F1 looks forward to Barcelona
2012-05-10 09:06
GRAND PRIX SIZZLER FOR SPAIN: With four different race winners so far in 2012, rivals will be doing all they can to claim victory in Barcelona.
BARCELONA, Spain - Formula 1 veterans Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button are looking forward to this weekend's Grand Prix in Barcelona, a punishing track they know all too well.
Vettel said: "Of all the current GP tracks, Barcelona is the one that we know the most because we have done so much testing there in recent years.
"In general, a car that functions well aerodynamically in Barcelona will work everywhere - so it will be an interesting weekend," said Vettel, who goes into the first European race of the season in first place in the standings on 53 points.
'BARCELONA IS A FUNNY CIRCUIT'
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, believes there are no clear favourites for the May 13 race: "Our performance at Barcelona during winter testing looked promising, but the form of the season is still very hard to read, so it's difficult to predict who'll be at the front next weekend."
Hamilton, who almost caught up with winner Vettel during the 2011 race, is optimistic that his team can perform well over the weekend.
He said: "I think we have a comparatively stronger car this year, so I hope we can have another strong race."
Button, who is on a par with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso on 43 points in the standings after four races, says that despite everyone knowing the circuit so well, only perfectly-balanced cars have a chance to succeed in Barcelona.
Button said: "Barcelona can be a funny circuit: we all test there so regularly that every driver knows it like the back of his hand, yet it can still be an extremely tricky place to get absolutely right.
"You need to have absolutely every box ticked if you're going to win at Barcelona. It's a place that punishes poor balance like almost nowhere else - if your car is understeering around here, then you're going to really struggle," he said.
The Catalunya racing weekend begins on May 11 with the first practice session.
Stay with Wheels24 for the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
