F1 Preview: Spanish Grand Prix

If there is any race track for formula one racers
that is driven more than any other, it will be the circuit where the next race
will be held, at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain, this weekend.

The Spanish Grand Prix has been held on this track for many years now, and has
replaced the tougher circuits of the past such as Circuit de Monjuich, which
was more of a street circuit than anything; and of course, the Jarma track,
which was last contested back in the 1970’s.

Up until the mid 2000’s, Spanish fans did not really
enjoy the race, preferring more to the Moto GP events than formula one.
However, the track has changed and so have the Spanish fans, which now have two
time world champion Fernando Alonso racing at the helm for Ferrari. This is
also the opening race of the European spring season as the first of two spring
events, (the other being Monaco) is perhaps is one of the most wide open and
fast track of the calendar.

The beginning of the circuit is a fast straightaway
that has the top speed as high as around 200 miles per hour. Then, to Renault
corner, which is hard on the brakes and a right, left and right again uphill
that can have tremendous oversteer. The drive continues on to repsol and Campsa,
and has a straight before you break hard, more than any time on the track,
through Bank Sabadell, and a sweeping double right hand turn into Europecar and
to La Caixa, which the driver has had to stay on his speed, as he now begins
back down the main straightaway to complete the lap.

The 53 lap track has never encountered a driver
which has dominated it, and even Alonso has only succeeded once in winning it,
so any driver can succeed, just as long as the car is set up. In comparison to
the following race at Monaco, where set up and position are crucial, this track
can go any way for someone to take a win, and is very low in downforce to set
up. Because of the government in Spain’s financial situation in trouble, the Circuit
de Catalunya should set a perfect example of sheer excitement this weekend as
the season opens in Europe.

Mark Gero

Mark Gero has written formula one racing stories since 2002 on the Internet for such sites as Motorsport.com, Racing Information Service News and for a brief time at the Munich Eye newspaper in Munich, Germany along with Autoweek online. Mark also has a diploma in journalism from the London School of Journalism in London, England and in addition a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa.

racingnation.com

Related Posts

• 
  Motorsports Minute: Marcus Ericsson
• 
  Motorsports Minute: Clint Bowyer
• 
  Can You Hear The Drums, Fernando?