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Can Hamilton start a winning streak in Spain?

Britwatch Team
Formula 1

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By Britwatch Team

  • Nico Rosberg remains unbeaten this season and defends his title from last yer
  • Lewis Hamilton feels a little more optimistic after yet more engine woe in Russia
  • Max Verstappen comes into Red Bull for the rest of the season

BARCELONA, SPAIN – 66 Laps await the drivers and teams as the Grand Prix circuit moves to Spain at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The last nine Spanish Grand Prix have been won by nine different drivers – is this Lewis Hamilton’s chance to become the first to break the deadlock? Well of course last year’s defending champion is none other than Nico Rosberg, who has yet to be knocked off the top spot this year.

Hamilton has declared himself to still be a ‘glass half full’ guy despite a difficult start to his season. After saying he feared more engine issues, he seemed to be a little more confident ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

As reported by Formla1.com at the preview press-conference, Hamilton said:  “It’s been good to have a break after Russia. Over time you reflect on each race weekend and what you might have done differently, so you can learn from each experience and move on. I’m really proud of the guys in the garage: we’ve had a hard time but they’re doing a fantastic job and I’m really happy with how we’ve been working together.

“Every weekend, we’ve got the car into a great place setup-wise – I just haven’t been fully able to exploit it. So the glass is half full for me. It will be a big challenge but there’s a long way to go with 17 races left and, if the last four are anything to go by, there’s a lot more still to come from us.

“The team has been on it 24/7 since returning from Russia so I’m confident they’ll get to the bottom of the problems we’ve been having. I know I’m still quick. I’ve known that since day one in testing and, when I’ve had clean air and a damage-free car this season, I’ve shown it on track. I head to Spain confident of a good weekend.”

All eyes will be on Max Verstappen (and perhaps extra pairs of eyes need to be on Daniil Kvyat)! After two controversial incidents where the Russian’s aggressive manoeuvring earned him a rebuke in China by Sebastian Vettel before he clattered into the German not once, but twice in his home Grand Prix, Kvyat found himself shifted back to Toro Rosso, with Verstappen promoted to Red Bull for the rest of the season.

Kvyat was promoted out of the sister team to take the place of the departing Vettel ahead of the 2015 season, but Verstappen is highly regarded as a prime talent for the future. He is the youngest driver to compete, the youngest points-scorer and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes this could be the making of the young Dutchman.

Speaking in Formula1.com, Horner said: “Max has proven to be an outstanding young talent. His performance at Toro Rosso has been impressive so far and we are pleased to give him the opportunity to drive for Red Bull Racing,” Horner said.

“We are in the unique position to have all four drivers across Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso under long term contracts with Red Bull, so we have the flexibility to move them between the two teams.

“Dany will be able to continue his development at Toro Rosso, in a team that he is familiar with, giving him the chance to regain his form and show his potential.”

 

Finally – check out this beautifully made Circuit Guide, via Formula 1 You Tube to whet your appetite ahead of this weekend’s racing.

F1 Circuit Guide

 

The Spanish Grand Prix takes place between 13-15 May