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Catalunya

The Formula One teams are no strangers to Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya; not only have they raced there every year since 1991, they also conduct extensive testing at the venue.

Familiarity does not, however, lessen the challenge for car or driver. Barcelona's mix of high and low-speed corners, plus its abrasive and rather bumpy track surface, makes for a physically and mechanically taxing race. Tyre wear is particularly high and the varying winds that cut across the circuit mean an optimum set-up can be hard to find.

For spectators Elf corner is among the best places to watch, as it is one of the track's few overtaking opportunities. For the drivers it is the final two turns, known collectively as New Holland, which provide one of the biggest challenges of the season. A fast exit is essential in order to maximise speed down the start-finish straight into Elf.

2003 marked the 13th time Barcelona has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix. Michael Schumacher has been the most successful driver at the circuit, with a total of five victories, while Jacques Villeneuve is the only other current driver to have won there, back in 1997.

Circuit de Catalunya
Real Automobil Club de Catalunya
AP de Correus 27
08160 Montmelo
Barcelona, Spain

Should be an interesting race, most of the teams if not all of the teams are bringing updates to their cars so it should be interesting to see who has made the biggest step.

I'm predicting a strong weekend from BMW, so I'm gonna say Kubica will win, Kimi second & Massa third :).

Yeah, I wana see how the new Renualt goes...but I'm guessing it'll be our usual suspects contending for the win, i.e. Ferrari! Who knows what BMW have got up their sleve, and I wonder if Mc-Merc can recover...!

I'm hoping that Ferrari can repeat their performance in Bahrain, except with Kimi in front....I think that BMW will have another good weekend (Maybe a podium spot for Kubi...)
I really want Super Aguri and Force India to succeed, as well as Rubinho and Jenson. I would love it if Alonso, Hamilton, and Bourdais retired (perhaps all in one big crash)
:D
It should be an interesting race...

Think this race will have a lot to say about the form of the teams for the rest of the season as this is where the teams all test out new things and try and gain as much as possible to better their performance.

I can see the red cars dominating the weekend, with the BMW's and McLarens fighting out behind them.

Hopefully Hammy will have a better weekend and get his championship campaign back on the right track. Also hope Massa can continue his form in Spain.

One team i will be watching is Honda, they claim to have made good progress and i will be eager to see how they do, hope Button can get some points.

Really hope Super Aguri are there and find a backer to take them on, it will be such a massive shame if we lost them, they are one of my favourite teams, they are so plucky! Always aiming to punch above their weight. Ill always remember Davidson dragging his car up to 10th on the grid in Turkey, that was one of the best moments of 2007 so i hope they stay with us for much longer.

Renault will be interesting to watch, they are now sporting their new "shark fin" rear engine cover and they say they have improved (like every team does!) but will they be able to make sufficient steps forward? I am a bit puzzled by their form (or lack thereof) this season, they spent lots of time last season focusing on their 2008 car, yet as far as i can tell they are even further behind than they were last year. We were all talking about weather they would be challenging for podiums and maybe the odd win, but they have fallen further back into the midfield and dont seem to be going forward towards the top 2 (or 3) teams. Im not all that bothered, never much liked Renault, Briattore or Alonso, so seeing them not doing so well doesnt exactly break my heart, but it would be nice to see more cars challenging for podiums.

My quali prediction:
1. Kimi
2. Massa
3. Hammy
4. Kubika
5. Kovy
6. Rosberg
7. Heidfeld
8. Trulli
9. Alonso
10. Button

Haha, lets see how close i get!!

The turnout of events can only be bad because I like McLaren and BMW but dislike Ferrari!

Well lets see, its still pretty hard to predict just what will happen. But i'll give it a guess and say

1. Massa
2. Kovy
3. Kimi
4.Kubica
5. Hamiliton
6. Heidfeld
7.Truili
8. Rosberg
9. Alonso
10. Glock

but Massa for another win in my opinion

The turnout of events can only be bad because I like McLaren and BMW but dislike Ferrari!


Well, at least there's one Maclaren fan out there who's not in denial...

Modifying sonic's list, this is what I expect. Wish I had the speed channel at school and I could watch the race.


1. Kimi
2. Hamiliton
3. Massa
4. Kubica
5. Kovy

bossejoe, theres live streaming for the internet. I could show you were it is if you want.

^^ Show me. PM me.

I'm extactic!! That was just brilliant! Get in there Alonso!!! :D

^^ Im surprised Alonso's renault didnt float away considering how light on fuel he must be!!

^^ Well, we'll see tomorrow shall we? The Renault must have come on quite a bit he was in the top 5 all the way!! McLarens in 5/6 isn't good either...I guess Renault are just doing what they have to do..

^^ Well, we'll see tomorrow shall we? The Renault must have come on quite a bit he was in the top 5 all the way!! McLarens in 5/6 isn't good either...I guess Renault are just doing what they have to do..

Yes we will.

Lets look at this, Alonso and Piquet have been more or less equal all weekend. Yesterday Alonso (even on softs) couldnt beat Piquet. Alonso hasnt been much faster than piquet all day yet in the final session Alonso goes faster than Massa? Come on. Pat Symmonds said "were using a strategy" which basically means "hes light on fuel". The fact that Piquet is 10th when theyve been inseperable all weekend tells you hes light on fuel. Also, it was so obvious what they were going to do, home GP, Renault improving, they wanted to just get him on pole and give the fans something to celebrate before Kimi and Massa run off in the race. He went across the line and punched the air, it was obvious! Then to see Kimi go fastest made me smile! :D

I think tomorrow all Alonso will be doing is trying to keep Kubica and the McLarens behind him.

Pat said they were both on the same strategy...didn't he?
I'd say, he's a in a better position than Hammy right now though. Alonso was beating Piquet all through that session...

Pat said they were both on the same strategy...didn't he?
I'd say, he's a in a better position than Hammy right now though. Alonso was beating Piquet all through that session...

Nope, he said they were on very different strategies and because Alonso is more experienced they can be more agressive with him. i.e get him high up the field and hope he can keep it roughly there.

He is, the higher up you are the better chance you have of a decent position, but it all depends how fast his race pace is. If its bad then all he will manage is to try and not let cars past him. Depending on how light he is, he might opt for a 3 stop strategy, but again, it all depends what everyone else is doing. I cant really see him on the podium but you never know, theres a long way to go yet.

Those new wings on the Honda are really ugly!

Anway, I think Alonso must have been fairly light on fuel, but I dont think that alone could have got him 2nd. I'm still very pleased with the results, though its a shame Kovy and Heidfeld couldnt do a bit better.

Yeah, Alonso's a good driver, no doubt! Ahh, leave Dumbo alone!

BTW...kudos to ITV after their non-Hammy coverage today..it was much better than usual with nearly equal coverage to every team...

Those new wings on the Honda are really ugly!

Anway, I think Alonso must have been fairly light on fuel, but I dont think that alone could have got him 2nd. I'm still very pleased with the results, though its a shame Kovy and Heidfeld couldnt do a bit better.
If it works for their team then, who cares! lol

^^ Me!
It distracts me from watching the race!!

Takes the prize for "worst looking aerodynamic addition" 2008

I dont like the "shark fin" rear engine cover, but those dumbo ears are horrendous!!!

But, if it helps then thats all that matters.

what an interesting day. Real interesting.
Though serious kudos to Alonso and Renault. Just to get up their was brilliant, but to get into P2 as well. Stunning. I'm sure alonso is light on fuel, but i'm also sure that it was one of the drives of his life.
Not only that, I's say Renault have made a huge leap in performance, to point they're quite threatning looking.

But i think a few people forgot that Renault brought back a modified mass damper, so I'm sure thats been a huge help.

Not only that, Ferrari have proven yet again, they are the team to beat. I'd say Kimi was lighter today, so if Massa gets past Alonso at the start, Massa could be a real threat come pit stops.

Another strong BMW performance, beating McLaren yet again. I guess Ron was wrong then, BMW can indeed hold up such a challenge. To the extent that they're ahead of McLaren again.

Seriously, tommorrows race is going to be epic.

^^ Yup, and i cant believe im going to miss it. =[

Should be a brilliant watch. Massa should pass Alonso off the line, then him and Kimi will just walk into the distance imo. Massa may get a leap on him in the pits but if Kimi is quick tomorrow i wouldnt count on it. Kubica v Alonso will be interesting, both are brilliant drivers but id be willing to say that the BMW is a faster car all round and in my opinion it might be a case of when, rather than if Kubica passes Alonso. Then the McLarens, if they get it right one could get a podium here, Hammy has looked the faster of the 2 but i wouldnt count out Kovy. The battle between Alonso, Kubica, Hammy and Kovy will be brilliant to watch.

And just for Cheeky: http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=42416

http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=42416[/url]

Lol, to call him light-fuelled's an understatement... ...If running on fumes even counts as fuelled...! Good show for the Spaniards though.

Plus, best bit of Qualifying for me - anyone else see Nelsinho exit the pits with about 2:00 to go in Q2? Worth getting out of bed for, hero :D

Best bit for me was seeing Alonso punching the air thinking he was on pole, only for Kimi to snatch it from him!!!
Then on the radio to him after:
Engineer: "Sorry, Raikkonen just beat us at the end"
Alonso: ".............."
Hehe!

^^ He probably did that 'cos he beat Hammy...we didn't hear what Alonso said at the end anyway..they cut it off before we had a chance too. He still beat both McLarens & BMWs and a Ferrari, he must be a pretty happy chappy right now :D