The Spanish Grand Prix

The Formula 1 World Championship reaches one of its historic events: The Spanish Grand Prix. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are the drivers to watch and the odds favorites to win this GP. But for some, Carlos Sainz, it can surprise them as it is his race at home.

Alpine with Novelties for the Cars

Alpine F1 announced at the Miami Grand Prix that for Barcelona, it would introduce several novelties in its single-seater to optimize it and get as close as possible to the lead.

His team manager, Otmar Szafnauer, has been more precise in detailing the first of the novelties that the French house plans to incorporate from the Spanish event to Silverstone. 

The team’s intention is not to stop evolving the car until it achieves maximum performance. 

“We are going to introduce a new rear wing in Spain. It should be more efficient than the last one we used there in February, so it should also give us a bit more performance,” he told Motorsport-Total.

This new spoiler will be installed in the cars of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon so that the same thing does not happen with the new floor of the car, which they only had for one car.

The purpose of the wing is to reduce the weight of the car.

 Alan Permane, the technical chief, said “We have achieved a bit, but there is still more to come. 

There are some good steps to come in that area. We are still a bit ahead on weight. I don’t think we’re as bad as some, but we’re not as good as others either.

 I’ve heard some cars are under or specifically at the weight limit. We’re a little over it, but we’ve steadily improved since the first race, and We are reducing it,” he said.

Lewis Hamilton and the problem with the jewels

Lewis Hamilton got an exemption to be able to compete with his jewels, but many ask that it not be so. More and more important people are joining requesting that the British driver follow the rules.

Andreas Seidl, team boss McLaren, said, “It’s a rule that has been in place for I don’t know how many years, and if you’ve worked in other categories, it’s not even discussed. 

If you don’t like to take off your jewelry or if you don’t want to put on your underpants flame retardants, you just don’t drive; it’s pretty straightforward,” he told Motorsport-Total.

Seidl even criticizes a supposed favorable treatment concerning the British. 

“It’s up to Lewis; there are fines that apply. It’s like if someone is speeding on the road, you can’t stop them from doing it, but they get fined, even if it was accidental.

 You can’t let people off the hook.” Just because they’re your friends, there has to be a rule for everyone.”

For his part, the new FIA president, Ben Sulayem, was more subtle and diplomatic in asking the Mercedes driver to change his mind.

 “I would like Lewis to be a role model, as an ambassador, to send the right message to young drivers so we can prevent a tragedy. We should use him for a good cause,” he said.

Alex Wurz, current president of the GPDA, the drivers’ association, also adds to the cause for Hamilton to stick to the rules.

 “We need to work together. It’s a rule that exists for a reason. I probably would have liked a slightly different approach to send that message.

 I don’t want to end up in something like football where there are more hands in the air and verbal abuse… work together. It’s a style I would have preferred in that case,” he said in an interview with Sky.

Carlos Sainz aspires to podium at home

The Spanish Ferrari driver wants to take at least one podium in his homeland. In an interview, the Spaniard said:

“I think that the objective this year has to be, taking advantage of the good car that Scuderia Ferrari has made, which allows us to have the chance to win in each race, win and try to fight for the championship.

 It is true that I have had two races in a row very bad because two zeros in this World Cup are going to count for a lot, but that is not going to take away the illusion of fighting to win and get that first victory that I aspire to and that I have dreamed of since I was little.

“I face the Spanish GP with great enthusiasm and a lot of love because it is always a great prize in which I have also achieved very good results in the past. 

The factor of racing ‘at home’ always helps and this year is my first great prize at ‘home’ as a Ferrari driver and with the stands full, so it will be very special, something unique that I will remember all my life. I want to enjoy it to the fullest and take advantage of it.

Who Will Win The Spanish Grand Prix 2022 F1?

The bookmakers place the pilots with the following odds:

Max Verstappen 2.00

Charles Leclerc 2.25

Carlos Sainz 12.00

Sergio Perez 17.00

Lewis Hamilton 23.00

George Russel 26.00

Lando Norris 81.00

Valtteri Bottas 81.00

Esteban Ocon 201.00

Fernando Alonso 201.00