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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 3:04 pm 
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Spanish GP Discussion ...

Circuit:
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Schedule:

Friday 11 May

Free Practice One – 1000-1130 Local (0900-1030 BST)
Free Practice Two – 1400-1530 Local (1300-1430 BST)

Saturday 12 May
Free Practice Three – 1100-1200 Local (1000-1100 BST)
Qualifying – 1400 Local (1300 BST)

Sunday 13 May
Race – 1400 Local (1300 BST)

Previous Winners:
2011 - Sebastian Vettel
2010 - Mark Webber
2009 - Jenson Button
2008 - Kimi Raikkonen
2007 - Felipe Massa
2006 - Fernando Alonso
2005 - Kimi Raikkonen
2004 - Michael Schumacher

2012 Drivers Championship positions:
Sebastian Vettel - 53
Lewis Hamilton - 49
Mark Webber - 48
Jenson Button - 43
Fernando Alonso - 43
Nico Rosberg - 35
Kimi Raikkonen - 34
Romain Grosjean - 23
Sergio Perez - 22
Paul Di Resta - 15
Bruno Senna - 14
Kamui Kobayashi - 9
Jean-Eric Vergne - 4
Pastor Maldonado - 4
Daniel Ricciardo - 2
Nico Hulkenberg - 2
Felipe Massa - 2
Michael Schumacher - 2

2012 Constructors Championship Positions:
Red Bull-Renault - 101
McLaren-Mercedes - 92
Lotus-Renault - 57
Ferrari - 45
Mercedes - 37
Sauber-Ferrari - 31
Williams-Renault - 18
Force India-Mercedes - 17
STR-Ferrari - 6

And if anyone's as bored as I was two months ago, here's an extended history of the Spanish Grand Prix ... perhaps something to come back to during the race if it's anything like many previous ...
[spoiler]The Spanish Grand Prix dates back to 1913, and has since been held intermittently at eight different circuits, five of which have hosted the race during the Formula One era, and three of those have been in or near to Barcelona – including the race’s current venue, the Circuit de Catalunya, which has hosted the event since 1991.

The first Formula One Spanish Grand Prix was held in the Catalonian capital in 1951, on the circuit of Pedralbes. Repeated in 1954, the race was dropped in 1955 in the wake of the Le Mans disaster – its wide, spectator lined streets deemed unsafe.

It would be 14 years before the Spanish Grand Prix returned to the Formula One World Championship in 1968, at Jarama near Madrid. The uninspiring landscape of Jarama was dramatically contrasted in alternation with the splendour and spectacle of the Montjuic Park circuit, again in Barcelona, which swept and undulated through the beautiful parkland of Montjuic in front of the Royal Palace.

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Despite only hosting four championship Grands Prix in alternate years from 1969 to 1975, Montjuic is revered as a classic circuit, and one which also saw its share of drama and tragedy. The 1969 race led to the banning of elevated wings, with several cars becoming airborne and out of control as the circuit crested sharply before the first hairpin bend. This section of circuit again proved dangerous in 1975, with Rolf Stommelen’s Embassy Hill Lola vaulting a safety barrier and killing five people. The race was stopped before half-distance and Formula One did not return to Montjuic.

The Spanish Grand Prix thus resided at Jarama until 1981. This final race is an all-time classic with the unwieldy turbocharged Ferrari of Gilles Villeneuve defending an unlikely lead from an ever-changing succession of better-handling cars. Villeneuve is evidently struggling in the corners from early in the race, but positions his car perfectly to defend from his various challengers, and utilises his car’s horsepower advantage to best effect to eek out a margin of safety on the circuit’s one straight. This race remains one of the closest in Formula One history, with the top five drivers covered by 1.25 seconds.

Another close finish ensued on the Spanish Grand Prix’s return to the calendar in 1986 at the newly constructed Circuito Permanente de Jerez. Nigel Mansell’s trademark pit-stop-for-fresh-tyres-before-a-late-race-charge came up just short of overcoming a 19 second deficit in 10 laps, crossing the line side-by-side with Ayrton Senna’s, the official margin of victory being 0.014s.
Jerez retained the Spanish Grand Prix until 1990 – a race won by Alain Prost, and featuring a severe practice crash for Martin Donnelly that left him severely injured. It has since hosted two further Formula One Grands Prix – the European races of 1994 and 1997, and remains one of the series main testing facilities.

The following year, in 1991, the race was moved to its current home at the Circuit de Catalunya – built to coincide with the Olympic Games of 1992. Almost certainly the most enduring racing image of the Circuit de Catalunya occurred during the opening race in 1991, with Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell running side-by-side, sparks flying from their front wings, for the majority of the kilometre long front straight. Mansell eventually took second position from Senna and went on to win the race. The Circuit de Catalunya is recognised as an extremely demanding circuit for the technical performance of a car – its high-speed, constant radius corners demanding much of the cars aerodynamics – and a strong performance here is seen as a key indicator of a car’s technical strength. This, along with the teams and drivers familiarity with the circuit through the extensive testing which takes place there, has often been cited for the frequently processional nature of subsequent races – with the high aerodynamic demands of the circuit leading to cars being unable to follow closely behind others of similar pace due to turbulent air already heavily worked over.

In 2007, modifications were made to the circuit to introduce a chicane between the final two turns, both high-speed right hand bends. The resultant chicane was intended to break this succession of high speed bends, slowing cars down and allowing them to close ranks on one another, before a slower, less aerodynamically demanding entry to the long pit straight which should be more conducive to overtaking. These modifications have not been an unequivocal success, and the circuit remains one of the most difficult on the calendar for overtaking. Such is the problem, that Sebastian Vettel’s victory in 2011 was the first in 10 years where the race was not won by the driver starting in Pole Position.

Nonetheless, the Circuit de Catalunya seems secure as the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix, continuing its succession of races to 22 years which makes it easily the most prolific and consistent host for the race.

Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver at the circuit with six victories to his name, including his dominant win in the torrential rain of the 1996 event, and a surprise, last-lap inheritance in 2001 when Mika Hakkinen’s McLaren expired – ending his streak of three consecutive wins and beginning Schumacher’s run that stretched until 2004. Eight of the current field of drivers can claim possession of the winner’s trophy.

Schumacher’s victories, coupled with two more provided by Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, make Ferrari the most winning constructor, but Renault engines have enjoyed more success – powering successful cars produced by themselves, (their erstwhile guise of) Benetton, Williams and most recently back-to-back victories for Red Bull Racing in the hands of current drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.

Previous Winners (at Circuit de Catalunya) …
2011 - Sebastian Vettel – Red Bull-Renault
2010 – Mark Webber – Red Bull-Renault
2009 – Jenson Button – Brawn-Mercedes
2008 – Kimi Riakkonen – Ferrari
2007 – Felipe Massa – Ferrari
2006 – Fernando Alonso – Renault
2005 – Kimi Raikkonen – McLaren-Mercedes
2004 – Michael Schumacher – Ferrari
2003 – Michael Schumacher – Ferrari
2002 – Michael Schumacher – Ferrari
2001 – Michael Schumacher – Ferrari
2000 – Mika Hakkinen – McLaren-Mercedes
1999 – Mika Hakkinen – McLaren-Mercedes
1998 – Mika Hakkinen – McLaren Mercedes
1997 – Jacques Villeneuve – Williams-Renault
1996 – Michael Schumacher – Ferrari
1995 – Michael Schumacher – Benetton-Renault
1994 – Damon Hill – Williams-Renault
1993 – Alain Prost – Williams-Renault
1992 – Nigel Mansell – Williams-Renault
1991 – Nigel Mansell – Williams-Renault

Previous Winners (at other circuits) …
1990 (Jerez) – Alain Prost – Ferrari
1989 (Jerez) – Ayrton Senna – McLaren-Honda
1988 (Jerez) – Alain Prost – McLaren-Honda
1987 (Jerez) – Nigel Mansell – Williams-Honda
1986 (Jerez) – Ayrton Senna – Lotus-Renault
1981 (Jarama) – Gilles Villeneuve – Ferrari
1979 (Jarama) – Patrick Depailler – Ligier-Ford
1978 (Jarama) – Mario Andretti – Lotus-Ford
1977 (Jarama) – Mario Andretti – Lotus-Ford
1976 (Jarama) – James Hunt – McLaren-Ford
1975 (Montjuic) – Jochen Mass – McLaren Ford
1974 (Jarama) – Niki Lauda – Ferrari
1973 (Montjuic) – Emmerson Fittipaldi – Lotus-Ford
1972 (Jarama) – Emmerson Fittipaldi – Lotus-Ford
1971 (Montjuic) – Jackie Stewart – Tyrell-Ford
1970 (Jarama) – Jackie Stewart – March-Ford
1969 (Montjuic) – Jackie Stewart – Matra-Ford
1968 (Jarama) – Graham Hill – Lotus-Ford
1954 (Pedralbes) – Mike Hawthorn – Ferrari
1951 (Pedralbes) – Juan-Manuel Fangio – Alfa Romeo[/spoiler]

Over to you ...


Last edited by OS on Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:08 pm 
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The writer of your little history writes Benetton wrong.
Stupid detail but it is Spain so we are not getting anything better than this.

By the way, heard on the news today that Spain is officially in a recession. Time to ditch at least the Valencia GP. Now, if it is still possible.


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:13 pm 
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I can't wait for this GP. We may have a typical boring race. But after such an alternation on top positions, Barcelona is a good chance to know what cars are better so that we can accurate our expectations for the championship.


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:50 pm 
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Over the past few years we've always had reasons to believe the next Spanish GP would be better. It never is. The last couple of races have been very good, but unless it rains or something unexpected happens, this year will suck like always


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:03 pm 
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This will be a crucial GP for the battle of the viewers between Sky and BBC as they will be broadcasting the race live at the same time in the UK.


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:13 pm 
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There isn't really a 'battle' as such, Sky was battered in China and they'll be battered here, even more so if the reaction to yesterday's broadcast is anything to go by.

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Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:19 pm 
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Fer-Nan-Do. Fer-Nan-Do.

Will finish 9th. Another win for Seb probably.

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:25 pm 
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phil1993 wrote:
Fer-Nan-Do. Fer-Nan-Do.


:?


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:27 pm 
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Omega wrote:
Over the past few years we've always had reasons to believe the next Spanish GP would be better. It never is. The last couple of races have been very good, but unless it rains or something unexpected happens, this year will suck like always


I think the races at Barcelona have become better over the last years. Still not the best races a season has to offer but certainly not the worst.
I like the circuit although the horrible new chicane ruins the flow of it.


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:32 pm 
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Artur Craft wrote:
phil1993 wrote:
Fer-Nan-Do. Fer-Nan-Do.


:?


The chant of the crowd, if you listen.

Oh, and yes, GET RID OF THAT FUCKING CHICANE.

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:52 pm 
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There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright.


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:12 pm 
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This year will be the 3rd time I will attend this GP. Atmosphere and fans are much better in comparison to Belgium and Melbourne (as the F1 races I attended before). It's one big party and indeed everybody is shouting ALONSO... and cheering even harder for De La Rosa :lol:


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:36 pm 
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It's a great track to drive in games (barring the last chicane), just a shame it tends to lack on track action apart from Kovalainen doing a disappearing act under the tyres or Hamilton doing his best impression of it.


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:51 pm 
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Benetton now spelled correctly ... even Microsoft Word could have helped me get that right. Word.


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:40 am 
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:31 am 
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Isn't there the mid season test coming up here shortly?


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:10 pm 
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Mugello next week, don't know the precise dates ... I think that's the reason for the three week gap.

I think this race, with the nature of the circuit and its tendency towards dull races, may give us a clearer picture of pace than we've been able to glean so far ... but I actually hope it doesn't, or at least that an element of randomness can remain thereafter because it's more fun not knowing who's going to be quickest on Saturday and Sunday, and whether it will be one, the other, or both. Makes the GP Predictor a bit of awkward, but better that than being able to stick Vettel in at 1 every week and watch the points accumulate ...


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:29 pm 
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Mugello test 1-3 may.


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:05 pm 
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I would prefer to have Grand Prix just every two weeks, to get into some sort of 'rythm'... now it is back to back, three weeks in between, etc etc.


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PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:41 pm 
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aerogi wrote:
I would prefer to have Grand Prix just every two weeks, to get into some sort of 'rythm'... now it is back to back, three weeks in between, etc etc.


yeah, I also like them at a regular interval of 1 every 2 weeks. In August there is no race at all. Makes no sense, it's the summer so have some races because people have time to visit them during their vacations.


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