Why is pole position at the Spanish GP synonymous with victory in Formula 1? The importance of the Sabbath

On April 27, 1975, his story Formula 1 in Spain. That day, at the Montjuic street circuit, a tragic accident claimed the lives of five people. It is one of the darkest days we can remember at Maxima.

In the 25th round the German rolf stommelen (he would die in another accident in 1983), who was leading the race, lost the wing at 240km/h and crashed into the guardrail to finish where the crowd was. Four people died on the spot: two bystanders, a firefighter and an Italian journalist. Another would end up lifeless later in the hospital.

When the extent of the tragedy became known, the race ended with the classification at the time and half the points. The sad podium was occupied by the German Jochen Mass, the Belgian Jacky Ickx and the Argentinian Carlos Reutemann. the Italian Leila Lombardi she was sixth, with half a point, being the first and only woman to score in F1.

La Máxima would never return to the track and for the next 10 years the Spanish GP would continue at Jarama and Jerez de la Frontera. On September 29, 1991 he would arrive in Barcelona for the first time and never leave.

The 2022 edition will see 32 consecutive GP times at the same circuit, a feat currently shared by Italy, Monaco, Canada, Great Britain, Hungary, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Why is pole position synonymous with winning the Spanish GP?

When you consider a track that is hard to pass and whoever comes out on top has a huge pick to win on Sunday, Monaco Grand Prix It’s the one that itches on the edge. But the data shows that this general idea is not true…

Of the last 31 matches in the Principality, only 17 of them were in his hands they were fighting, which is just over 50% of the time. Also, in 1996, the French Olivier Panis started 14th and finished as the best. Spain is by far the leader in this department.

Only eight of the 31 who started from the top drawer did not live up to the predictions and a driver who has started behind fifth place has never won. The record belongs Fernando Alonsowho left this position in 2013.

From 1997 to 2010 there was only one time when the incumbent did not win: in 2000 he failed Michael Schumacher. In the last two editions, Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time and finished on top of the podium.

The latest wins at the Spanish GP and the importance of pole position

The importance of pole position in other Grands Prix since 1991