This weekend’s Grand Prix also marks the final leg of a demanding European triple-header. The sequence began in Imola, continued through the streets of Monaco, and now concludes in Barcelona. All three tracks are steeped in motorsport history, but their layouts have been criticized in recent years for failing to produce exciting on-track action, especially with the current generation of larger, heavier Formula 1 cars.

With both regulatory updates and circuit tweaks in place, the Spanish Grand Prix promises to be a telling chapter in the 2025 F1 season — and potentially the last of its kind at this venue. Fans and teams alike will be closely watching how these changes affect both strategy and race day performance.