F1 review: Spanish Grand Prix 2010

After all the recent globetrotting, the 2010 F1 World Championship is settling down to the European part of the season. We are in Spain and it is a Red Bull front row yet again; a Red Bull driver has been on pole in every race so far this season. Can the man who starts at the front of the grid actually go on to win the race? If so, it would be the first time this year.

Dry run
As we no doubt watch the race (at a reasonable time) from the comfort of our living rooms, looking out at an unseasonably cold, grey Sunday in May, it’s hard to believe that this is the first dry Grand Prix weekend we’ve had in 2010. Will this make for a uneventful race? There is plenty at stake, so you let’s hope not.

The first ten laps are largely forgettable with the top six cars on the grid, maintaining their places in the race. Webber leads team mate Vettel, with Lewis Hamilton in third, followed by Alonso, Button and Schumacher. With the weather not having an influence on the race, the first wave of pit stops offer up some much needed drama.

Ham sandwich
Two drivers who have bad stops are Button and Vettel, both lose ground and places in the race. Meanwhile, Hamilton takes advantage as he storms out of the pits, virtually level with Vettel, and the German has to yield and consequently veers off the track for a few seconds where he then rejoins behind the British driver. Hamilton now separates the two Red Bull drivers.

The drama continues as Button tries to recover from his poor pit stop and starts to attack Schumacher for progression in the race. This battle seems to go on forever, with the McLaren making no headway at all. The real scraps are happening at the rear of the field, where Rosberg finds himself among the stragglers.

Unlucky for some
Vettel’s unlucky race continues as he appears to have a problem and is forced to pit. To the crowd’s delight, he drops to fourth. This makes more sense when it emerges that Alonso is now up into a podium finish. Things start to look more ominous for the German as his team prepare a space for him in the garage, no doubt having a premonition about his impending retirement. It’s enough to make a driver paranoid.

Late, late drama
It’s the last lap. Suddenly something happens and it is at the front of the race! There’s a huge roar from the Spanish crowd, which can only mean one thing. Alonso is doing well. Unfortunately for Lewis Hamilton it is at his expense. The McLaren driver gets a puncture on the last lap and careers off into a tyre wall. His race is over as is his luck and the chance of a podium finish.

Webber wins
Webber cruises home after a thoroughly dominant display, from start to finish. Alonso receives bigger cheers than the winner as he sweeps to second place. Vettel creeps home in third after almost being retired by his team. With friends like these, who needs enemies? Meanwhile, Schumacher achieves his best finish of his comeback season, as he claims fourth spot. Button has to settle for fifth place, followed by Massa in sixth.

So the European season has begun albeit in a rather inauspicious manner. Not the high drama we have been used to in recent races, and apart from Hamilton’s late, late demise, it was all rather straightforward for Webber. I doubt the Australian anthem has ever sounded sweeter to him. The home crowd must also be rather happy as Alonso finishes on the podium and Alguersuari puts in a mature and impressive performance.

First timers
Whether you enjoyed the race or not, the Spanish Grand Prix will be remembered for a lot of firsts. Apart from being the first European (and completely dry) race this year, Webber became the first driver to win from start to finish, it was also his first win of the season. It was the first time Hamilton has failed to finish and Alguersuari achieved his first points. Innuendoes aside, it was a first time for the Virgin team, as both cars completed a race, which had previously evaded them.

Button may still lead the Championship, but the chasing pack are closing…fast.

Next stop. Monaco. Class and sophistication await us…

Watch the race highlights here.

Constructors’ Standings:
1 McLaren-Mercedes = 119 points
2 Ferrari = 116
3 Red Bull-Renault = 113
4 Mercedes GP = 72
5 Renault = 50
6 Force India-Mercedes = 24