F1 Spanish GP - Contains spoilers of all sessions...

The 2015 Spanish GP in a nutshell

Track: Circuit de Catalunya. Permanent circuit.

Race start time: 1pm UK time Sunday (2pm local).

Laps: 66.

Track length: 4.655 km.

Tyre allocation: Hard (orange) and Medium (white).

DRS Zones: Two with separate detection points (Pit Straight and between Turns Nine and 10).

Driver steward: TBA.

Lap record: Kimi Raikkonen - 1:21.670 (Ferrari; 2008).

2014 pole: Lewis Hamilton - 1:25.232 (Mercedes).

I confidently predict McLaren's new paint job upgrades will make them quick enough to get into Q3.

dyrewolfe wrote:I confidently predict McLaren's new paint job upgrades will make them quick enough to get into Q3.

I agree. They are making steady progress all the time. If it doesn't happen here in Spain it will at some point during the European season.

Not looking good so far, (15th & 16th in FP1) but its early days at the moment.

Button complaining about the balance of the car with the new front wing.

Other than that, it seems pretty much business as usual.

dyrewolfe wrote:Not looking good so far, (15th & 16th in FP1) but its early days at the moment.

Button complaining about the balance of the car with the new front wing.

Other than that, it seems pretty much business as usual.

Button seventh fastest in second practice session of the day.

@andrewbensonf1
Race picture pretty clear for once. Averages medium tyre: ROS 1:31.582; HAM 31.652; VET 32.529; RAI 32.639; MAS 32.746; BOT 33.397

Looks like a pretty decent cushion for a Merc 1-2 this weekend.

LiamB wrote:@andrewbensonf1
Race picture pretty clear for once. Averages medium tyre: ROS 1:31.582; HAM 31.652; VET 32.529; RAI 32.639; MAS 32.746; BOT 33.397

Looks like a pretty decent cushion for a Merc 1-2 this weekend.

Not really a surprise is it? Mercedes have a better aero packet, and Barcelona favours aero.

Rosberg pole, Hamilton 2nd, Vettel 3rd

Another poor quali from Kimi, looks or is rumoured to be replaced by Bottas at Ferrari. Good job from Toro Rosso.

Interesting quali session.

Rosberg looking like he's rediscovered his qualifying form from last season. The big question will be whether he can nail his start tomorrow and keep Hamilton behind him into the first corner.

Hoping there will be a huge scrap between these two.

Good work from Vettel and Bottas to get Ferrari and Williams on the 2nd row.

Fantastic efforts from Verstappen & Sainz to get Toro Rosso locking out the 3rd row.


Nod to McLaren too for getting both cars into Q2. They were probably hoping for better, but its a step in the right direction. Really liking their new paint job too!

Wow very surprised with Nico Rosberg's showing in qualifying. Did two laps in Q3 that would've secured pole, so it wasn't a fluke.

Can he win the race? I'm unsure.

Good showing from Sebastian Vettel after a poor race in Bahrain.

Carlos Sainz Jr and Max Verstappen will be stars for years to come.

The FIA has sent Formula 1 teams a new technical directive clamping down on fuel pressure and fuel-flow rates.

AUTOSPORT revealed at the Australian Grand Prix the FIA had issued a directive allowing it to measure fuel pressure throughout each car's fuel system.

The location of the previous fuel-flow sensor made it possible in theory to accumulate fuel between the sensor and the fuel injectors.

That fuel could then be pumped into the engine at a greater pressure and/or fuel-flow rate, which is limited to 100kg/h, to boost engine power beyond what is permitted by the regulations.

On Saturday, the FIA sent teams a further directive - which has been seen by AUTOSPORT - to clarify what they are allowed to do.

It specified that fuel pressure in the high and low pressure systems must "remain constant above a flow rate of 90kg/hr", meaning it must stay in the 90-100kg/hr rate at all times.

The governing body added that it does not "consider it necessary to define here what we consider constant" but will instead speak to the relevant teams should an issue arise.

The FIA plans to carry out physical inspections of all fuel systems to ensure they comply with the regulations.

I am hoping McLaren can get their first points of the season today. Up front we shall see what Nico is made of today.

Lewis has a bad start, Nico should coast & control this now. Never been a fan of this track, just awful. Alonso currently in 12th

Nico in pretty much control now of this race. Hamilton will have to three stop, just to beat Vettel. All these overtakes are so unskilled using this DRS.

Absolute bore this, race was over as soon as Hamilton lost second.

McLaren not looking great, Alonso retired with brake issues & nearly took out the jack man, in what was probably the highlight of the race.

Good win for Rosberg, was always damage limitation for Hamilton. Vettel comes home in third.

Always found this section of the season thoroughly boring with Monaco to come.

Rosberg needed that win badly to show he isn't going away. I still think it will prove immaterial at the end of the season though. Not a very rivetting race I am afraid.

Well, a pretty boring race but at least Nico's win keeps the title race interesting.

Surprised at how generally dull the race was and how little wheel to wheel racing there was.

Grosjean goes one better than Alonso and actually does take out his front jack man. Glad to see he was able to laugh about it later - despite the ice pack on his groin.

Results-wise, top 4 finished as they qualified...no surprises. Spirited effort from Kimi to nick 4th place off Bottas but his Ferrari just didn't seem to have the grip or grunt.

Both Kimi and Massa still in the shadow of their team mates and need to figure out how to get more out of their cars.

Lotus, Toro Rosso and Red Bull making up the minor points placings.

With Monaco up next I might just take a short break from F1.

True pace is shown for the first time this season as we had no Hamilton backing Rosberg into the Ferraris or the latter just being rubbish and the Mercs are miles in front. Shame really as I thought this season would be more competitive but apparently not.

Good win for Rosberg though. Problem is he's not consistent enough and he only wins when Hamilton mucks up.

Ferrari's strategy was strange but I guess you could say that in hindsight very easily. It went well in Malaysia (?) and Bahrain so can't be right all the time.

Another solid result for Bottas beating the useless qualifier Kimi. I think this might end up being battle of the season.

Toro Roso recovered well from the start of the race were it looked like they had their setup completely wrong.

Quiet but effective races for RB and Gros, Maldonado not so much (as if!). But how embarrassing for McLaren Honda that they were outpaced so easily by a Lotus with a broken rear wing. They can release all the positive soundbites they like, but this season is a write-off competitively.

Probably a big win for Rosberg mentally. Elbows out at Monaco again?

Not a fan of these passive aggressive tantrums from Hamilton whenever he has a bad session.

Ferrari equal to Mercedes in high speed corners bodes well, Merc have much better mechanical grip and traction, which suggests Monaco, Canada and Austria will see them establish a big lead.

GSC wrote:Not a fan of these passive aggressive tantrums from Hamilton whenever he has a bad session.

Let me guess, you've switched over or put the mute button on during the first four races, whereby every post race, we've had to endure the moaning, crying tantrums of Nico 'face like a smacked arse' Rosberg. Tell it how it is, not a bias view please.

Really not a bias view? Yet you just called Nico a crybaby yet will happily overlook Lewis complaining like a little lady despite being told he had no chance which was fairly obvious considering wasn't taking enough time out of Nico & complained 90% of the time he was sat behind Seb.

All of the drivers whinge though. Even the very best have been caught on the radios having a gurn. Schumi did it, Vettel did it, Alonso did it, Hamilton did it and will do it again. No big surprise but it is a surprise thar someone should want to try to make something of it.

I think I've been accused of bias against just about every sportsman/woman/team on this site. Except Forest I guess. But we're mediocre.

CaledonianCraig wrote:All of the drivers whinge though. Even the very best have been caught on the radios having a gurn. Schumi did it, Vettel did it, Alonso did it, Hamilton did it and will do it again. No big surprise but it is a surprise thar someone should want to try to make something of it.

Of course everyone whinges, I just find it funny calling someone Bias for complaining about it then doing the exact same thing

I think United fans are in the lead for complaints though.

In other news Alonsos brakes failed because he threw his visor tear off into a brake duct

Fernando wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:All of the drivers whinge though. Even the very best have been caught on the radios having a gurn. Schumi did it, Vettel did it, Alonso did it, Hamilton did it and will do it again. No big surprise but it is a surprise thar someone should want to try to make something of it.

Of course everyone whinges, I just find it funny calling someone Bias for complaining about it then doing the exact same thing

Yes of course but look at the post concerned and it only contains Hamilton tantrums so perhaps the poster believed it was GSC 's perception that only Hamilton has tantrums. As I said all drivers have tantrums, whinges, hissy fits or whatever you want to call them. Heck did you hear the mechanic on the radio to Grosjean shouting at him to turn engine settings down or he'd blow up the engine. Even mechanics are having them.

Exactly, it's a bias post, when only directing at Hamilton & not posting the actions of Rosberg previously, who's had tantrums at every race this season. Also, Hamilton has no idea if he could physically catch Rosberg during the race & the what the gaps were. He was only asking a question, 'is it possible to catch', it wasn't crying at all. He's a racer & wants to race & win, not happy to settle for second, that's what differentiates champions from the rest. Enbarrassing to state someone is having a hissy fit for trying to win.

LiamB wrote:Exactly, it's a bias post, when only directing at Hamilton & not posting the actions of Rosberg previously.

That's probably because its the Spanish GP thread fella. If you want my thoughts on Rosberg, I believe they're in the Chinese GP thread. And as Nando said, if you're going to accuse someone of bias, its somewhat counterproductive to immediately attack their closest rival in the same post.

And fyi, I usually don't care about the radio messages. Its more the making sure it wont happen again comment post race. No need to air that in public.

These hissy fits/tantrums/moans always carry on though with all drivers. Heck Seb and Mark's war of words took place on the radio and post-race, Hamilton and Rosberg-likewise and Schumi was known to grab drivers by the throat in their pits. And who can forget that classic punch up between two drivers on track after a coming together.

Webber very quickly found himself marginalised at Red Bull after Turkey, the #2 driver one was priceless mind. In his final season he had stopped caring.

To be honest, I'm not even trying to compare any other drivers, so not sure why teammate battles are being brought up. Its more a trend I noticed a few years back that he was often an emotional yoyo over a race weekend, something he had seemed to move back last year, when he was more consistent.

GSC wrote:Webber very quickly found himself marginalised at Red Bull after Turkey, the #2 driver one was priceless mind. In his final season he had stopped caring.

To be honest, I'm not even trying to compare any other drivers, so not sure why teammate battles are being brought up. Its more a trend I noticed a few years back that he was often an emotional yoyo over a race weekend, something he had seemed to move back last year, when he was more consistent.

Because that is what this is about - a team-mates battle. And sorry but Seb whinges as well on poor weekends - he was bitching yesterday on the radio and was sullen afterwards. It is called state of mind and Hamilton really is no different in mental make-up to any of the other F1 drivers that I have noticed. Meaning - when everything is hunky-dory then he is placid but have a bad weekend and it shows. Same with any driver.

No its because you keep bringing up Rosberg while accusing me of bias for some reason. In fact while were on the subject of bias, had the roles been reversed and Rosberg had been the one to make those comments, you'd have agreed with what I posted no doubt.

GSC wrote:No its because you keep bringing up Rosberg while accusing me of bias for some reason. In fact while were on the subject of bias, had the roles been reversed and Rosberg had been the one to make those comments, you'd have agreed with what I posted no doubt.

Sorry? Where did I accuse you of bias? I don't hold allegiances to any drivers (see recent posts on Hamilton's domination for that) and what I am saying here is that mentally Hamilton is no different to all other F1 drivers or humans for that matter. During bad times you'll snap and be terse or bitchy but when all is hunky-dory then we all feel great. Nothing new here.

If GSC had made comments about Rosberg no one would have jumped on it. Hamilton fans get far too defensive at times when there is no need. He's a yappy child when things don't go well, so do most drivers. They're spoilt and like things there own way, who knew!

liverbnz wrote:If GSC had made comments about Rosberg no one would have jumped on it. Hamilton fans get far too defensive at times when there is no need. He's a yappy child when things don't go well, so do most drivers. They're spoilt and like things there own way, who knew!

All I did was point out why LiamB may have misconstrued GSC's post. And like I said to GSC please feel free to read my recent posts on Hamilton's domination and you'll see I can take or leave Hamilton.

Why did he bother though? Why on earth would anyone get upset by calling out another person that no one on here personally knows for being a bit of a gurn?

So every time someone makes a post about 1 particular driver shall we annotate it with '*every driver moans' just in case someone gets upset? Or should we act like adults?

liverbnz wrote:Why did he bother though? Why on earth would anyone get upset by calling out another person that no one on here personally knows for being a bit of a gurn?

So every time someone makes a post about 1 particular driver shall we annotate it with '*every driver moans' just in case someone gets upset? Or should we act like adults?

You will get people like that. Forums do contain people of all creed, colours, opinions and mannerisms so it is inevitable.

Oh dear, its all getting a bit...

dyrewolfe wrote:Oh dear, its all getting a bit...

Red bull are off if they don't get Audi to be their Honda.

Bye Renault.

GSC wrote:Red bull are off if they don't get Audi to be their Honda.

Bye Renault.

I cannot see that happening. Audi joining them I mean. They steadfastedly rejected all talk of joining F1 just a week ago and said they were already too fully involved in other forms of motorsport to contemplate entering F1.

Well this weekend turned out better than Nico Rosberg could've dreamed off! Pole position and then a dominant victory, which should increase his broken confidence ahead of the Monaco GP, where he's pretty damn good.

TUESDAY TIMES:

Pos Driver Car Time Gap Laps
1 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m24.374s - 146
2 Marcus Ericsson Sauber/Ferrari 1m26.624s 2.250s 98
3 Raffaele Marciello Ferrari 1m26.648s 2.274s 125
4 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull/Renault 1m26.904s 2.530s 101
5 Pastor Maldonado Lotus/Mercedes 1m27.338s 2.964s 60
6 Nick Yelloly Force India/Mercedes 1m27.396s 3.022s 109
7 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso/Renault 1m27.639s 3.265s 131
8 Felipe Massa Williams/Mercedes 1m27.911s 3.537s 54
9 Oliver Turvey McLaren/Honda 1m28.542s 4.168s 68