Grand Prix 2011 Spanish Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

And so on to Spain, after the anti climax that was Turkey, it seems that no-one can stop Vettel as he marched to his 3rd win in 4 races and is in dominant form as we head to the Iberian peninsula. Despite the highest amount of overtakes since records began (126), a lot of people were questioning how authentic these overtakes were due to their artificial nature because of the DRS. The Spanish Grand Prix hasn't been known for its overtakes, indeed this is a track where more often than not, the driver who gets pole goes on to win so thats the race in the bag for Vettel. In 2010 the race was won by Mark Webber in the first of back to back wins from Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. lewis Hamilton was on course for second until a wheel rim failure with two laps to go.

After a dominant performance in Turkey, Red Bull will be aiming at another one two in Spain, and on current form and given the nature of the track it is hard to see past the Red Bulls from extending their championship lead. However Ferrari and particularly Alonso have showed that Red Bull won't have it their own way and no doubt Alonso will be boosted by a capacity crowd all cheering him on. Mclaren planned to bring updates to Turkey but abandoned them and instead will introduce them this weekend to plug the ever increasing gap with Hamilton currently second in the drivers championship, over 30 points behind Vettel.

Mercedes were Jekyll and Hyde in Turkey and its not exactly hard to figure out who was who. Mercedes Rosberg has shown improved form recently and has been mixing with the Mclarens and Ferraris and with continued development, Mercedes will be confident of a top 5 finish this weekend.

Renault have seemed to have fallen back recently with Heidfeld and Petrov in the lower reaches of the points, their podium form of Australia and Malaysia now seems a distant memory and have now been overtaken by Mercedes in the development battle. In the midfield it is really tightening up as Toro Rosso have found a speed boost with Buemi claiming points in Turkey and Kobyashi coming from last on the grip to claim a top 10 position with Force India not holding the same level of competitiveness as the first few races with Di Resta's first DNF of his career.

While Team lotus didn't gain the jump that they hoped, they have high hopes that this weekend is the one where they establish themselves as a solid midfield runner while Virgin and HRT continue to fight it out over who gets the wooden spoon.

With the arguments over DRS raging on, no doubt we will see a circuit record of overtakes as cars breeze past each other down the main straight but if only one thing is certain it is that Red Bull will be right at the front barring major developments (or crashes)

For Galahads excellent circuit write up, see here http://cliptheapex.com/pages/circuit-de-catalunya/
 
I have no doubt Hamilton's flat spotted tyre will have an effect on his weekend.

Expect him to pit first and that will then have a knock on effect on the rest of his race as he will have to eke out more laps from each set of tyres.
I suppose you're right (unfortunately), but if they can re-balance the wheel overnight as Lewis and Martin Brundle suggested and by the time two or three laps of running has worn about half an inch of tread off the whole tyre anyway, I am hoping that it won't make much difference.
 
As much as it pains me to say this been a Mclaren fan, I thought Alonso did a fantastic lap in Q3 to split Hammy and Jens.

Maybe Mansell is right in saying that a home crowd gives you an extra half a second or so.
Oh yeah Alonso was brilliant on that lap especially seeing where massa is - in his shadow...again lol I thought Massa was recovering but...

Maybe Alonso and Webber will be pressuring Vettel tomorrow
 
A few posts have popped in whilst I was writing this so sorry if it seems out of place. I was responding to concerns about Hamilton's flat spot.:)

The saving grace may be that we've seen Lewis drive round problems quite well in the past. It will be interesting to see what happens and at least it's something that will have us a wee bit tense in the early stages. I still predict - DRS - not withstanding a settled race once the first pitstops have shaped things up. I do hope to be wrong but I'm finding it so hard to get excited about this one.:sleeping:
 
Maybe he could do a Webber from the Chinese GP and get on the podium. That'd be some achievement if that happened.
haha Nick Heidfeld on the podium from the back would be awesome I wonder if he is starting on the super hard tyres, I would. Get that slow phase out of the way with the fuel saving phase while there is no one behind to pressure you then pit for brand new softs turn the engine up and enjoy the clean air in the 4th best car
 
Chasz, knowing Hamilton it may not. It'll mean he'll pit earlier of the front runners, which could play into his hands later on
 
It's a bit depressing how far the Red Bull's are ahead. I guess we will see a good fight between Alonso and the McLarens. I imagine their pace is quite similar. I also think they'll be much closer to RB on race pace. I think RB have gained a huge amount of time in qualifying from the DRS at Barcelona. The problem with DRS is it means the cars that are already quicker via more downforce can go even quicker by using it mid-corner. I reckon RB gain at least half a second more than the others from it. A few tenths from extreme engine modes too.
 
Red-Bull clearly are ahead but I think this track like hungary exaggerates their advantage. You need good consistent downforce for this track more than most.
 
It looks like the upgrades have worked on Mclarens car to the extent that they are the second fastest car again.
 
Just a few thoughts:
  • Michael Schumacher: he's only saved one set of tyres!
  • EJ saying Kovalainen should have saved the tyres for the race. Why, exactly?
  • Sometimes you have to give credit to awesome talent in qualifying - Fernando Alonso :goodday:- a second clear of his team mate on the most Noah's Ark circuit of the lot.
  • Pastor Maldonado and Williams, didn't think you had it in you!
  • HRT vs Virgin is a real battle and make no mistake!
  • Kovalainen in 15th (a little by default, but Virgin & HRT are behind Barrichello!), congratulations!
  • Martin Brundle complaining qualifying secondary to the race. And that bears defecate in woods.
  • Red Bull were always going to be awesome in the "fast corners three" - Barcelona, Silverstone & Suzuka!
 
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