What's at stake at Spain?

There’s a young man called Fernando Alonso hoping to take the win this weekend in front of more than 100,000 enthusiastic supporters. The Renault F1 Team is gearing up for a special weekend in Barcelona. The Grand Prix is a sell-out: every space has been sold, and the organisers are talking about 330,000 spectators over three days! Today, thousands of fans in blue and yellow have crowded round the circuit to catch a glimpse of Fernando Alonso.

So can Renault bring the victory they are all dreaming off? What’s for sure is that they can fight for it. The team’s most recent test at this track with the R26 saw some very encouraging performances. What’s more, it’s a track where Michelin are always strong: the abrasive track surface makes life tough for the tyres and they could be the key factor this weekend.

Ferrari, who had the quicker car at the Nürburgring, are optimistic. The top speeds of the 248 F1 have been among the most competitive at every track, which will be an advantage on the 1.2km main straight. But their tyre supplier has already got things wrong once this season, in Australia. And there’s no margin for error in Spain.

McLaren-Mercedes disappointed last weekend. In site of this, the management maintain they are not disappointed, and claim victory is in their reach. The Renault F1 Team certainly hasn’t written them off, and will be keeping an eye on their performance: like the other teams, McLaren-Mercedes know the track like the back of their hand.

Behind, Honda’s Nürburgring performance confirmed once again that they still need a little something more to fight at the front. The RA106 has the pace to challenge at the top in qualifying, but Button and Barrichello cannot yet fight for the win.

Once more, we go into the race weekend with many unknown factors… Between the patriotic fervour of the Spanish crowd and Ferrari’s return to form, the guaranteed winners this weekend will be Formula 1 enthusiasts – as they enjoy a unique weekend full of emotion.