[Seerseraxlils]

I think next Sunday's grand prix is being awaited with almost as much excitement as the start to the season.

There is an urgency in the Ferrari camp because they know that time is not on Alonso's side. The current engine has a flaw that was overlooked between 2009 and 2010 - the pneumatic valve leak problem that eventually creates a situation that blows it up between 900 and 1100 km's.

Being Spain is there any other driver that will be able to overcome Alonso with Ferrari probably preparing everything as they will for Monza - that extra little intensity. Alonso WILL be driving them.

I dont support him but I am a great fan of the Spaniard - he will be in "Nigel Mansell at Silverstone" mode and he fully understands that if the FIA do not allow any tweak, the Ferrari team will have to push hard.

Can they? I think the team at Ferrari are weaker than when Schumi was there so it is all down to him.

So I pick Fernando for a win - but WOULD naturally prefer it to be Jenson who drove that most amazing third sector last year to beat Vettel for the pole and drives well at Catalunya.

Going into the next part of the championship leading and after winning two of the first four races in difficult conditions in a car he is beginning to really like, in a relaxed frame of mind compared to the previous year - the natural Jenson is showing. Happily

[SerycegeBunny]

I'm not holding out hope for Barcelona providing a great race unless the weather plays tricks on us. Its usually a two by two grid as the cars are superoptimised thanks to the pre-season testing there and as Bahrain showed without a mixed up grid we get hardly any overtaking.

It will however give us a good idea of where the teams are relative to each other as we get into the real meat of the season. I'll be interested to see how the new teams in particular shape up.

[Cofeeman]

Its usually a procession so I agree with Dylan unless it rains its be pretty much decided on Saturday.

[VastDrura]

If it rains, will the shoe be up to 6 secs a lap faster or slower than all the others?

Answers on a postcard to;

I've run out of Kleenex (again)
THAT CORNER
San Marino

[Seerseraxlils]

As someone nurtured on the racing in the 1970's, while the driver does not count in the same way, the drivers are now also used to the new tyres.

The racing is very close and I disagree that the race is decided on the Saturday.

And anyway, that is also a false argument - just look at sports like athletics, tennis [talk about mind numbing boredom] or boxing. The seeded or rated competitors almost always end up winning.

But then I guess racing is trying to cater to the needs of a generation with the concentration of gnats. Racing is not for them.

There IS an enjoyable race when drivers push each other until the flag.

[Seerseraxlils]

I'm not holding out hope for Barcelona providing a great race unless the weather plays tricks on us. Its usually a two by two grid as the cars are superoptimised thanks to the pre-season testing there and as Bahrain showed without a mixed up grid we get hardly any overtaking.

It will however give us a good idea of where the teams are relative to each other as we get into the real meat of the season. I'll be interested to see how the new teams in particular shape up.

Define a "great race".

I remember Monte Carlo Grands Prix hailed by all, featuring no changes in the top positions.

Or maybe its a double standard - nothing new in that.

[dexterljohnthefinanceguy]

I am looking forward for a regular race, for I am curious about the true pecking order of teams. My guess is that RBR are still in front and young Sebastian is favorite to win. But as our friend Devote said, Alonso will be very motivated and Jenson too seems in perfect condition now.

[boxcigsnick]

I am looking forward for a regular race, for I am curious about the true pecking order of teams. My guess is that RBR are still in front and young Sebastian is favorite to win. But as our friend Devote said, Alonso will be very motivated and Jenson too seems in perfect condition now.

Indeed. We need a dry race so we can see where everyone lies now.

I doubt the cars are quite as superoptimised as in previous years as a) they don't test here as often now. And b) most of the cars are completely different from the last time the came to Spain 3 months ago.

I'm not expecting a thriller, but perhaps a tense GP, with the top half dozen close on times and on track.

[Cofeeman]

I think Lewis will be keen to prove a point that not only his race pace is better than Jenson's but also his qualifying pace. This is something he needs to work on and Barcelona is one of the fastest tracks of the season so far, so this will be heavily on Lewis's mind heading into the weekend. The teams lost almost a week with the European no fly zone, so updates may be less implemented as some teams hope. Schumacher will be interesting to watch as Brawn has declared they have designed a new chassis which is more catered towards his driving style. Will this be the first race he finishes ahead of Nico??

[SerycegeBunny]

Define a "great race".

I remember Monte Carlo Grands Prix hailed by all, featuring no changes in the top positions.

Or maybe its a double standard - nothing new in that.

Isn't it interesting that you suggest I have double standards merely by suggesting that Barcelona isn't going to provide a great race just as it has often failed to do so in the past. Very telling.

[SerycegeBunny]

I think Lewis will be keen to prove a point that not only his race pace is better than Jenson's but also his qualifying pace. This is something he needs to work on and Barcelona is one of the fastest tracks of the season so far, so this will be heavily on Lewis's mind heading into the weekend. The teams lost almost a week with the European no fly zone, so updates may be less implemented as some teams hope. Schumacher will be interesting to watch as Brawn has declared they have designed a new chassis which is more catered towards his driving style. Will this be the first race he finishes ahead of Nico??

I agree, the intra-team battles will be very interesting. Namely can Lewis, Michael, Felipe and Mark reverse the lack of pace or results they've shown against their teammates so far.

Michael especially is running out of time to prove that his return isn't doomed to failure given the large gap between himself and Nico. I hope he manages to close the gap.

[Seerseraxlils]

Isn't it interesting that you suggest I have double standards merely by suggesting that Barcelona isn't going to provide a great race just as it has often failed to do so in the past. Very telling.

The double standard exists generally, where there is no complaint about Monte Carlo, yet there will be if there is no constant overtaking at Catalunya.

The constant moaning by ANYONE regarding overtaking or "boring races" in f1 should stop now.

[Seerseraxlils]

I agree, the intra-team battles will be very interesting. Namely can Lewis, Michael, Felipe and Mark reverse the lack of pace or results they've shown against their teammates so far.

Michael especially is running out of time to prove that his return isn't doomed to failure given the large gap between himself and Nico. I hope he manages to close the gap.

I dont think Schumi is running out of time. He is a very sensitive driver and if the car is not set-up to his liking then there are problems.

Remember in this era of control tyres and no testing - if a car is not quite suited then a driver will find difficulty. The days of driving around a problem are unfortunately past.

Mercedes will never drop Schumi - he would leave if he thought it was over. But there is a longer wheelbase car for Barcelona and it is after all only the fifth race back. Its not that easy even for the great Schumi.

[Seerseraxlils]

I think Lewis will be keen to prove a point that not only his race pace is better than Jenson's but also his qualifying pace. This is something he needs to work on and Barcelona is one of the fastest tracks of the season so far, so this will be heavily on Lewis's mind heading into the weekend. The teams lost almost a week with the European no fly zone, so updates may be less implemented as some teams hope. Schumacher will be interesting to watch as Brawn has declared they have designed a new chassis which is more catered towards his driving style. Will this be the first race he finishes ahead of Nico??

Lewis is trying too hard. He said himself that he needs to adjust his technique to compete with Jenson. His main problem has been that he is much harder on his tyres than Button. Although the decision making over pitting has been one of some confusion also.

[standaman]

Schumacher will be interesting to watch as Brawn has declared they have designed a new chassis which is more catered towards his driving style. Will this be the first race he finishes ahead of Nico??

That's BS. He will use the same chassis he used in pre-season testing, hardly a new design.
What Mercedes are doing is to improve the weight balance of the car by lengthening the wheelbase on both cars. And this again doesn't qualify as a new chassis, given that only the suspension geometry will change.

[SerycegeBunny]

The double standard exists generally, where there is no complaint about Monte Carlo, yet there will be if there is no constant overtaking at Catalunya.

The constant moaning by ANYONE regarding overtaking or "boring races" in f1 should stop now.

I don't find the racing at Monte Carlo particularly interesting either, although I find the DRIVING there rather impressive. Neither did I find the 'racing' at Bahrain particularly spectacular.

There are no double standards there.

[CIAFreeAgent]

I'm expecting Red Bull's early season advantage to dwindle as the other teams catch up in the usual fashion. I think Sebastian will be right up there though.

I'm expecting a better result from Lewis, another good one from Jenson and a good one from Fernando, assuming no mechanical issues.

I'm not sure about Michael. I hope he finds something he likes with the new car set up.

[SerycegeBunny]

I dont think Schumi is running out of time. He is a very sensitive driver and if the car is not set-up to his liking then there are problems.

Remember in this era of control tyres and no testing - if a car is not quite suited then a driver will find difficulty. The days of driving around a problem are unfortunately past.

I disagree completely. The mark of a truly great driver is the ability to drive around problems and Michael himself has shown himself more than capable of doing that, his early record at Ferrari is proof.

Remember that this problem with having an understeery front end due to narrower front tyres is a situation that is new to everyone with the tyre size changes introduced from this season onwards. Nico et al have had as much experience as Michael himself with this kind of handling. Witness how Lewis has coped despite having a similar style to Michael with a preference for quick turn in and a flighty rear end. Whilst he is also trailing his teammate a lack of pace is not one of Lewis's problems. No other leading driver is having as much difficulty adjusting to the new 2010 cars even though some of them are not as talented as Michael. That is worrying.

Also the sheer size of the gap in pace is in itself a cause for alarm, even Kazuki Nakajima was closer to Nico's raw pace than Michael currently is. That in itself is rather damning. I hope Michael can close the gap for he would be a sight to see if he gets close to his prime.

[Seerseraxlils]

I don't find the racing at Monte Carlo particularly interesting either, although I find the DRIVING there rather impressive. Neither did I find the 'racing' at Bahrain particularly spectacular.

There are no double standards there.

Well, f1 is not going to change in the direction you are seeking - it is just not in the sports' dna and never has been.

I just wonder why you even bother watching. I certainly would not.

I presume Le Mans is just NOT on your calendar!

[SerycegeBunny]

Well, f1 is not going to change in the direction you are seeking - it is just not in the sports' dna and never has been.

I just wonder why you even bother watching. I certainly would not.

I presume Le Mans is just NOT on your calendar!

A rather presumptious post since you have no idea why I watch the sport. One could ask the same of you, if after all these years of watching the sport you still struggle to understand it why do you bother?