Spanish GP Thread will contain Practice,Qualifying and Race spoilers

[Fernando]

The Circuit de Catalunya plays host to the fifth round of the 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship with the teams returning to Europe after four fly-away events.

The circuit to the north of Barcelona is the closest that F1 has to a home track. The Spanish Grand Prix has been held here since 1991 but the track is also a favourite testing venue. Its popularity stems from the excellent facilities and a high-downforce layout that features a long straight and a combination of high-speed and low-speed cornering but otherwise provides medium tyre wear, medium brake wear and cooling, medium kerb sizes etc, This year F1 held two of its three pre-season tests at the circuit and the consensus is that a car that goes well in Barcelona will go well at most circuits.

Barcelona is a tough place to overtake, a characteristic demonstrated by the fact that the winner has only once come from beyond the front row and never during a dry race. Even with a reconfiguration in 2007 aimed at encouraging overtaking, this track still has a reputation as one of the most difficult permanent F1 circuits on which to pass. In 2011 the circuit was one of the most resistant to DRS-assisted overtaking, hence for this year the DRS zone has been lengthened.

F1 comes to Spain with Sebastian Vettel leading the Drivers’ Championship with 53 points and Red Bull Racing in front in the Constructors’ Championship with 101. The first four races of the year have been won by four different drivers from four different teams. While not unprecedented, the last time this happened was 1983, when the first four races were won by Nelson Piquet (Brabham), John Watson (McLaren), Alain Prost (Renault) and Patrick Tambay (Ferrari). The fifth race was won by Keke Rosberg for Williams and only at the sixth round did the Championship have a repeat winner.


CIRCUIT DATA

Circuit de Catalunya

Length of lap:
4.655km
Lap record
1:21.670

(Kimi Räikkönen, Ferrari, 2008)
Start line/finish line offset
0.126km
Total number of race laps
66
Total race distance
307.104km
Pitlane speed limits
60km/h during practice;
100km/h during race

CHANGES TO THE CIRCUIT SINCE 2011

A one-metre strip of artificial grass has been installed around the last part of the verge in Turn Three.

The kerb on the exit of Turn Five has been extended by 50 metres.

Spanish GP
Fast Facts
► The Circuit de Catalunya became the home of the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix in 1991, taking over from Jerez (1986-90). Only five circuits on the current F1 calendar have enjoyed a longer continuous run (Interlagos, Silverstone, Budapest, Monza, Monte Carlo). The race has also been held at Jarama (1967-8, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976-80), Montjuïc (1969, 1971, 1973, 1975) and Pedralbes (1951, 1954).
► Despite occasionally being referred to as the ‘Circuit de Barcelona’, the the Circuit de Catalunya is not within the City of Barcelona. It is located approximately 25km north of the Catalan capital in the municipality of Montmeló.
► Only once has a grand prix at the Circuit de Catalunya been won from beyond the front row. Michael Schumacher started third in 1996. The race took place in heavy rain and was Schumacher’s first win for Ferrari. There have been four wins from second place on the grid and 16 from pole position.
► This circuit has been kind to the reigning world champion. From 21 events, the man with the number one on his car has won 11 times.

► This is a bellweather venue: on 14 occasions the victorious driver has gone on to the win the Driver’s Championship and 16 times the winning team has gone on to lift the Constructors’ title at the end of the season.

► Ferrari are the constructor with the best record here. They have won at this track seven times, Williams have five victories, McLaren four, Red Bull and Benetton/Renault two each and Brawn one. For drivers, Michael Schumacher (1995. 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) is out in front with five victories. Mika Häkkinen (1998, 1999, 2000) has three wins, Kimi Räikkönen (2005, 2008) and Nigel Mansell (1991, 1992) two each. The race has also been won by Alain Prost (1993), Damon Hill (1994), Jacques Villeneuve (1997), Fernando Alonso (2006), Felipe Massa (2007), Jenson Button (2009), Mark Webber (2010) and Sebastian Vettel (2011).
Räikkönen is the only multiple winner to not have back-to-back victories. Both Mansell and Prost previously won the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

► Kimi Räikkönen’s lap record of 1:21.670 was set during 2008 – this, however, is considerably slower than the times achieved by drivers prior to the chicane being inserted before the final corner. In its previous configuration, when the lap ended with two fast sweepers, Giancarlo Fisicella’s 2005 lap time of 1:15.64 held the record. The other major event held at the track, the Catalan MotoGP race, still uses the old configuration.
► In the last decade, the Spanish Grand Prix has been particularly susceptible to immediate form: only once (2008) has the winning driver in Spain failed to win either the preceding or the following race.

Spanish GP
Race Stewards
Biographies
GERD ENNSER
MEMBER OF THE DMSB’s EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR AUTOMOBILE SPORT, FORMULA ONE AND DTM STEWARD
Dr Gerd Ennser has successfully combined his formal education in law with his passion for motor racing. While still active as a racing driver he began helping out with the management of his local motor sport club and since 2006 has been a permanent steward at every round of Germany’s DTM championship. Since 2010 he has also worked as a Formula One steward. Dr Ennser, who has worked as a judge, a prosecutor and in the legal department of an automotive-industry company, has also been a member of the steering committee of German motor sport body, the DMSB, since spring 2010, where he is responsible for automobile sport. In addition, Dr Ennser is a board member of the South Bavaria Section of ADAC, Germany’s biggest auto club.

TOM KRISTENSEN
EIGHT TIMES LE MANS WINNER, GERMAN F3 CHAMPION (1991), JAPANESE F3 CHAMPION (1993) ALMS CHAMPION (2001)
Denmark’s Tom Kristensen is the most successful driver in the history of the Le Mans 24-Hour race. He has won the classic endurance event eight times, racing for Porsche, Audi and Bentley. Kristensen, 44, has a broad racing CV, having competed in single-seaters, touring cars and a range of sportscars. He has also tested in F1. A popular and respected figure, this year he is competing in the inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship, driving for Audi Sport Team Joest. Along with long-time team mates Dindo Capello and Allan McNish he won the first round of the championship at the 12 Hours of Sebring, making him the first man to win that famous race six times.


RADOVAN NOVAK

SEC. GENERAL OF THE ACCR (AUTOCLUB OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC); WORLD MOTOR SPORT COUNCIL MEMBER
Radovan Novak has been actively involved in motorsport since 1963 and rose to become Secretary General of the ACCR in 1990. Since 1991 he has held the role of President of the FIA Central European Zone and over the past two decades he has acted as a steward and observer in WRC and ERC rallies, EC autocross and rallycross events and WTCC and GT races. He has been a Formula One steward since 1994. From 1994 to 2006, he was a member of the FIA Off-road Commission and was made a member of the World Motor Sport Council in 1998. In 2000 he became a member of the Sport Commission at the Ministry of Sport of the Czech Republic. An avid racer and co-driver, Radovan Novak has won a number of Czech rallying events.

Source: FIA

[Alessandro Ciambella]

► In the last decade, the Spanish Grand Prix has been particularly susceptible to immediate form: only once (2008) has the winning driver in Spain failed to win either the preceding or the following race.


Very interesting. Trying to think back at circuits that proceed and follow this GP on the past and they are always very different kinds of track layout.

Will we have a clear favourite for the WDC after this race in Vettel?

[Guest]

The clear favourite for the title will be the one who can manage to fine tune their setup to maximise the 'tyre window' over the most sundays until the end of the year.

[Gregers]

I've got a good feeling about Kimi and Roman this weekend

[monty junior]

Same for me, i have Kimi on an each way bet for the race victory. I think Raikkonen has settled back in to superbly back to F1, a wins on it's way.

[Guest]

Circuit is very much a chassic circuit so it's not suprising to see and hear the pundits all agreeing that Lotus & Red Bull look like the cars to be in this weekend. Ferrari are nowhere.

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Circuit is very much a chassic circuit so it's not suprising to see and hear the pundits all agreeing that Lotus & Red Bull look like the cars to be in this weekend. Ferrari are nowhere.

Has the "new" Ferrari chassis been on show? A few weeks back rumour had it they'd "borrowed" a lot of design elements from Sauber.

[Guest]

Yes the upgraded Ferrari has been on show and it's shown no real sign of improvement in terms of being able to achieve competitive times. Alguersuari on BBC has said that they still look to be upto one second off pace and many of the other pundits tend to agree.

I think if Alonso had not won Malaysia they would probably be thinking about 2013, however that win and the other points he has achieved have still given them time. It's amazing to think that he's equal points with JB this season. I think it's once again damage limitation this weekend, however Monaco is more of a driver input circuit so a big haul of points is still achievable there in a less competitive car. If the car is not competitive after Monaco and Alonso has dramatically dropped out of the championship points mix then focus will surely turn to 2013.

[Alessandro Ciambella]

Señor Diaz will not let Ferrari give up until it is mathematically impossible. His philosophy of never say die attitude is an inspiration to his engineers. Only a fool would write off Ferrari and Alonso after the Monaco GP.

It's the most open championship for years and everything is still up for grabs.

[The Special Juan]

I see Lewis is on pole. I imagine he'll streak clear before a botched pitstop allows Raikkonen to sneak a win or something...

[Guest]

On any other occasion or previous season, this would be 'in the bag' for Hamilton. However, the tyres play such a huge part of F1 nowadays that pole in reality means nothing. Something has to be done about the use of different tyres between qualifying and race. Seriously Button complaining about setup and understeer is beyond embarrasing, time to change the record.

Hamilton being told to stop the car at the end of the session, any update regarding this?

[Fernando]

well that was certainly an interesting qualifying , I think the people in 2nd and 3rd are not who Hamilton would want in his mirrors. Lotus looked impressive on long runs so id be wary of them and the Williams has been better on long running all season in the hands of Maldonado certainly proving the "Pay Driver" label wrong so far

[dyrewolfe]

Nice to see Hamilton get pole, but given that Vettel didn't do a timed lap it was almost by default.

Amazing performance by Maldonado. It'll be interesting to see if he can maintain that kind of pace in the race...I suspect he'll have to settle for a points finish outside the top 3, but its a sign of progress for Williams nonetheless.

Another great quali for Alonso...undoubtedly Hamilton's greatest threat and he will fancy his chances of picking up his second win.

Very decent result for Lotus too. Kimi and Roman are likely to throw a couple of spanners into the works, as will Perez...especially if he does another "1 stop less" strategy.

Have Red Bull made a colossal blunder, not letting Seb set a lap time in Q3? I can't believe saving an extra set or two of tyres is worth starting 8th. Given who is ahead of him, I don't fancy his chances of making up more than a couple of places. And that was their second mistake after over-estimating Webber's margin of safety in Q2. What is up with RB suddenly being so cautious about their tyres?

Not expecting much from Button unless his car miraculously re-balances itself overnight. Its almost a mirror-image of whats going on at Ferrari, with one driver making the car work really well, while the other struggles.

[Guest]

Another great quali for Alonso...undoubtedly Hamilton's greatest threat and he will fancy his chances of picking up his second win

I disagree. I think Raikkonen is clearly Hamilton's biggest threat. Long run data throughout practice showed that the Lotus was the car to be in and certainly not the Ferrari. As I said certain teams were incredibly cautious during Q3 in saving these tyres for Sunday and Ferrari capatilised. Massa is 17th I believe and I don't car how good Alonso is, the sign of a good car is when the bad driver is competitive and Massa is nowhere.

Lets just wait and see but my prediction is a fight between Hamilton & Raikkonen for the win with the Red Bulls finishing behind.

[SteveG]

Mighty effort from Lewis. Brilliant stuff. Was that car gremlin to save a bit of tyre ? Noooo surely not

In his post race interview Vettel admitted that they did not have the speed and so decided to play the percentage game.

TBH I don't like the idea that drivers can 'choose' not to set a time in favour of choosing tyres - it just devalues what has always been crucial to success in a race. So perhaps its time to ditch this Q3 fastest lap/starting tyre rule. Tyres have already ruined much of the racing in its purist sense (IMO) and now its creeping into qualifying.

[Guest]

Lewis under investigation for fuel issue at end of Q3 - potential penalty (Well done Mclaren!). This guy is cursed, anything that can go wrong does go wrong. Real shame and I'm fully expecting the worst, also I agree regarding qualifying and the need for tyres that are used solely for qualifying and then race. Ridiculous

[monty junior]

On any other occasion or previous season, this would be 'in the bag' for Hamilton. However, the tyres play such a huge part of F1 nowadays that pole in reality means nothing. Something has to be done about the use of different tyres between qualifying and race. Seriously Button complaining about setup and understeer is beyond embarrasing, time to change the record.

Hamilton being told to stop the car at the end of the session, any update regarding this?

I wouldn't say " any other occasion" as he has already been on pole twice this season and not even looked like winning. Having said that he was miles ahead today, some lap at the end and if Maldonado get's a good start and hold's up the Lotus' it could be a pretty simple win.

[Guest]

Okay maybe not 'in the bag' but you know what I mean, especially when your sitting next to a Williams & a clearly inferior car to that of yours in third.

Qualifying is the main issue now and the situation will be worsened if Webber or Button won tomorrow, further emphasising the huge benefit of having tyres in the bank as Kimi showed in Bahrain. They may possibly look to awarding points for qualification as a way of making drivers not only entertain the paying crowd in Q3 but also force them to drive to gain crucial points. I mean I've always liked the idea of points for qualification, it is at the end of the day a huge importance to the race weekend, so why is it not valued enough. Thoughts?

[The Special Juan]

The only problem with this is if you get someone like Good Old Seb last year, he'd probably wrap the WDC up purely on qualifying performances.

[Alessandro Ciambella]

I believe I have the solution to tyres.

I remember a time in F1 where a driver chose a compound for qualifying and the race and dealt with the consequences. Soft or hard compound and then they run a strategy accordingly. No changing compounds as they have to run what they chose.

For some reason the sport seems to want to make teams run both compounds during the race. Can somebody tell me why?

Get ready for the solution. It is immense!

If the FIA want teams to run both compounds then that's fine. The driver can choose 1 compound for qualifying and use the other compound for racing. The driver makes the choice on which he wants to run. Plus it stops drivers saving rubber for the race because that compound will be surpluss from qualifying. Tyre wars still but in a much more interesting position. Do you go for quali or race advantage? Track position is crucial after all.

As and extra twist the FIA should implement this and bring being back refuelling. Q3 will be interesting plus there would be strategy again.

Everybody loves strategy!

Don't thank me! It's why I am on the Monza Motorsport Council. We have all the best ideas!

[Bull]

going to be a good race tormo!

good to see that the updates have worked so far for ferrari! and alonso

welldone to them. and well done to Pastor and Lewis.

[Alessandro Ciambella]

So, Hamilton has to start last in the grid after the FIA strip all his times.

If he has no times then how does he qualify within 107% of the time? Shouldn't he be disqualified from the race?

Once again the FIA have no idea what they are doing.

[Dave.]

McLaren are an absolute joke.

[SteveG]

Why start at the back if the offence was committed in Q3 - surely Q1 and Q2 are valid ?

[Guest]

This is beyond shocking now on all levels. This team is an absolute joke, I don't care what Dyrewolf has to say.......embarrasing outfit. Was really looking forward to tomorrows race and now it seems like it advantage Vettel all over again.

No doubt the team will have absolutely perfect pit stops when the pressure is off tomorrow, typical. Signing that contract looks more unlikely as the appaling mistakes continue to happen on a weekend basis. Hamilton will struggle to make top 10 tomorrow at this track.

[Fernando]

So, Hamilton has to start last in the grid after the FIA strip all his times.

If he has no times then how does he qualify within 107% of the time? Shouldn't he be disqualified from the race?

Once again the FIA have no idea what they are doing.

Because 107% is done in Q1 not Q3 and you only need to show your pace in the same way Pedro De La Rosa will get in

[Dave.]

McLaren have been on the slide since Martin Whitmarsh took over.

[Alessandro Ciambella]

The statement on the website says all times from all sessions have been removed though.

Hamilton V Massa in the battle for 16th!

[Guest]

Martin Whitmarsh said, ''my sense and feeling is that Lewis won't get a penalty''........this guy is embarrasing, how is he still leading this team after these mistakes. This is truly unbelievable.

[The Special Juan]

Hilarious. Abslolutely hilarious. Does this mean Pastor Maldonado starts on pole now?

[Fernando]

Hilarious. Abslolutely hilarious. Does this mean Pastor Maldonado starts on pole now?

Yes

[GSC]

This seems unnecessarily harsh.

Surely a 5 place drop or removing his Q3 time would've sufficed.

[Bullsbok]

i am so shocked the FIA screwed lewis again then again this is in spain , fernando was in 3rd place and its Williams bday , and theres a Williams car in the front row.hhmmmm how to kill two bird with one stone.......remove a certain Mr Hamilton and problem solved. Spaniard in the front row in front of his home fans and nice pole position to celebrate Frank Williams

[The Special Juan]

Cheers nando. Sir Frank must be delighted now.

Can McLaren appeal it?

[Fernando]

i am so shocked the FIA screwed lewis again

How exactly have the FIA screwed him? His team put the fuel in the car not the FIA/Stewards/Frank Williams.

If they can't do it properly they only have themselves to blame.


Ive no idea if can be appealed but if so id expect Mclaren will

[Belgarion of Riva]

This is complete and total BS. Change a gear box, 5 grid penalty, block another driver in qualifying, 5 place grid penalty. Qualify on pole and can't get to the pits, start from last place on the grid.

The FIA is a joke

[The Special Juan]

Can normally appeal everything else...

Only McLaren, a "professional" team in a global sport can muck up like this. That's why it's laughable. I miss Ron.

[Alessandro Ciambella]

James Allen has confirmed the decision can not be appealed.

[Belgarion of Riva]

Love or hate Ferrari, they would never put up with this BS

[monty junior]

That really is a shame, i would have said a five place grid penalty or at worse his Q3 times to be deleted. Can't believe Maldonado starts on pole..

[Guest]

As much as I dislike the FIA, this is completely due to McLaren & Martin Whitmarsh......again. How there's not been an investigation into the performance of Whitmarsh over the past two years still amazes me to this day. Another completely embarrasing foul up from McLaren which leaves their top driver again punished for their amateurish mistake, without an apology.

As for the race, I fully expect Alonso to pass Maldonado in the early stages, however the race will be decided on long run pace and the Lotus' & Vettel will come into contention later on and pass Alonso. Kimi or Seb to win, Hamilton to be pulling crazy moves under pure frustration like in 2011 which will end in tears. Button to complain about the wind direction upsetting his balance.

Anyone know if rain is expected.....it's Lewis' only hope.

[CaledonianCraig]

Yes I know it was all McLaren's fault but the point here is that if it had been a Ferrari there is no way the penalty would have been the same. When it became clear an investigation was under way F1 experts and pundits were all feeling sure it would mean him being docked his fastest time and him starting sixth. No one predicted this.

It should still be a cracking race though with so many possibilities. Fingers crossed that Williams can turn back the clock.

[Belgarion of Riva]

The FIA always come up with new punishments to dish out to Hamilton. To basically banish him to the back of the grid means they believe his team deliberately underfueled the car. It's funny when Ferrari broke the rules regarding team orders they were given an insignificant penalty. This punishment especially on a notoriously difficult track to overtake on has basicall ended Hamilton's race and even though the decision cannot be appealed, it shouldn't be accepted.

Mclaren have finally designed a car that can win the championship and the team is devising new ways to destroy it for their drivers. What a joke

[Alessandro Ciambella]

From what I have read Hamilton and Mclaren have done this before in Canada 2010. Because of this the FIA rewrote the rules and punishments should it happen again.

Unfortunately Hamilton and Mclaren are the next offenders with previous. The FIA were always going to throw the book at them.

Had another team did it for the first time then I believe they would have been punished but less harshly. IMO.

[Bullsbok]

I need you to show me which part of the rulebook states you have to completely disqualify them from qualifing. If you can prove that then i'll stop believing the FIA are ferrari lackeys

[Belgarion of Riva]

Fair point Alessandro. Still feel the punishment was too harsh. He did get through Q1 and Q2 legally.

Shame really. Anyways, roll on tomorrow, what are the odds on LH and FM having a few 'moments'

[CaledonianCraig]

Spot on Bullsbok. Experts and pundits alike were expecting a five place penalty or perhaps dropped to tenth at the absolute most. No one predicted what was given and I am 100% certain that penalty would never have been given to a Ferrari in the same circumstances.

[Guest]

The punishment is simply shocking and McLaren have once again shown to the F1 paddock what a complete embarrasment they currently are under the reign of Martin Whitmarsh. His comment, ''my sense and feeling is that Lewis won't get a penalty'', was an appaling answer to the question regarding the issue and it was only in 2010 that this issue originally occured, therefore he must of known the seriousness of the situation and the impending penalty and rule change the FIA had implemented. It's apparent this guy is not in any way, shape or form fit to run this team in a professional way. It is quite evident that we are having to watch Martin Whitmarsh being questioned nearly every race weekend regarding another McLaren foul up, which will, if not fixed, ultimately cost Lewis & Jenson and the team world titles.

The FIA will be pleased with their tough stance and punishment but when they realise the Ferrari's long run pace and it's shocking tyre wear in comparison to Lotus & Red Bull, I expect their smiles to suddenly disappear. The only reason Alonso qualified 3rd was because of the over-cautious approach of it's rival teams in attempting to save the tyres for sunday.

As for Lewis, he must surely realise that McLaren is not the team or the professional environment to succeed in winning multiple world titles. They have already cost him and his teammate a haul of points which will almost certainly cost them come the end of the season when they sit down and analyse 'what went wrong'.......again. Amateurish pit-stops, astonishingly poor pit-strategy, under-fuelling and many more. How many more foul ups are needed for action to be taken? Simply ridiculous

[Critical_mass]

This is a complete joke, why does he have to start at the back of the grid? surely at the most he should be starting 10th on the grid?

As above - where does it say disqualification over 10 place penalty. FIA is a laughing stock.

[Trebs]

The punishment is correct.

If the other 23 drivers complete the qualifying session fairly, using the required specifications and fuel loads, and the other driver does not, then they have cheated. Intentionally or not, they have cheated.

Therefore they should be at the back of the grid.

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