After trips to Australia, Bahrain, China and Azerbaijan, Formula 1 kick starts its European season in Spain this weekend.
The Spanish Grand Prix has been an intriguing race in recent years. Mercedes’ first-lap clash in 2016 kicked open the door for Max Verstappen to triumph, in 2017 Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel duelled for the win, while last year qualifying was a close-run affair until the thinner gauged tyres skewered Ferrari in race trim. The outcome of pre-season testing suggested 2019 would be a close-run affair between Ferrari and Mercedes but so far, the latter’s minor pace advantage has been translated into a major points buffer, such has been the efficiency of the Silver Arrows in comparison to the limping horse. Mercedes has a strong Barcelona record – unbeaten in qualifying since 2012 and having taken four from five wins – but Formula 1 could do with Ferrari finally not only unlocking the package it believes it has, but then delivering it on Sunday. It has brought forward the introduction of its second-specification power unit, initially planned for Montreal, so could that make the difference this weekend?
Join us later in the afternoon for the latest updates and results from the Circuit de Catalunya, as the qualifying session for the 2019 Spanish Grand Prix is about to get underway, with Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc at the wheel of the SF90, ready to challenge Mercedes for pole position ahead of the race on Sunday.
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