The Official Spanish GP 2009 Thread***Spoilers***

[stifler]

So the European season starts here.

Will some of the "bigger" teams have a trick diffuser?

Will a new diffuser make all the difference?

What are your predictions for the race?

And lastly, I'll be having a Spanish ommlette. How about you?

[RichB]

Does it? When, where? I thought it was next weekend... Am I missing it already

[Bernie-the-bolt]

I think it will be the best race of the season for me....

Fly out Friday early am to watch the practice, then on to qualifying on Saturday and finally the race on Sunday....can't wait (with some beer in the evening to help pass the time )

Glad that LH is still running and looking forward to seeing a Brit win another race this season

[stifler]

Bernie-the-bolt said:

I think it will be the best race of the season for me....

Fly out Friday early am to watch the practice, then on to qualifying on Saturday and finally the race on Sunday....can't wait (with some beer in the evening to help pass the time )

Glad that LH is still running and looking forward to seeing a Brit win another race this season

You should get a PH tshirt to wear in the stands. Then work your way through the thread on the monday to see if anyone saw you.

[Bernie-the-bolt]

Probably too late for a PH T-Shirt, but a good idea. I hadn't thought about dress code , but if I wear my 'nutter' T-Shirt I should be identifiable.

I'll be in the grandstand at the end of the start/finish straight. Short bald bloke with a big white lens pointing at the cars wizzing by .





ETA - just bought a black ph t-shirt.......hope it arrives by Thursday!

Edited by Bernie-the-bolt on Monday 4th May 10:08

[Duke of Rothesay]

Big improvements to come from Renault, McLaren, Ferrari and BMW.

Can Brawn and Red Bull keep up with them?

[Holst]

Duke of Rothesay said:

Big improvements to come from Renault, McLaren, Ferrari and BMW.

Can Brawn and Red Bull keep up with them?

I thought Brawn had new parts as well?

[Duke of Rothesay]

Holst said:

Duke of Rothesay said:

Big improvements to come from Renault, McLaren, Ferrari and BMW.

Can Brawn and Red Bull keep up with them?

I thought Brawn had new parts as well?

Everyone will have new parts. It is having new parts that make a difference that matters and the big teams with their supercomputer CFD and wind tunnels are at an increasing advantage as the season progresses, unless they have made a fundemental cock up with the car design.

[Get Karter]

I will always remember Mike Gascoigne frequently promising that a new aero package was coming at the next race that was going to transform Toyota's performance.
It never did.

McLaren, on the other hand, appear to have already made improvements this season.

So, it could be interesting........

[stifler]

Duke of Rothesay said:

Holst said:

Duke of Rothesay said:

Big improvements to come from Renault, McLaren, Ferrari and BMW.

Can Brawn and Red Bull keep up with them?

I thought Brawn had new parts as well?

Everyone will have new parts. It is having new parts that make a difference that matters and the big teams with their supercomputer CFD and wind tunnels are at an increasing advantage as the season progresses, unless they have made a fundemental cock up with the car design.

Well, I reckon that BMW have cocked up their design by concentrating too much on the KERS. So they can have all the supercomputers and wind tunnels and it will be like putting glitter on st. Just a feeling that they may be the first to either rediesign this years car from the ground up, or start work on next years car now under the budget cap regs, but before the budget cap comes into play.

[Oily Nails]

Well at least figuring out what themed food to have with the race will be easier.

San Miguel and Spanish Omelet or maybe a paella



As for the race/weekend lets not forget that sometimes these new packages actual HURT perfromance...

...So I'm expecting a much tighter group up front (such as Mclaren,Brawn,Redbull and Toyota)...

...but also a number of teams going backwards, such as Williams and BMW

As for Ferrari.....I've got a sneaking suspicion that the team is under such pressure that they are gonna go ALL OUT in every way.
and in doing so will make a balls up AKA Massa's Fuel Rig Problems last season ..or self destructing engine/aero pieces....just a feeling

[Muzzlehatch]

Get Karter said:

I will always remember Mike Gascoigne frequently promising that a new aero package was coming at the next race that was going to transform Toyota's performance.
It never did.

McLaren, on the other hand, appear to have already made improvements this season.

So, it could be interesting........

McLaren not only have an improved aero for Spain, but also expect a B-spec car around Monaco time.


My pre-season prediction for Spain:
1. Hamilton
2. Raikkonen
3. Barrichello
4. Massa

Oh dear, somehow I feel my 50% hit rate might be jeopardised.

[Duke of Rothesay]

Oily Nails said:

Well at least figuring out what themed food to have with the race will be easier.

San Miguel and Spanish Omelet or maybe a paella

San Mig is gassy piss water unless it comes from the Phillipines. Try this instead, probably the best Spanish beer:

[RichB]

Muzzlehatch said:

Get Karter said:

McLaren... appear to have already made improvements this season. So, it could be interesting...

McLaren not only have an improved aero for Spain, but also expect a B-spec car around Monaco time.

My pre-season prediction for Spain:
1. Hamilton
2. Raikkonen
3. Barrichello
4. Massa

I see you've basically gone for Ferrari and Lewis in the McLaren but why have you predicted Barrichello to finish ahead of Button when he's be behind Button pretty well every race and qualification so far. Do you iknwo something we don't?

[Mr_Thyroid]

Barcelona tends to be all about the cars - more than any other track - with team mates lining up on the grid like they're heading for the ark. It's usually pretty tedious stuff.

I predict a win for red bull - it would be great if it was Webber.

The odds with one well known bookmakers are:
J Button 2/1
S Vettel 4/1
F Alonso 9/1
R Barrichello 9/1
L Hamilton 10/1
F Massa 12/1
J Trulli 12/1
K Raikkonen 12/1
M Webber 16/1
T Glock 16/1
N Rosberg 40/1
R Kubica 40/1
H Kovalainen 50/1
N Heidfeld 50/1
K Nakajima 150/1
N Piquet Jnr 200/1
S Bourdais 250/1
S Buemi 250/1
A Sutil 500/1
G Fisichella 500/1

[AlpineWhite]

I reckon Toyota may just sneak a win here. Don't know why!

[Gold]

Mr_Thyroid said:

Barcelona tends to be all about the cars - more than any other track - with team mates lining up on the grid like they're heading for the ark. It's usually pretty tedious stuff.

I predict a win for red bull - it would be great if it was Webber.

The odds with one well known bookmakers are:
J Button 2/1
S Vettel 4/1
F Alonso 9/1
R Barrichello 9/1
L Hamilton 10/1
F Massa 12/1
J Trulli 12/1
K Raikkonen 12/1
M Webber 16/1
T Glock 16/1
N Rosberg 40/1
R Kubica 40/1
H Kovalainen 50/1
N Heidfeld 50/1
K Nakajima 150/1
N Piquet Jnr 200/1
S Bourdais 250/1
S Buemi 250/1
A Sutil 500/1
G Fisichella 500/1

Humm, Webber and Glock could be potential money makers....

[SamHH]

RichB said:

I see you've basically gone for Ferrari and Lewis in the McLaren but why have you predicted Barrichello to finish ahead of Button when he's be behind Button pretty well every race and qualification so far. Do you iknwo something we don't?

Well he beat Button last year so it seems pretty reasonable to think he might have beaten him this year too.

[Duke of Rothesay]

Mr_Thyroid said:

Barcelona tends to be all about the cars - more than any other track - with team mates lining up on the grid like they're heading for the ark. It's usually pretty tedious stuff.

I predict a win for red bull - it would be great if it was Webber.

The odds with one well known bookmakers are:
J Button 2/1
S Vettel 4/1
F Alonso 9/1
R Barrichello 9/1
L Hamilton 10/1
F Massa 12/1
J Trulli 12/1
K Raikkonen 12/1
M Webber 16/1
T Glock 16/1
N Rosberg 40/1
R Kubica 40/1
H Kovalainen 50/1
N Heidfeld 50/1
K Nakajima 150/1
N Piquet Jnr 200/1
S Bourdais 250/1
S Buemi 250/1
A Sutil 500/1
G Fisichella 500/1

Kimmi looks like the best priced driver who could actually win it.

[Johnny]

Not sure about the race. But I'm thinking tapas.