Spanish GP Thread Sponsored by Fernando's Alonso's Facepaint Supplier - Contains spoilers of Practice/Qualifying and Race

[Fernando]

Round five of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship sees the teams journey to the Circuit de Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix. After beginning the year with four long haul races, the European season starts here – with a return to the circuit that hosted two-thirds of this year’s pre-season testing.

The track itself is famed for offering a broad examination of Formula One machinery with its mix of medium and high-speed corners, a low-speed complex and a long straight. As a venue it hasn’t, however, proved to be particularly conducive to overtaking: the corner combinations tending to make following and attacking very difficult – even with DRS.

Barcelona in May is a very different proposition to Barcelona in February. Temperatures are on average some 15°C higher, and this changes the challenge completely. What doesn’t change is the abrasive nature of the asphalt.

Given the evidence of the first four races in 2013, Pirelli have decided to move away from the Hard/Soft allocation favoured in Spain for the past two years, and instead will bring the Hard and Medium compounds. The Hard, however, is not the tyre that saw use in Malaysia and Bahrain. Pirelli have tweaked their offering, making it closer to that used in 2012.

Coming to Spain, Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing lead their respective championships – but this does little to disguise the fact that it has been another weird and wonderful beginning to the year, with more questions asked than answered in March and April. The Circuit de Catalunya is regarded as the first ‘normal’ track of the season, and has frequently provided a solid indication of overall car performance – on 16 occasions from 22 runnings the team winning in Barcelona has collected the Constructors’ Championship trophy at the end of the year.


Facts
The Circuit de Catalunya became the home of the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix in 1991, taking over from Jerez de la Frontera (1986-90). The race has also been held at the Jarama circuit in Madrid (1967-8, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976-80), Montjuïc (1969, 1971, 1973, 1975) and Pedralbes (1951, 1954). Only five circuits on the current F1 calendar have a longer continuous run (Interlagos, Silverstone, the Hungaroring, Monza and Monaco).
The Circuit de Catalunya is one of three Spanish Grand Prix venues located in the vicinity of Barcelona. The others – Pedralbes and Montjuïc – were within the boundaries of the modern city. This track, despite frequently being referred to simply as ‘Barcelona’, is not.
Pastor Maldonado’s Spanish Grand Prix victory last year saw a number of ‘firsts’ recorded. It was his first start from pole position, his first victory, and the first win for a Venezuelan in Formula One.
Maldonado is the only driver to win a grand prix at the Circuit de Catalunya and for that to be his solitary victory of the season.
Maldonado’s win, however, should not be regarded as surprising. Taking pole position (after Lewis Hamilton was excluded from the qualifying result) made him a favourite. Starting from pole at this circuit has historically been the key to victory: 18 times from the 22 races, the driver starting P1 has won the race. Of the four drivers to buck the trend, Mika Häkkinen, Nigel Mansell, and Sebastian Vettel were all front-row starters.
leaving Michael Schumacher the distinction of being the only driver to win the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya having started without a clear track in front of him. In 1996 he qualified third. With the race affected by torrential rain, he made light work of the terrible conditions to record his first victory for Ferrari. Another 71 would follow.
Ferrari is the constructor with the best record at the circuit. The Scuderia has won here seven times, Williams has six victories, McLaren four, Red Bull two, Benetton/Renault two and Brawn one.
Regarding drivers, Schumacher (1995, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) is out in front with six victories at this circuit. Häkkinen (1998, 1999, 2000) has three wins, Kimi Räikkönen (2005, 2008) and Nigel Mansell (1991, 1992) two each. The race has also been won by Alain Prost (1993), Damon Hill (1994), Jacques Villeneuve (1997), Fernando Alonso (2006), Felipe Massa (2007), Jenson Button (2009), Mark Webber (2010) and Vettel (2011). Mansell and Prost also won at Jerez.
The Circuit de Catalunya is a preferred testing venue for F1 teams. The driver with the most testing mileage at this circuit is McLaren’s Jenson Button. The 2009 World Champion has completed a staggering 34,706 testing kilometres at this circuit.

Source: Racedepartment.com

[Critical_mass]

Looking forward to this weekend, should give us all a better pecking order regarding the cars performances.

[Fernando]

Indeed shall be interested to see what they've all been up to and weather anyone makes a step forward

[Guest]

Great to be back after a long break. Looking forward to an exciting weekend and seeing what updates the teams have brought to the cars.

Not sure if its been discussed but James Allison leaving Lotus caught my eye this week. It could have quite a significant impact within F1 and surely he will be heading to McLaren and replacing Paddy Lowe or possibly Ferrari. Kimi has played down its signifcance , however knowing Kimi, as we do, I can see him leaving for Red Bull now next season. Also the Red Bull owner has once again stated that Raikkonen is a target for 2014.

[dyrewolfe]

According to one of the BBC articles I was reading, the rules in their current form have been in place for 5 years now, so the thinking is that development will have gone about as far as it can go, so any improvements will only be incremental.

No one is likely to bring an upgrade package that will give them an extra second a lap or anything.

Still, after another extended break its just nice to be able to talk about another race.

[Guest]

Whatever the outcome of this race on sunday in dry conditions, as Ricciardo has stated, this will be the running order for the majority of the season up until beginning of the long haul fly-aways. The upgrades bought here will be relatively small in performance and after seeing today's practice sessions it's unlikely that McLaren will challenge this year. I can also see Mercedes slipping further away from the top two in Red Bull & Ferrari in the long run.

It looks pretty worrying that Vettel looked so good today.

[CaledonianCraig]

Great to be back after a long break. Looking forward to an exciting weekend and seeing what updates the teams have brought to the cars.

Not sure if its been discussed but James Allison leaving Lotus caught my eye this week. It could have quite a significant impact within F1 and surely he will be heading to McLaren and replacing Paddy Lowe or possibly Ferrari. Kimi has played down its signifcance , however knowing Kimi, as we do, I can see him leaving for Red Bull now next season. Also the Red Bull owner has once again stated that Raikkonen is a target for 2014.

I would be very surprised and disappointed if Kimi went to Team Vettel...errr sorry Red Bull. He will know he stands no chance of equal treatment there so why would or should he bother? At least at Lotus he can be as expressive as he likes at the team whereas at Red Bull it would be more.....suppressive.

[Fernando]

Your presuming that the finger wagging german will be staying at Red Bull. Mercedes is seemingly the place to be in 2014 and id expect he'll want apart of it.

[Guest]

I'm not buying into Vettel only wanting an inferior teammate. Previously, I would have believed it, however circumstances have changed and he himself has recognised that his status and reputation has taken a hit and that for a three-time, possibly four time world champion, he still isn't getting the praise he thinks he deserves.

Even if he picks up this years title there will still be a majority of people who resent him and his ruthless ways and treatment of Mark Webber. He will want a new challenge and therefore he will agree to the possible Raikkonen switch and will see it as a positive for the team and for the chance to finally prove his doubters wrong and beat a proven speedster of quality in Kimi. I don't honestly believe Kimi sees himself at Lotus long term. Kimi wants to win, simple as that, and being at a top team and the opportunity to go there would be too difficult to resist. I don't care if there is preferential treatment towards Vettel and I don't think someone of Kimi's character will do either. He will go there, get paid, and just drive the wheels off the car.

[CaledonianCraig]

Your presuming that the finger wagging german will be staying at Red Bull. Mercedes is seemingly the place to be in 2014 and id expect he'll want apart of it.

No Fernando that makes no sense. He will remain at Red Bull where he rules the roost and rules the team. He won't go to Ferrari as Alonso won't play second fiddle to anyone, likewise Hamilton at Mercedes would be similar and so there you have it.

[GSC]

Will be interesting to see which Perez we see. After a timid start he came out of his shell and drove very aggressively last time out and it paid off. Some comments after the race that he was a tad too aggressive however.

Whether he backs off or takes Button on again will be interesting.

[GSC]

Lotus look strong in practice again, we'll see if they drop off in qualis again.

[GSC]

Gonna go with an Alonso and Vettel front row, with Hamilton and Kimi on the 2nd row I think.

[Trebs]

I reckon Vettel-Hamiton-Massa-Rosberg-Alonso-Di Resta as the top three rows.

[GSC]

Ferrari look very quick. Lotus not that close.

Everyone else restorting to the soft

[GSC]

Raikonnen goes 4th on the harder compound after being held up pretty badly by Guiterriez

[GSC]

A year since Maldonado won in Barca, both Williams go out in Q1

[GSC]

Perez beats Button in qualis. Heating up.

Looks like a close race for pole. Lotus and Ferrari have both cruised through Q1 and Q2 while Hamilton and Vettel hit back at the end of Q2

[GSC]

Mercedes close out the front row, Rosberg on pole.

Vettel 3rd, Kimi 4th, Alonso 5th. Have to say, if Mercedes stick to form, that trio might be the race for the win.

[AlciG]

Guess Button will ask his team to have Perez drop back :-P

[dyrewolfe]

Wow - blistering performance from Mercedes.

Congrats to Nico on his second successive pole...he looked unbeatable today. Very close between him and Lewis.

Sadly I think they will both get mugged at the start...or at least within the first 5 laps.

Vettel usually starts well and Ferrari are lurking back in 5th and 6th...they've been making flying starts of late and will no doubt make up places off the grid. Raikkonen is also well placed in 4th.

Hopefully if Mercedes have a good race strategy, either Nico or Lewis can still pick up a podium. If not they should still be on for good points finishes.

Also well done to Sergio Perez...made Button look a bit of a mug today, around half a second quicker in Q2 to get into Q3.

Think the win will be contested by Vettel, Alonso and maybe Kimi, provided Lotus get their tyre strategy right.

[GSC]

Has been a big boy response from Rosberg the last 2 races.

Can't see them sticking with 3 very good race cars behind them, and Massa/Webber further back though.

[CaledonianCraig]

Wow - blistering performance from Mercedes.

Congrats to Nico on his second successive pole...he looked unbeatable today. Very close between him and Lewis.

Sadly I think they will both get mugged at the start...or at least within the first 5 laps.

Vettel usually starts well and Ferrari are lurking back in 5th and 6th...they've been making flying starts of late and will no doubt make up places off the grid. Raikkonen is also well placed in 4th.

Hopefully if Mercedes have a good race strategy, either Nico or Lewis can still pick up a podium. If not they should still be on for good points finishes.

Also well done to Sergio Perez...made Button look a bit of a mug today, around half a second quicker in Q2 to get into Q3.

Think the win will be contested by Vettel, Alonso and maybe Kimi, provided Lotus get their tyre strategy right.

I can't disagree with any of that.

[AlciG]

Button proves again he is a nice driver when things are perfect but he just can't fight to get good pace out of a bad car

[SteveG]

Wow never saw that one coming - and neither it seems did Lewis who looked shell shocked as he got out of his car and inspected his teamates tyres.

Going to swim against the tide here and predict that the Mercs will not be such easy pickings tomorrow as many are suggesting based on the fact that their problem of overheating the tyres will be mitigated by temperatures that are alot cooler than last time out. On top of that they've spent most of the FP sessions running high fuel and it seems they've traded some one lap pace for better race pace - which if correct makes the all silver front row even more impressive.

Elsewhere looks like Caterham have made sone inroads on Marussia, whilst Sauber, Toro Rosso and Force India pretty much hold station.

Bad for Williams and even worse for Mclaren where Button shows once again that he can't drive around the limits of the car. It was the same with Massa in last years Ferrari. That's why Alonso and Hamilton get paid what they do.

Top four prediction for tomorrow is Vettel, Hami, Alonso and Kimi - but no idea in which order.

[CaledonianCraig]

I'll say it again (still can't believe I am saying it) but what an inspired move by Lewis Hamilton. At the time the move was announced I was sure Lewis had made a huge mistake as Mercedes was a shambles of a team lacking pace or seemingly direction whilst McLaren were at least competitive and perennial challengers. Now though it is clear Lewis made the right move. Mercedes are the team moving forward whilst McLaren are sadly struggling badly and slipped back pace-wise into the midfield runners.

[SteveG]

TBH can't quite read Hamilton this season - one minute the glass is half full the next half empty. After talking about making positive steps between FP2 and FP3 now thinks he's going to struggle tomorrow big time as there are problems with graining (rather than overheating) and balance.

Hope it's just a case of being over-cautious.

[Fernando]

Massa/Gutierrez both have 3 place grid pens for blocking

[Critical_mass]

Merc didnt look bad on the tyres in practice so SteveG dont be too sure about tyre issues.

Good to see Merc 1-2, i just pray they can keep up more of a fight in the race, but i agree above, i reckon by lap 5 Vettel at the very least will be passed them. Thoguh i think a top 5 finish for both is possible.

As for Mclaren, i think Perez has finally settled in and has shown what the Mclaren is capable of. Button on the other hand well, he's being exposed.

[SteveG]

Re the practice times - that's what i thought Critical and with positive comments from the team the reason why expect the Mercs will put up a harder fight than in Bahrain. Then i read some of Hamis comments after quali and think 'oh'.

Maybe a bit kidology, maybe not - guess we'll soon know.

[Critical_mass]

Yeah see what you mean. But it could be mind games, who knows.... we'll find out shortly. Still a top 5 finish for both is possible imo... also for me Merc are showing what they can do, they're slowly putting things together building up to a win

[Guest]

Should be an interesting race, hoping Mercedes can stay in front but fear the worst. It`s not a case of Mercedes hoping for podiums, they`ve got to be targetting wins because the odd podium from pole is just not good enough if you are serious about a title challenge. We desperately need a Vettel DNF. So glad Perez is now settling into McLaren and showing up Button. He's even back to blaming car pressures being wrong for his poor qualifying

Prediction : Alonso win

[Critical_mass]

Thats it though, Merc arent hoping for wins. They've always said that so anything in the top 4-5 im pleased with.

I agree John, im thinking Alonso will take the win.

[monty junior]

Is it just me or does anyone else hate this track? It's just so dam boring , although it does reveal how fast a car really is.

Should be a good race today, have to think it's between Vettel,Kimi and Alonso.

[GSC]

Good start from Rosberg. Hamilton held off Kimi for a whole but falling back now

[GSC]

Shame for Grosjean and Sutil

[GSC]

Mercedes fodder for the top 3 now

[GSC]

Perez making inroads on the RB.

[Critical_mass]

This is ridiculous. Tyre Tyres Tyres [sigh]

Ricciardo is doing a stella job!

Awful race for Merc

[Guest]

Boring track. Mercedes season is just going to dwindle into nothing, tyres are woeful.

Hamilton just overaten by a Williams....sums his day up. Alonso win as predicted

[GSC]

These tyres still more entertaining than bridgestones 1 stop tyres

[Critical_mass]

This is the complete opposite to the Bridgestone days.

COME ON PIRELLI SORT IT OUT!

[GSC]

Lotus working better than the RB.

Kimi might be the only threat to the ferraris

[GSC]

Bridgestone was far worse than this. Everyone starts on softs, everyone switches to hard in a 2 lap period then race over

[Guest]

Do these cars ever fail anymore? I`d love to see a blow up, just to add some excitement. Dire from Mercedes. Championship clear three way fight now, although Alonso is my favourite. These pit lane unsafe release crashes are just embarrassing.

[GSC]

Button takes Hamilton. That one has to hurt

[Critical_mass]

Yeah true, but Lewis took Button in previous races so... meh. Swings and roundabouts.

[GSC]

Button isn't sitting in a car that has 3 poles in a row though

[GSC]

Great win for Alonso. Well done to Kimi for splitting the very strong Ferrari too.

[Critical_mass]

Button isn't sitting in a car that has 3 poles in a row though

And!???? are you sayin Merc or any other car for that matter should perform at its best every single race?

Cars have off races... and thats what it will be for Merc, so i bet we see Lewis passing Button again before we see Button passing Lewis again

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