*******The OFFICIAL Spanish Grand Prix thread********

[QROPS]

So it's been a long three weeks wait to get to this weekends racing, what's your predictions?

Hamilton
Rosberg
Alonso/Ricciardo

[Justaredbadge]

Mercedes 1-2 and a merc engined car 3-4-5

It would be nice to see The Hulk or Bottas get a podium.

[RKi]

Merc 1/2

Red bull will get 3rd. Circuit de Catalunya rewards an aerodynamically efficent car, it's not stop/start like bahrain and has some high speed corners (turn 3 especially) which will suit RB.

[suffolk009]

Merc power all over the podium, and 4 and 5 and maybe 6.

Vettel will be out quallied and out raced by Ricci.

Kimi will be out quallied and out race by Alonso

Button will mention a lack of downforce.

Brundle will moan that Hulk hasn't got a top drive.

Massa will have a "good race".

Chilton will finish somewhere near the back.

ETA: everyone will speculate endlessly why Brawn has been spotted in Maranello.

[Sir Bagalot]

And Eddie will be back

Blush also won't be too far away

[SeeFive]

Was heading down myself on the 5:15 ferry or a road trip and a bit of the new noise first hand. Windscreen wipers packed up on the Vette today, need a new motor (drain holes blocked in scuttle and flooded the motor screwing the electrics inside the casing)

Forecast through France is rain, and same again on the way back so it's not really a goer. Not much point taking the Rav on a road trip, so maybe next year.

[DHB07]

suffolk009 said:

Merc power all over the podium, and 4 and 5 and maybe 6.

Vettel will be out quallied and out raced by Ricci.

Kimi will be out quallied and out race by Alonso

Button will mention a lack of downforce.

Brundle will moan that Hulk hasn't got a top drive.

Massa will have a "good race".

Chilton will finish somewhere near the back.

ETA: everyone will speculate endlessly why Brawn has been spotted in Maranello.

Apart from the Merc "all over and 4,5,6" bit, I think this is a perfectly accurate forecast!

[simonpeter]

Last year Seb was getting the blame for dominating the sport, this year it looks as though Lewis is odds on already. The technological domination has gone too far. I used to enjoy not knowing who was going to win before I put the TV on. Now we have to be excited by the minor placings. 1982 it ain`t.

[thepawbroon]

simonpeter said:

Last year Seb was getting the blame for dominating the sport, this year it looks as though Lewis is odds on already. The technological domination has gone too far. I used to enjoy not knowing who was going to win before I put the TV on. Now we have to be excited by the minor placings. 1982 it ain`t.

more like 1988.... not that I remember much, being 19 and mainly drunk in 1988!

[Daston]

Did I hear right that Bernie has told the teams they need to look into the engine noise? And that Spain could be the first race with what ever it is they have come up with?

If so whats your guesses?

[BritishRacinGrin]

Wasn't there a consensus among many teams that a simple exhaust tip mod could make the cars noisier? A kind of flared 'megaphone' affair?

[greygoose]

Daston said:

Did I hear right that Bernie has told the teams they need to look into the engine noise? And that Spain could be the first race with what ever it is they have come up with?

If so whats your guesses?

I hope it is the sound of ice cream van chimes just for one race.

[Silverbullet767]

greygoose said:

I hope it is the sound of ice cream van chimes just for one race.

Wouldn't work, think of all the dead marshalls running on to the track for a 99!

[LordGrover]

SeeFive said:

Was heading down myself on the 5:15 ferry or a road trip and a bit of the new noise first hand. Windscreen wipers packed up on the Vette today, need a new motor (drain holes blocked in scuttle and flooded the motor screwing the electrics inside the casing)

Forecast through France is rain, and same again on the way back so it's not really a goer. Not much point taking the Rav on a road trip, so maybe next year.

That's a pisser. Rainx no good?

[Rude-boy]

LordGrover said:

That's a pisser. Rainx no good?

TBF having done Spa to home in the Tiv with the wipers having packed up RainX can only do so much.

The speed we had to go at to ensure a clean screen is not one that one would normally consider doing other than on an Autobahn,let alone in the wet.

[rufusruffcutt]

Weather for the race weekend looks dry. Between 20 to 23 degrees C.
Only one weather website is going for light rain on Sunday morning, but then dry in the afternoon, but I wouldn't read too much into that.

[thechosenfamily]

Exhaust Megaphone idea hmmmm

Interesting option below.



May effect the aero a bit though

[Justaredbadge]

Unless they really do have the aero advantage to be able to pass cars around the.outside. Turn 3 anyone?

[thechosenfamily]

Justaredbadge said:

Unless they really do have the aero advantage to be able to pass cars around the.outside. Turn 3 anyone?

That would need to be

A: A huge aero advantage or
B: incredibly brave\stupid

IMHO

[Galileo]

I think the Renaults are going to take it to the Mercs this weekend. So I predict the top 10 will be;
Hamilton
Riciardo
Vettel
Rosberg
Alonso
Grosjean
Raikonen
Massa
Perez
Magnussen