F1 Spanish GP: Follow the race in Madrid with live timing

Pirelli's pre-race prognostication is for the fastest strategy to be a one-stopper, starting on mediums and progressing to hards, with a pitstop window between laps 18 and 24.

Alternatives include a two-stopper (medium-hard-hard) with a first stop between laps 10 and 16, and a second between laps 31 and 37.

There are other possibles including a one-stop soft-hard and a two-stop soft-hard-hard, but these rely on early safety car deployments. Degradation seems to be a bit unpredictable since it was high earlier in the weekend, but less of a factor in the support events this morning.

Expect this to be a Monaco-style exercise in tyre management and waiting to see who blunders into the barrier first. Red or yellow flags could change the complexion of the race, especially if they come around the pitstop window – expect to hear some drivers complaining about having their race ruined in these circumstances.

Oliver Bearman will be starting from the pitlane after smiting the barrier yesterday.

Lots of unknowns here this weekend. Known unknowns and unknown unknowns. The long pitlane adds a bit of strategic pep to a race where the rigours of the track will put a lot of stress through the tyres, but the absence of overtaking opportunities mean teams will want to guard track position.

Hola from Madrid!

It's race day at the Madring and all to play for at this first outing on the new track. Lando Norris starts on pole for McLaren but the Mercedes pace has been ominous...