06-05-2014, 22:04
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/27096249
Spanish GP: Rivals hope to banish Mercedes dominance at Barcelona
Formula 1 returns to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix this week after Mercedes continued their dominant early-season form in Asia and the Middle East with Lewis Hamilton's victory in China.
Nico Rosberg still leads the championship, but Hamilton's Shanghai success means he is just four points behind his team-mate.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, though, will be hoping home advantage can spur him on to a first win of the season.
Reasons to watch the Spanish GP
Did you know?
Fernando Alonso is the only Spaniard to have won a Formula 1 race. He triumphed in his home event at the Circuit de Catalunya for Ferrari last year and for Renault in 2006
Hamilton goes for a fourth successive win, Rosberg aims to hold onto the championship lead and defending champion Alonso hopes to build on a first podium of the season in China.
Red Bull will try to ensure Sebastian Vettel fully understands team orders while McLaren will want to pick up points for the first time since Malaysia in March.
Felipe Massa, meanwhile, will simply hope his mechanics manage to avoid fitting a wheel on the wrong side of his Williams after his botched pit stop in China.
Spanish Grand Prix picture
What makes the Spanish GP different?
At 730m, the run from the start line to the first corner at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the longest in Formula 1.
The Circuit de Catalunya
First grand prix: 1991
Circuit length: 4.655km
Circuit distance: 307.104km
Laps: 66
Lap record: 1:24.125 (K Raikkonen 2008)
The first two sectors are quick with long, sweeping corners which require good downforce and a well-balanced car. The third sector is slower and more technical.
Some welcome news for Vettel is the circuit has often been kind to reigning world champions; the driver with the number one on his car has won 11 of the 22 grands prix held here. The winning driver has gone on to take the title that season 14 times.
With this the first race of the year in Europe, Barcelona is seen as the first big milestone for upgrades from the teams, meaning Red Bull are likely to bring a package they hope can help them pose a greater challenge at the front.
Could this race mark the beginning of the end of the Mercedes dominance?
Spanish GP: Rivals hope to banish Mercedes dominance at Barcelona
Formula 1 returns to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix this week after Mercedes continued their dominant early-season form in Asia and the Middle East with Lewis Hamilton's victory in China.
Nico Rosberg still leads the championship, but Hamilton's Shanghai success means he is just four points behind his team-mate.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, though, will be hoping home advantage can spur him on to a first win of the season.
Reasons to watch the Spanish GP
Did you know?
Fernando Alonso is the only Spaniard to have won a Formula 1 race. He triumphed in his home event at the Circuit de Catalunya for Ferrari last year and for Renault in 2006
Hamilton goes for a fourth successive win, Rosberg aims to hold onto the championship lead and defending champion Alonso hopes to build on a first podium of the season in China.
Red Bull will try to ensure Sebastian Vettel fully understands team orders while McLaren will want to pick up points for the first time since Malaysia in March.
Felipe Massa, meanwhile, will simply hope his mechanics manage to avoid fitting a wheel on the wrong side of his Williams after his botched pit stop in China.
Spanish Grand Prix picture
What makes the Spanish GP different?
At 730m, the run from the start line to the first corner at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the longest in Formula 1.
The Circuit de Catalunya
First grand prix: 1991
Circuit length: 4.655km
Circuit distance: 307.104km
Laps: 66
Lap record: 1:24.125 (K Raikkonen 2008)
The first two sectors are quick with long, sweeping corners which require good downforce and a well-balanced car. The third sector is slower and more technical.
Some welcome news for Vettel is the circuit has often been kind to reigning world champions; the driver with the number one on his car has won 11 of the 22 grands prix held here. The winning driver has gone on to take the title that season 14 times.
With this the first race of the year in Europe, Barcelona is seen as the first big milestone for upgrades from the teams, meaning Red Bull are likely to bring a package they hope can help them pose a greater challenge at the front.
Could this race mark the beginning of the end of the Mercedes dominance?
Fernando es de otro planeta