2020 F1 Spanish Grand Prix session timings and preview

It might feel like a different era pre-coronavirus shutdown, but 2020 F1 action started at the Spanish track back in late February with pre-season testing, and the paddock returns to the track six months later for a rescheduled race.

With conditions forecast to be hot and sunny at the height of the Spanish summer, it could prelude to a repeat of last weekend's race when Max Verstappen and Red Bull ended Mercedes' perfect start to the season by winning the 70th Anniversary GP.

Pirelli has opted for its hardest tyre compounds - C1, C2, C3 - which were used for the British GP compared to the step softer options which opened up the race-winning strategy opportunity for Verstappen at Silverstone last weekend.

PLUS: How ruthless Verstappen exploited Mercedes' Silverstone strength-turned-weakness

While action on track spiced up, tensions off it also intensified with two major talking points dominating the headlines.

The FIA's decision to dock Racing Point 15 constructors' championship points and hand the team a €400,000 fine did anything but settle the matter with four rival teams appealing the outcome, while the Silverstone-based squad also appealed in a bid to clear its name.

The situation, coupled with the looming Concorde Agreement deadline, saw team bosses take aim at each other as the balance of power is fought for ahead of the F1's next era.

PLUS: How F1's COVID goodwill broke apart on its birthday weekend

The Spanish GP is the final act of a second run of triple-headers on the reshuffled 2020 F1 calendar, with a week break after the race before the next trio starts with the Belgian GP on 30 August.

2020 Formula 1 Spanish GP session timings

F1 is sticking to its traditional format of two free practice sessions lasting 90 minutes each on Friday, followed by an additional practice session running for one hour on Saturday morning.

The Q1, Q2 and Q3 knockout-style qualifying format is also being retained on Saturday afternoon to decide the grid for the 66-lap Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Formula 2, Formula 3 and Porsche Supercup series are all acting as support classes to the F1 Spanish GP.

Friday 14th August 2020
Free Practice 1: 10:00am-11:30pm BST (11:00am-12:30pm local)
Free Practice 2: 2:00pm-3:30pm BST (3:00pm-4:30pm local)

Saturday 15th August 2020
Free Practice 3: 11:00am-12:00pm BST (12:00pm-1:00pm local)
Qualifying: 2:00pm-3:00pm BST (3:00pm-4:00pm local)

Sunday 16th August 2020
Race: 2:10pm BST (3:10pm local)

How can I watch the Spanish Grand Prix?

Channel: Sky Sports F1 HD
Channel numbers - Sky: 406 Channel numbers
Channel numbers - Virgin Media: 506 (Sky Sports F1 HD)

Sky Sports has live and exclusive broadcasting rights in the United Kingdom with the build-up to the F1 race starting from 12:30pm ahead of lights out at 2:10pm.

When can I watch the highlights?

Channel: Channel 4
Start time: 6:30pm

Channel 4 has the rights to show Spanish GP highlights of qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.

Weather forecast for the Spanish GP

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is set to be bathed in sunshine and hot conditions all weekend for the Spanish GP, with highs of 31 degrees Celsius on race day.

Pirelli tyre allocation for the Spanish GP

Pirelli has opted for its hardest compounds for the Spanish GP, with the hard tyre C1, medium tyre C2 and soft tyre C3.

For at least the opening eight races of the reshuffled 2020 F1 season each driver will be given the same allocation of tyres per race: eight sets of soft tyres, three sets of medium tyres and two sets of hard tyres. Pirelli will also supply a range of wet and intermediate tyres for each driver.

Most Spanish GP wins

Michael Schumacher: 6 wins (1995, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Lewis Hamilton: 4 wins (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Jackie Stewart: 3 wins (1969, 1970, 1971)
Nigel Mansell: 3 wins (1987, 1991, 1992)
Alain Prost: 3 wins (1988, 1990, 1993)
Mika Hakkinen: 3 wins (1998, 1999, 2000)