Spanish Grand Prix- Talking Points

So after a frantic opening four races, Formula 1 has returned to its spiritual home as it embarks on a four-month tour of Europe (with Canada in between).

The Spanish Grand Prix has been the traditional gateway from fly-away mayhem to European tranquillity since 2007, as spring turns into summer in F1’s heartland.

Barcelona is typically the venue for the first major upgrades of the season, and will once again play host to teams desperate to eke out extra speed.

Here are the main talking points ahead of this year’s race.

Can Hamilton make it five in a row?

Top qualifiers 2015 Bahrain GP: 1. Hamilton 2. Vettel 3. Rosberg

Five pole positions in a row that is. Qualifying fastest has been the not-so-secret secret to Lewis Hamilton’s success this season. Four poles, three wins.

Nico Rosberg has proved time and time again that he can’t get past Hamilton, so if the Englishman takes pole on Saturday then you can safely assume he will claim victory the following day.

Rosberg got close in Bahrain, although the track in Sakhir is known to be amongst his favourites. In Spain he pushed Hamilton all the way last season, but he knows deep down that isn’t good enough this time around.

However, being team-mate to the most gifted driver of his generation is no easy job and there are times where Rosberg has to just admit Hamilton is on another level.

If he’s at his best in Spain, you sense there is little the German can do to stop him.

Is Raikkonen a rival to Vettel?

Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari celebrates coming second in the Bahrain Grand Prix, 2015.

Does anyone really believe that Kimi Raikkonen is allowed to beat Sebastian Vettel this season?

Ferrari has always operated with a number one and number two driver, and Vettel has hardly signed to be the latter.

But Ferrari has a problem. Raikkonen is a world champion in his own right, and is capable of beating everyone as long as his car is dialled in.

In Bahrain, man and machine worked harmoniously as he impressively fought his way through to second.

Vettel may have messed up his own race, but he wouldn’t have been able to keep Kimi behind anyway.

Raikkonen’s issue is consistency. Over the course of the season, it is likely that he will fade away and Vettel will lead Ferrari’s charge according to ‘experts’. But isn’t that insulting to a driver who has fought for numerous world titles?

Vettel, and probably Ferrari, will hope that he does fade away but don’t count on it. Raikkonen has looked every bit as fast as Vettel so far, and is not here for a pay-day.

If he continues to match him then Ferrari has a decision to make: Can Raikkonen be allowed to challenge Vettel?

Time for Red Bull to deliver

Christian Horner

The three-week break has given Red Bull the opportunity to re-assess, improve and bring updates to Barcelona.

Every other team will have done the same, but with the former champions enjoying such a large budget they will demand to improve quicker. And how they need to.

The team has been anonymous so far, as engine problems have ruined their campaign. A public fall-out with suppliers Renault and rumours of their withdrawal from the sport have not helped, and made them look like a team in crisis.

Now attention must turn back to the track, although that will put Daniil Kvyat under immediate pressure due to his poor start to the season.

Daniel Ricciardo believes Williams are out of reach for now, but they should start to reel them in quickly as the season progresses.

Pressure is on Maldonado

Pastor Maldonado

Pastor Maldonado is a grand prix winner. In Spain, three years ago, he dominated the race from start to finish to claim the chequered flag and catapult himself into F1 folkore.

How times have changed. This year, Maldonado’s target is simple. Do not crash.

The Venezuelan has taken a battering from F1 supporters due to the wealthy backing he receives from PDVSA, a Venezuelan company.

However, despite his frequent trips into barriers, gravel and other cars, he is also talented enough to be on the grid. But patience is wearing thin.

Lotus CEO Nick Carter has warned that he must improve on track if he is going to remain with the team beyond this season. Perhaps a visit down memory lane has come at the perfect time.

Pay-drivers have always been a feature in F1, especially in recent times. But none split opinion like Maldonado. A strong weekend is vital, or the pressure could become too much.

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