Weather, tyres and tactics, plus more than a little wheel-to-wheel scrapping, have made the F1 season an exciting and close affair thus far. So, who to look out for in Spain this weekend to keep the pulse racing?
Sebastian Vettel (GER), Red Bull Racing – 5th, 45pts
Sebastian must almost believe it’s worth starting second on the grid instead of first. With his third pole in four races in China, it’s nevertheless only in the race in Malaysia, where he took second spot, that he’s won. But with the weather and tyre choice again playing havoc with strategy in Shanghai, Vettel will perhaps have been less sorry to finish in sixth than normal, particularly after a hairy moment in the pits when he went wheel to wheel with Lewis Hamilton, who nearly ended up with the Williams pitcrew as passengers. Patience is a virtue, and if the Red Bull is quick again in Barcelona, Seb could spring right back up to the front of the title race once more.
Jenson Button (GBR), McLaren – 1st, 60pts
There’s a popular English saying, ‘O ye of little faith’, applied when someone proves their doubters wrong. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing, and perhaps even Jenson couldn’t possibly have imagined that he’d have won two races out of four so far and grabbed the early title lead. He’s in a field thick with ex-champions and in a car that’s at best only as good as the competition, and so it’s Jenson’s own tactical decisions of when to pit in changing conditions and use tyre strategy that have garnered two victories and left rivals (and his team-mate) scratching their heads. Maybe he’s been fortunate, but he who dares wins, quite literally. Another win in Spain, and perhaps the talk of last year’s ‘lucky’ drivers’ title will end.
Jaime Alguersuari (SPA), Scuderia Toro Rosso – 14th, 2pts
No points last time out to add to the two he collected in Malaysia, but it was another solid drive for Jaime and another finish up in 13th. Not only is his boss Franz Tost pleased with his progress, but many other respected commentators who questioned his entry last year, including David Coulthard no less, have been happy to admit that the Spaniard is doing a pretty good job this year. Having visited Valencia already in 2009, Jaime now gets his first chance in front of the crowds from his home city of Barcelona, and he will no doubt be extremely keen to keep the run going here.
Nico Rosberg (GER), Mercedes – 2nd, 50pts
Still no win yet, but considering the Merc is hardly the class of the field, solid, consistent form (two fifth places and two thirds) has put Nico in second place ahead of some of the pre-season favourites. No past world championship has ever been won without at least a single victory, but that maiden win must surely come soon anyway. With team-mate Michael Schumacher on only 10 points from four races, Nico clearly has that monkey off his back – you’d have to ask Ross Brawn when Nico becomes the de facto number one – now he just needs to shake off Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, each one point behind him, and Vettel, a slender five adrift…
Heikki Kovalainen (FIN), Lotus – 18th, 0pts
Spare a thought for Heikki Kovalainen. Having not lived up to McLaren’s exacting requirements – with Lewis Hamilton as your team-mate, it was always going to a big ask – the Finn swallowed his pride and took a gamble with a new team to stay in F1. Good move, Heikki. He may have finished 10 laps down in Malaysia and not been classified, but he finished, and he has also completed all three other races so far, in a very respectable 15th, 13th and 14th respectively, and he looks like he’s enjoying every moment, too. If, as many hope, the new boys improve as the season progresses, as the best of the bunch so far, surely Heikki is in line for points somewhere, even if not here in Spain. And as one of the nice guys in the paddock, he’ll deserve it.
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