Speedcafe.com Race Guide - 2011 Spanish Grand Prix

RACE

Round 4 – Spanish Grand Prix – May 20-22

D GUIDE www.speedcafe.com

BARCELONA

E T A M I T L THE U

E G N E L L A H C

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Race Guide After being strategically out played in China, Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing bounced back with a commanding victory in Turkey.

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Round 5 – Spain

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Race Preview

Round 5 – Spain

INTRODUCTION RACE GUIDE BARCELONA EVENT 2 – Clipsal 500, Adelaide – March 17-20

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EDITOR: Stefan Bartholomaeus PRODUCTION: Stefan Bartholomaeus SALES/MARKETING: Leisa Emberson IMAGES: Scuderia Ferrari Red Bull Racing Vodafone McLaren Mercedes GUEST COLUMNIST: Daryl Beattie PARTNERS: Castrol EDGE, IRWIN Tools, Jack Daniel’s, Orrcon Steel, Pirtek, Vodafone, HDT, Norton 360

Red Bull reprieve

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s this Race Guide’s cover story details, it’s going to be a very different Spanish Grand Prix this year.

While the 2011 rule package will ensure there’s plenty of passing to discuss on Sunday night, some will be left wondering how the race would have played out had the FIA had its way.

If the governing body gone through with its plan to severely limit the off-throttle effectiveness of the blown diffusers, the competitive order could have undergone a serious shake-up this weekend.

The practice, which it is believed have been used by Red Bull since part-way through last season, has seen the teams develop alternative engine mapping in order to keep a constant flow of exhaust gasses to the diffuser regardless of throttle position.

Achieved by retarding the spark to ensure combustion within the exhaust itself, the related heat issues have clearly challenged the leading teams - with much of Red Bull’s current advantage being levelled at its system.

While the teams had been told that the practice would be banned from Spain onwards, a decision to delay any regulation changes until Canada will come as a relief to Mark Webber.

The Australian has not been able to match team-mate Sebastian Vettel over the opening four races, but enters back-to-back Grands Prix, both of which he won last year, with a car that will continue to set the performance benchmark.

With 50 points available, it’s going to be a very important eight days in the context of the championship.

Green means go!

STEFAN BARTHOLOMAEUS Journalist, Speedcafe.com Editor, Speedcafe Race Guides

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Race Guide

COVER STORY

The Ultimate Challenge Since the announcement of the 2011 regulations, the Spanish GP has been earmarked as a real acid test

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fter four largely chaotic races, the 2011 Formula One regulations will be put to the ultimate test weekend when the World Championship heads to Barcelona.

The track layout, featuring medium to high speed corners leading onto its two longest straights, has long been considered one of the most difficult to overtake on.

Six of the last 20 Spanish

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Grands Prix run at the circuit have been won from pole position, while according to data compiled by MercedesGP, the race has featured an average of just 2.3 genuine passes for position over the last three years.

With the 2011 season currently featuring an average of 76 overtakes per race, it’s almost certain that this year’s Spanish GP will be very different to that seen in years past.

The new style of racing can be put down to the combination of faster degrading Pirelli tyres, the newly introduced Downforce Reduction Systems, and to a lesser extent, the reintroduced Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems.

According to McLaren engineering director Tim Goss, spectators are in for another action-packed race.

“I think most of us would

Round 5 – Spain

be surprised if Spain is not an entertaining race,” says Goss.

“Tyre wear and life will play a large part in that and DRS will help.

“One of the most encouraging things for me this season is that the overtakes are not just happening in the DRS zone.

“If that were just happening then it would be very predictable. It makes it more exciting for the spectators and hopefully that draws more

viewers to the sport.”

After decades of calls to increase overtaking, the 2011 style of racing has drawn some criticism for creating too much passing.

Force India chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer thinks that it may take another few races to work out just where the current rules are at.

“I think the jury is still out,” he said of the new rules.

“In China it was fantastic, but

maybe in Turkey there were too many pitstops and too much passing.

“With a lot of pitstops you get tyres differences and overtaking is too easy. I thought that China was great, fantastic - and perhaps Turkey was a bit more extreme.

“The nice thing is that if we all agree it has been overdone then you can throttle it back – and maybe get rid of the DRS, or whatever.”

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Race Guide

Make mine a McDouble

n and Jenson ren team-mates Lewis Hamilto La Mc , row a in ar ye nd co se the For l. In the end, a four-stopping bu an Ist in rd ha ly me tre ex er Button raced each oth ee-stopping Button was sixth.

Hamilton was fourth, while a thr

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Event 12 – Symmons Plains

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Race Guide

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Round 5 – Spain

TRACK DETAILS

ENGINE: The Barcelona circuit layout requires strong driveability from the engine, particularly in the slower speed corners seen in the second part of the lap.

BRAKES: Turn 10 is particularly hard on the braking system. A stable car under braking is important, especially in hot conditions where tyre degradation could be high.

SUSPENSION: A well balanced car is vital across the first part of the lap due to the high-speed nature of the corners, while the emphasis turns to braking stability during the slower second half of the lap. The challenging Turn 1 braking area sets the ride height requirement at this circuit.

TYRES: Barcelona can be tough on the tyres as the race takes place at a hot time of year. The long and quick Turn 3 puts a particularly long and heavy load on the left-front tyre. Turn 5 can also see locking of the front tyres due to the road falling away from the apex.

WINGS: The combination of the Downforce Reduction System and long front-straight should provide a reasonable overtaking opportunity.

Key technical stats: Lap percentage spent under braking: 15.7% Lap percentage at full throttle: 60.8% Slowest speed: 75kph Highest speed: 310kph

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Round Round52–– Spain Malaysia

OPINION by DARYL BEATTIE

Red Bull runaways

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he DRS was introduced into Formula One to create better racing. Thus far, it has done an amazing job, and if there’s any track in the world that needs an improvement in the terms of the actual racing, then Catalunya is it.

With its long radius turns, the thing that we’re going to see come into play is the aerodynamics, and it will massively suit the Red Bulls – so look for them to dominate.

Compared to the bikes, they use a slightly different variant of the circuit onto the front straight, but even so, I still fear that Red Bull’s aero package will be far superior to the rest, and I can’t see anyone getting near Sebastian Vettel or Mark Webber.

Of the other runners, I’m sure we’ll see some passing, but I’m sure that Red Bull is going to have a big advantage in Spain. I just don’t think you’re going to see the others have the opportunity to be closer enough to pass them on what is a very long front straight.

We’ve seen MotoGP bikes well into the 330kmh zone – it’s a very fast part of race track – but even so, with all those long radius turns around the back, by the time they get to the straight, the Red Bulls will be gone.

The gap will be too big for the others to catch Red Bull, but if you look back, I think you’ll see Ferrari, should make for an interesting race for the last spot on

McLaren, Mercedes and Renault battling it out, which the podium.

While Red Bull may cruise it, the interesting thing for me is that Pirelli has another new soft tyre for the weekend, and I think that’s a massive positive. It will be interesting to see how that performs between the two compounds that they select for the weekend.

And if there’s anyone out there that could challenge Vettel and Webber, it is Ferrari. I don’t think Fernando Alonso will catch Vettel at this point of the season – the gap is already too big. However, he is going to be a massive threat to Mark for that second position.

With Monaco coming up just a week after Barcelona, it’s an exciting time in Formula One. Daryl Beattie Network Ten motor racing expert

F1 TV TIMES Saturday; Qualifying - 11:30pm-12:50am (One HD) Sunday; Race - 9:00pm-12:05am (One HD), 10:30pm12:40am (Ten).

Check local guides for details

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Race Guide

THE BAG MAN

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AN’S SAY

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Round Round52–– Spain Malaysia

RED BULL RACING SEBASTIAN VETTEL “We know the Barcelona circuit well from winter testing - it should be suitable for our car. Historically Barcelona is a circuit that is poor for overtaking, but with the DRS this will now be quite different. “

Nat: German DoB: 03/07/1987 Wins: 13

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MARK WEBBER “It’s one of the best races of the season in terms of atmosphere, because of the support Fernando gets. I love the drivers’ parade when we see the fireworks in the crowd going off and they sing songs too, it is always entertaining.”

Nat: Australian DoB: 27/08/1976 Wins: 6

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Sebastian Vettel made it three wins from four starts last time out in Turkey, and not surprisingly heads to Barcelona with the tag ‘favourite’ firmly on his head.

The German and his Red Bull team did a masterful job of controlling a chaotic Istanbul race - adapting a three-stop strategy to a four-stop in the closing stages.

Webber has certainly drawn closer to his team-mate since his disastrous Albert Park weekend, but the difference between the pair is still greater than last year.

Losing out to Nico Rosberg at the first corner was Webber’s big downfall in Turkey. If the Australian is able to exit the first corner in the top two this weekend, he has a real chance of beating Vettel using the ‘undercut’ tyre strategy of pitting first.

As always, Red Bull will bring new parts to make the benchmark car even faster. The team has dodged a major bullet with the FIA’s delay on banning off-throttle exhaust flow through to the diffuser. The RB7 is the respected king in this area, and would likely have been the most hurt by its banning.

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Race Guide

McLAREN MERCEDES LEWIS HAMILTON “I think we didn’t meet our full potential in Turkey last week, and I’m hoping that the MP4-26 will be able to make a step forward if our initial testing on Friday goes successfully.”

Nat: British DoB: 07/01/1985 Wins: 15

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JENSON BUTTON “Turkey showed us that we are still on a learning curve with these Pirelli tyres, and while in Turkey it was a hard lesson to lose position due to strategy, I think it’s given us a lot of Nat: British valuable lessons in how to work as a team, how to devise our strategy and how to get the most from the tyres out on the track.” DoB: 19/01/1980 Wins: 9 Recent Grand Prix Form ITA

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY The MP4-26 will receive somewhat of a double shot in the arm this weekend, with a substantial upgrade package that includes parts initially scheduled for an Istanbul debut.

Expected to include further upgrades to the downforce-critical diffuser/exhaust, McLaren has boasted that the new package consists of some 10-12 new developments.

The team appeared to make a small step backwards relative to the speed of the field in Turkey, so will be relying on the upgrades ticking all the boxes in Friday practice evaluations for either Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button to have any chance of beating Red Bull this weekend.

The team went for an each-way bet on strategy in Turkey, with Hamilton sent on a four-stop and Button on a three.

Once again the pair found themselves racing each other hard during the Grand Prix, and managed to do so without damaging the cars.

Should be closer to Red Bull this weekend, but beating both RB7s is still a tough ask.

Round 5 – Spain

FERRARI FERNANDO ALONSO “It is a unique feeling here in Barcelona for my home grand prix. There is a huge motivation for me to do well in front of my people but also there is some extra pressure as everyone is expecting a lot from you.”

Nat: Spanish DoB: 29/07/1981 Wins: 26

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FELIPE MASSA “In the past there was never much overtaking at this circuit and yes I think the new rules mean there will be more overtaking than usual, which is good for the fans as there is plenty going on for them to watch from the start to the finish of the race.”

Nat: Brazilian DoB: 25/04/1976 Wins: 11

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Fernando Alonso and Ferrari were the positive surprise of Turkey - with the fourth Grand Prix of the season netting the F150th Italia its first podium.

Alonso’s third place ran came courtesy of speed and strategy with the team, unlike China, going for the more aggressive of the two competitive strategy options.

Qualifying remains the weakness for the Italian squad however, with Alonso unable to make the first two rows, and having to use an extra set of hard tyres compared to Webber, which cost the Spaniard in the closing stages of the race.

Team-mate Felipe Massa on the other hand used a set of soft tyres just to get through Q1, and struggled badly in the race.

While the team appears to be heading in the right direction, it is difficult to see Alonso repeating his Turkish Grand Prix podium on home soil this weekend. Without a marked increase in qualifying performance, the tighter layout may make his task too difficult.

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Race Guide

MERCEDES MICHAEL SCHUMACHER “While I was not happy with my weekend in Turkey, there have been clear signs of improvements for us as a team, which obviously push and re-boost my motivation even more. We are all determined to make progress.”

Nat: German DoB: 03/01/1969 Wins: 91

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NICO ROSBERG “Our upward trend is clear for all to see, even though we still have a little more progress to make in race configuration compared to qualifying. I’m looking forward to Barcelona, where we will also be introducing an update package for the car, and I’m excited to see how it works.”

Nat: German DoB: 27/06/1985 Wins: 0

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Despite a showing signs of improvement in China, few expected Nico Rosberg to qualifying third in Turkey.

Mercedes has perhaps made the biggest gains of any team over the last two Grands Prix, and are again promising a significant upgrade package for Spain.

The developments will include both aerodynamic and suspension revisions, as the team continues to chase a more consistent level of performance across all conditions.

With new sidepods expected to be included in the new package, wild rumours are suggesting the team is preparing a Renault-style front-exit exhaust system. Time will tell.

Rosberg’s speed in Germany make the 25-year-old an outside chance at a podium this weekend, while teammate Schumacher should be happy with just finishing in the back half of the top 10.

Istanbul arguably marked a new low in Schumacher’s ‘second career’ - an early collision with Vitaly Petrov caused by some very average driving from the seven-time World Champion.

Round 1 – Australia

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Race Guide

RENAULT NICK HEIDFELD

“The race in Istanbul was good, we had good pace and I think generally we’ve got the speed to compete with the teams ahead. If we have stronger qualifying sessions, we’ll definitely give ourselves a good chance each Sunday. This is my main focus now.”

Nat: German DoB: 10/05/1977 Wins: 0

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VITALY PETROV “I’ve been at this track many times before, and I have a lot of experience of racing here in GP2 and F3000 when I won some podiums. It’s going to be an interesting weekend because everyone knows this track quite well.”

Nat: Russian DoB: 08/09/1984 Wins: 0

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Renault returned to the points in Turkey after a double-disaster in China, and will again be hovering around the back half of the top ten this weekend.

The team will bring a small array of aero upgrades to Barcelona in its push to stay above the midfield.

Team drivers Nick Heidfeld and Vitaly Petrov are locked on 21 points each after the opening four races - indicating an interesting seasonlong duel between the pair is ahead.

The Russian out-qualified Heidfeld in Turkey, but was trumped by his more experienced team-mate in the race.

Worryingly for the Enstone squad, both drivers were more than a minute behind race winner Sebastian Vettel by the end of the race - a far cry from the podium finishes the team achieved in the opening two races.

While the R31 remains one of the friendliest on its tyres, any finish in the points will be a strong result for either driver.

Round 5 – Spain

WILLIAMS RUBENS BARRICHELLO “It will be interesting to see how much the other teams and drivers have developed since we were there for the final test in March. I hope that we as a team can make a good jump forward in performance with our upgrades in Barcelona.”

Nat: Brazilian DoB: 23/05/1972 Wins: 11

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PASTOR MALDONADO “I really like the circuit. I think it is one of the best as it is a very complete, technical track with a good mixture of high and low speed corners. Turn 3 is probably my favourite; it is very long and fast.”

Nat: Venezuelan DoB: 09/03/1985 Wins: 0

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY While the media focus has been on the team’s planned engineering reshuffle in recent weeks, Williams and its lead driver Rubens Barrichello could spring a surprise this weekend.

Since the team’s disastrous opening race in Australia, the Spanish Grand Prix has been the one earmarked as the one where the fightback will truly begin.

Improved performance in Turkey saw Barrichello score a season best 11th in qualifying, before falling back to 15th in the race.

This weekend, the team will debut its ‘Red-Bull style’ blown diffuser set-up. To be evaluated in Friday practice, the system could propel the Brazilian veteran into Q3 on Saturday.

The team has clearly struggled with its DRS in the opening races, and will once again trial the revised rear-wing that was briefly run in practice in Turkey.

While Maldonado will also benefit from the upgrades, the Venezuelan rookie remains unlikely to feature in the points as he builds experience and confidence in Formula One.

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Race Guide

FORCE INDIA ADRIAN SUTIL “The first and second sectors are high-speed and you need to have the right aero balance. But the final part of the lap is quite slow and the mechanical set-up is more important.

The difficult thing is to find the golden middle.”

Nat: German DoB: 11/01/1983 Wins: 0

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PAUL DI RESTA “We evaluated a new front wing in Istanbul and we hope to have more steps coming through in the near future.

The team has been working hard on this new concept and everybody is quite upbeat about its race introduction. “

Nat: British DoB: 16/04/1986 Wins: 0

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Adrian Sutil will be itching to get back behind the wheel for Friday practice, after a torrid week of media attention.

News of a criminal complaint against the German, following a physical altercation with a Genii Capital (owners of Lotus Renault GP) representative at the Chinese Grand Prix, has dominated talk about the team in the lead-up to this weekend’s race.

Regardless, the team is pinning its competitive hopes on its new front-end package this weekend, as it plans to race the ‘McLaren-style’ front-wing and nose package that was first seen in Istanbul practice.

While not raced in Turkey due to the lack of dry Friday running, the upgrades should keep Sutil and team-mate Paul di Resta within earshot of the top 10 in both qualifying and the race.

Di Resta had the worst Grand Prix weekend of his short career in Turkey, retiring from the race with a mechanical failure after being outqualified by his team-mate.

Points finishes are still very good results for this team.

Round 1 – Australia

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Race Guide

SAUBER KAMUI KOBAYASHI “I believe the Drag Reduction System will help to make it an exciting Grand Prix. I feel very much at home using the adjustable rear wing. I’m happy with the system and I think it will be a real benefit for the Spanish Grand Prix’s audience.”

Nat: Japanese DoB: 13/09/1986 Wins: 0

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SERGIO PEREZ “In Turkey we weren’t able to show our potential and I hope this changes in Spain and, to begin with, we are better in qualifying. We will bring an update for the car and I trust it will meet our expectations.”

Nat: Mexican DoB: 26/01/1990 Wins: 0

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Kamui Kobayashi continued his record of finishing inside the points in every race this season with a very strong performance in Turkey.

Forced to start off the back of the grid due to a reliability issue in Q1, the Japanese scythed his way to 10th by the flag.

The Sauber has proven to be a tidy and efficient car through the early races, and big updates scheduled for this weekend should ensure that Kobayashi is once again fighting for points.

The car will feature a completely new front-wing, updates to the front and rear brake ducts, new bodywork, and new aerodynamic pieces around the floor leading edge and under the chassis.

The revised blown diffuser system, trialled during the weather interrupted Istanbul practice, will again see Friday running.

Expect Kobayashi to make Q3 and finish in the points, while rookie team-mate Sergio Perez will be a little further back.

Round 5 – Spain

TORO ROSSO SEBASTIEN BUEMI “We are continuing to develop the car and have more parts coming which I hope can keep us fighting for points in the next few races. I am optimistic we can add to our points tally this weekend.”

Nat: Swiss DoB: 31/10/1988 Wins: 0

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JAIME ALGUESUARI “Barcelona, which is obviously very important for me as it’s my home race. I have many good memories from there, including scoring points there last year.”

Nat: Spanish DoB: 23/03/1990 Wins: 0

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THE BAGMAN’S SAY Scuderia Toro Rosso will have been boosted by Sebastien Buemi’s ninth place finish in Turkey - the team’s first points since Australia.

Without a major upgrade package, Buemi and team-mate Jaime Alguersuari qualified a lowly 16th and 17th respectively in Istanbul.

A three-stop strategy saw the Swiss sitting seventh heading into the final laps, before fading to his eventual finishing position of ninth.

Alguersuari meanwhile again battled with heavy tyre degradation, and scraped home 16th.

With minor aerodynamic upgrades expected for Spain, Buemi remains an outside chance of a points finish.

Alguersuari will once again be desperate to hang onto his teammate, after team principal Franz Tost all but confirmed that Australian team test-driver Daniel Ricciardo will replace one of the two existing race drivers next season.

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-

-

-

-

-

10

23 25

Race Guide

LOTUS HEIKKI KOVALAINEN “A good lap kind of flows until you reach the last three corners which are a bit fiddly. The first sector is probably the best – T1 is a quick chicane and then turns three, four, seven and nine are all fast.”

Nat: Finnish DoB: 19/10/1981 Wins: 1

Recent Grand Prix Form ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

BRA

ABU

AUS

MAL

CHI

TUR

18

16

12

13

18

17

DNF

15

16

19

Recent Barcelona Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

7

DNF

DNF

DNS

JARNO TRULLI There’s not a lot of overtaking chances around the lap and we’ll see if the DRS plays the same role in Spain that it did in Turkey – if it does then tracks like Barcelona will suddenly have overtaking chances and that’s good for the fans.”

Nat: Italian DoB: 13/07/1974 Wins: 1

Recent Grand Prix Form ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

DNF DNF 13 DNF

Recent Barcelona Form

BRA

ABU

AUS

MAL

CHI

TUR

19

21

13

DNF

19

18

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

3

10

DNF

8

DNF

17

26

THE BAGMAN’S SAY Lotus will debut its blown diffuser this weekend in Barcelona - a system that, together with a new rear wing, technical director Mike Gascoyne believes can yield the team a onesecond per lap gain.

While all of that improvement is unlikely to come this weekend, the Norfolk squad is still confident that it can begin to battle with the midfield contenders.

Making Q2 on speed remains the most obvious target for the team.

Heikki Kovalainen was just 0.8s away from that feat in Turkey - the closest either driver has been so far.

While the blown diffuser will have a two-fold effect on qualifying performance, producing both more downforce and quicker tyre warmup, finding almost a second between races is still a big ask.

Expect the cars to be quicker but the positions to be the same for now.

Round 1 – Australia

25

Race Guide

HRT NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN ” It’s hard to quantify the gain in performance we will achieve with the new updates but hopefully it will take us past our nearest competitors on the track. I think the progress has been quite steady.”

Nat: Indian DoB: 14/01/1977 Wins: 0

Recent Grand Prix Form ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

BRA

ABU

AUS

MAL

CHI

TUR

-

-

-

-

-

-

DNQ

DNF

23

21

Recent Barcelona Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

13

-

-

-

-

-

VITANTONIO LIUZZI “The Spanish Grand Prix is the best opportunity to show the world and the fans that Hispania Racing is putting a lot of effort into the team, now and for the future, and is on the right path for success. “

Nat: Italian DoB: 08/06/1981 Wins: 0

Recent Grand Prix Form ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

BRA

ABU

AUS

MAL

CHI

TUR

12

DNF

DNF

6

DNF

DNF

DNQ

DNF

22

22

Recent Barcelona Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

DNF

15

DNF

-

-

15

28

THE BAGMAN’S SAY The Turkish Grand Prix once again proved that the Hispania car has potential, but the team is still far too ragged around the edges.

Tonio Liuzzi split the Virgin Racing entries in Q1 at the demanding Istanbul circuit - falling just 0.2s shy of Jerome D’Amborsio.

Impressively, Liuzzi’s best effort was only one second adrift of Jarno Trulli’s Lotus - although that gap is expected to widen again this weekend.

The race itself in Turkey was a disaster for the HRT however, with wheel gun issues resulting in Liuzzi losing a wheel nut during the race.

The unscheduled pitstops undertaken while the issue was sorted meant that the Italian ended the race five laps down.

Narain Karthikeyan easily qualified, but lacked the pace of his teammate and finished the race three laps down.

Even a flawless performance won’t net a result anywhere near the lead lap at this stage.

Round 5 – Spain

VIRGIN TIMO GLOCK “The track has a bit of everything - very slow sections mixed with quicker sections and two very fast straights - particularly the start/finish - which is one of the fastest straights on the calendar.”

Nat: German DoB: 18/03/1982 Wins: 0

Recent Grand Prix Form ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

BRA

ABU

AUS

MAL

CHI

TUR

17

DNF

14

DNF

20

DNF

DNF

16

21

DNS

Recent Barcelona Form 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

11

10

18

JEROME D’AMBROSIO “We tested here at the beginning of the season, but we will still have the usual set-up programme to work through because, with the track’s changeable conditions, a tyre compound can work well one time and less well the next..”

Nat: Belgian DoB: 27/12/1985 Wins: 0

Recent Grand Prix Form ITA

SIN

JAP

KOR

Recent Barcelona Form

BRA

ABU

AUS

MAL

CHI

TUR

-

-

14

DNF

20

20

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

THE BAGMAN’S SAY Virgin Racing is stumbling from one disappointment to the next at the moment, with the raft of changes brought to the Turkish Grand Prix failing to pay dividends.

Lead driver Timo Glock was so disheartened by the weekend, which saw him fail to even start the race, that he now believes the team will struggle to qualify for races in the near future if major gains are not made.

While an overhaul of the squad’s technical department appears on the cards, it is unlikely to produce the short-term gain that the squad needs to stay ahead of Tonio Liuzzi’s HRT. The team has undertaken a day of straight-line aerodynamic testing in Idiada, Spain, since returning from Istanbul.

The squad’s familiarity with the Barcelona layout should also help sort out whether the package introduced in Turkey was really a step forward or backward.

It looks to be a long season for this second-year squad.

27 29

Race Guide

22

Round 5 – Spain

PAST SPANISH GP WINNERS Year 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1981 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1954 1951

Driver Mark Webber Jenson Button Kimi Räikkönen Felipe Massa Fernando Alonso Kimi Räikkönen Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher Mika Häkkinen Mika Häkkinen Mika Häkkinen Jacques Villeneuve Michael Schumacher Michael Schumacher Damon Hill Alain Prost Nigel Mansell Nigel Mansell Alain Prost Ayrton Senna Alain Prost Nigel Mansell Ayrton Senna Gilles Villeneuve Patrick Depailler Mario Andretti Mario Andretti James Hunt Jochen Mass Niki Lauda Émerson Fittipaldi Émerson Fittipaldi Jackie Stewart Jackie Stewart Jackie Stewart Graham Hill Mike Hawthorn Juan Manuel Fangio

Constructor Red Bull-Renault Brawn-Mercedes Ferrari Ferrari Renault McLaren-Mercedes Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari McLaren-Mercedes McLaren-Mercedes McLaren-Mercedes Williams-Renault Ferrari Benetton-Renault Williams-Renault Williams-Renault Williams-Renault Williams-Renault Ferrari McLaren-Honda McLaren-Honda Williams-Honda Lotus-Renault Ferrari Ligier-Ford Lotus-Ford Lotus-Ford McLaren-Ford McLaren-Ford Ferrari Lotus-Ford Lotus-Ford Tyrrell-Ford March-Ford Matra-Ford Lotus-Ford Ferrari Alfa Romeo

Location Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Catalunya Jerez Jerez Jerez Jerez Jerez Jarama Jarama Jarama Jarama Jarama Montjuïc Jarama Montjuïc Jarama Montjuïc Jarama Montjuïc Jarama Pedralbes Pedralbes

29 31

Race Guide

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP no

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Driver Sebastian Vettel Lewis Hamilton Mark Webber Jenson Button Fernando Alonso Felipe Massa Nick Heidfeld Vitaly Petrov Nico Rosberg Kamui Kobayashi Michael Schumacher Sébastien Buemi Adrian Sutil Paul di Resta Jaime Alguersuari Rubens Barrichello Jarno Trulli Sergio Perez Mendoza Jérôme D’Ambrosio Heikki Kovalainen Timo Glock Pastor Maldonado Narain Karthikeyan Vitantonio Liuzzi

Nat DEU GBR AUS GBR ESP BRA DEU RUS DEU JPN DEU SUI DEU GBR ESP BRA ITA MEX BEL FIN DEU VEN IND ITA

Car Red Bull McLaren Red Bull McLaren Ferrari Ferrari Renault Renault Mercedes Sauber Mercedes Toro Rosso Force India Force India Toro Rosso Williams Lotus Sauber Virgin Lotus Virgin Williams HRT HRT

Points 93 59 55 46 41 24 21 21 20 8 6 6 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

WORLD CONSTUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

32

Constructor Red Bull Racing Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Lotus Renault GP Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team Sauber F1 Team Scuderia Toro Rosso Force India F1 Team Team Lotus AT&T Williams Marussia Virgin Racing HRT F1 Team

Engine Renault Mercedes Ferrari Renault Mercedes Ferrari Ferrari Mercedes Renault Cosworth Cosworth Cosworth

Points 148 105 65 42 26 8 6 4 0 0 0 0

Round 2 – Malaysia

23 33

Race Guide

32

Round 5 – Spain

PAST CHAMPIONS Year Driver Nat Constructor Wins Poles Points 2010 Sebastian Vettel GER Red Bull 5 10 256 2009 Jenson Button GBR Brawn 6 4 95 2008 Lewis Hamilton GBR McLaren 5 7 98 2007 Kimi Räikkönen FIN Ferrari 6 3 110 2006 Fernando Alonso ESP Renault 7 6 134 2005 Fernando Alonso ESP Renault 7 6 133 2004 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 13 8 148 2003 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 6 5 93 2002 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 11 7 144 2001 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 9 11 123 2000 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 9 9 108 1999 Mika Häkkinen FIN McLaren 5 11 76 1998 Mika Häkkinen FIN McLaren 8 9 100 1997 Jacques Villeneuve CAN Williams 7 10 81 1996 Damon Hill GBR Williams 8 9 97 1995 Michael Schumacher GER Benetton 9 4 102 1994 Michael Schumacher GER Benetton 8 6 92 1993 Alain Prost FRA Williams 7 13 99 1992 Nigel Mansell GBR Williams 9 14 108 1991 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 7 8 96 1990 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 6 10 78 1989 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 4 2 76 1988 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 8 13 90 1987 Nelson Piquet BRA Williams 3 4 73 1986 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 4 1 72 1985 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 5 2 73 1984 Niki Lauda AUT McLaren 5 0 72 1983 Nelson Piquet BRA Brabham 3 1 59 1982 Keke Rosberg FIN Williams 1 1 44 1981 Nelson Piquet BRA Brabham 3 4 50

33 35

Race Guide

36

Round Round52–– Spain Malaysia After a difficult start to his season, Mark Webber scored his first win of 2010 at Barcelona. Can he do the same this year?

23 37

36