2008 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix , Gran Premio de España

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Who do you think will win the Gran Premio de Espana?

Poll ended at 25 Apr 2008, 13:33

Kimi Raikkonen
42
49%
Nick Heidfeld
2
2%
Lewis Hamilton
12
14%
Robert Kubica
11
13%
Heikki Kovalainen
2
2%
Felipe Massa
14
16%
Other
3
3%
 
Total votes: 86

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phil1993
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2008 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix , Gran Premio de España

Post by phil1993 » 07 Apr 2008, 17:42

Formula 1 2008 Gran Premio de Espana - Spanish Telefónica Grand Prix

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Wikipedia wrote: The Circuit de Catalunya is a racetrack in Montmeló, to the north of Barcelona, Spain. It is home to the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix. With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Catalunya is seen as an all-rounder circuit. As such it is probably one of the sport's most important testing grounds.

The Circuit de Catalunya was built in 1991 and is often referred to as 'Barcelona' in the racing community, despite the fact that it is located in Montmeló. The Circuit de Catalunya should not be confused with the Montjuïc circuit, which hosted the Spanish Grand Prix four times between 1969 and 1975 and, unlike the Circuit de Catalunya, is actually located within the city of Barcelona. Due to the fact that so much testing is done at this circuit, Formula One drivers and mechanics are extremely familiar with it. This has led to criticism that drivers and mechanics are too familiar with Catalunya, reducing the amount of on-track action. Overtaking can be difficult, as cars are unable to follow each other through the fast final corner due to turbulence created by the leading car. This makes it difficult for a car to get close enough to the car in front of it to attempt a pass at the first turn, which is the only obvious overtaking point on the circuit. The 2007 F1 Season saw the 1st of the 2 final sweepers replaced with a slow chicane to improve overtaking.

The wind direction at the circuit can change drastically during the day, a significant factor given the importance of aerodynamics to modern Formula One cars. It is then hard to find a good setup since cars can have massive aerodynamic drag and understeer on one part of the circuit in the morning, but suffer understeer at the same part of the circuit in the afternoon. A given tyre compound can work well when tested, but not so well a couple of months later. These changeable conditions can make for an unexpected performances from some teams during the race.

In the 1991 Spanish Grand Prix Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell went down the entire front straight side-by-side while duelling for second place, with Mansell eventually taking the position and eventually the race. In the 1994 Spanish Grand Prix Michael Schumacher managed to finish in second place despite driving over half the race with only fifth gear. Two years later, in the 1996 Spanish Grand Prix Schumacher took his first win as a member of the Ferrari team after a dominant performance during a rainstorm. In the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix Mika Häkkinen suffered a clutch failure while leading the race on the last lap, handing the win to Schumacher. At the 2006 Spanish Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso became the first Spanish Formula One driver to win at his home country's track.
Circuit de Catalunya.jpg
Circuit maps.
Catalunya animation.jpg
Animation of the circuit from the official f1 site, the other is google earth (before the chicane was built)

Catalunya Info
Race Date: 27 Apr 2008
Number of Laps: 66
Circuit Length: 4.655 km
Race Distance: 307.104 km
Lap Record: 1:22.680 - F Massa (2007)
2007 Winner: Felipe Massa (Ferrari)

The Spanish GP timetable
All times are local (Barcelona is GMT +2)

Thursday 24 April
15h00: FIA press conference

Friday 25 April
10h00 - 11h30: First free practice
14h00 - 15h30: Second free practice
16h00: FIA press conference

Saturday 26 April
11h00 - 12h00: Third free practice
14h00 - 15h00: Qualifying
15h00: FIA post qualifying press conference

Sunday 27 April
14h00 - 16h00: Spanish GP
16h00: FIA post race press conference




Q&A with you
Can Massa continue his winning ways?
Can Raikkonen keep his title lead?
Can Bmw maintain their stunning form
Can McLaren fight back?
And what of the rest: Toyota, Renault and Williams etc...
...and can Sebastian Vettel finish?

Poll runs until the friday of the race weekend

Video Topics:
http://www.f1zone.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=2539

:thumbsup:
Last edited by Zack on 25 Apr 2008, 13:54, edited 8 times in total.
Reason: Major Rework! :p

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iceman1
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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by iceman1 » 07 Apr 2008, 18:08

sorry still 3 weeks , a bit early , i'll re-open it Next week

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by phil1993 » 12 Apr 2008, 13:40

more info and track layouts done iceman :)

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by darthfury » 12 Apr 2008, 15:35

I think its going to be a Ferrari 1-2 again :P

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by iceman1 » 12 Apr 2008, 16:07

Ferrari are saying that Malaysia and Bahrain suited them, and whether they win the title this year will depend on how they go at 'street' circuits.

BMW will be consistant and score lots of points, but it's too early for them to win the title themselves I think.

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by kimifantuga » 12 Apr 2008, 16:24

mclaren will be strong too in barcelona (very tests days in circuit)
hamilton with a lot of pressure to have a good result
ferrari will win with kimi, massa in second or third
bmw out of the podium
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GO KIMI!!! ice age will continue

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donald29
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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by donald29 » 12 Apr 2008, 17:13

Will be interesting to see who has improved most during testing.

Ferrari have Michael Schumacher at the wheel in their tests, but he will be testing 09 spec downforce + slick tires

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by Lilellatho » 12 Apr 2008, 18:04

Well, I certainly can't wait. Ferrari and Macca should be good at this track also. Don't know about BMW though. I remember that in the last wintertest there they weren't all that great. But we'll see then, I guess...
But I am mostly curious about the first updates of the cars this year.

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by iceman1 » 12 Apr 2008, 18:33

Mclaren and Ferrari have a good track record of unparalled pace of development, and that comes with a very technically strong team and years of practice

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by phil1993 » 12 Apr 2008, 18:35

Kimi won here (in mclaren) in2005, massa here last year. i reckon a ferrari 1-2, not sure which way though. i'd say 60-40 favouring massa

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by F1_STK » 12 Apr 2008, 23:21

I am really looking forward to this one..

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by Sanredrose » 13 Apr 2008, 00:09

I am counting on Lewis ... He is now running into a hot spot which Massa was before Bahrain .. But i am also keen to see the testing times before the gp ...

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by syafiqa » 13 Apr 2008, 02:52

Of course Kimi will defend his title as world champion...huhu..
Then I predict kimi will win this coming race,
It will Kimi, and kimi and Kimi again..
hehe... !yahoo:

No matter what..I only choose Kimi in winning the races..
Coz I'm his big fanz..n will always support him.. :cheezy:

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by f1freak » 13 Apr 2008, 06:46

Hi Guys,

It will be a tough fight specially between Ferrari & McLaren. We can expect some surprises from BMW. I prefer to comment more after the testing this week on the same track , then we can get a rough idea who stands where.

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Re: 2008 Gran Premio de España Telefónica

Post by phil1993 » 13 Apr 2008, 06:50

quali will have a huge influence on the race as there a few overtaking spots. if kubica can qualify ahead of the mclarens he could ruin their race strategy and maybe get another podium.

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