Formula 1 returns Europe, beginning with the Spanish Grand Prix. Brawn GP lead the way in the World Championship battle.
Spanish GP History
The Spanish Grand Prix was an early addition to the Formula 1 World Championship, first appearing in 1951 when the race was held on the demanding and dangerous Pedralbes street circuit. The race was only staged once more there, in 1954. The 1955 Le Mans tragedy highlighted the danger of spectators being allowed so close to the track.
It was not until 1968 that the Spanish Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1 calendar, this time at the new Jarama circuit near Madrid. A successful non-championship event had been held there the previous year, won by Jim Clark.
Until 1975 the race alternated between Jarama and the majestic Montjuich Park circuit. A terrible accident during the 1975 Grand Prix at Montjuich Park, which left several bystanders dead, resulted in the circuit being dropped from the World Championship.
Jarama hosted the Spanish Grand Prix until 1981, with the last race at the track being particularly memorable as Ferrari driver Gilles Villeneuve scored one of the greatest victories of his career. After a brief absence the race returned in 1986, at the new Jerez facility. Once again the Spanish Grand Prix produced a great race, with Ayrton Senna just holding off Nigel Mansell in one of the closest finishes in Formula 1 history.
Jerez only lasted as the Spanish Grand Prix until 1990, before the race moved to the impressive new Circuit de Catalunya, near Barcelona. The race has remained there ever since.
Spanish GP Statistics and Weather Forecast
Race date: Sunday, May 10th, 2009
Race distance: 66 laps
Circuit length: 2.892 miles (4.655 km)
Lap record: 1 minute, 21.670 econds (Kimi Raikkonen, 2008 - Ferrari)
Weather forecast: Sunny on Friday, cloudy on Saturday with sunny spells, overcast on Sunday with slight chance of rain.
2009 Spanish GP Form Guide
The Spanish Grand Prix is the first European round of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship. The preceding four flyaway races have produced surprising winners. New team Brawn GP have three victories, giving Jenson Button a comfortable lead in the points standings. The only other team to have won so far is Red Bull, with Sebastian Vettel taking victory in the Chinese Grand Prix.
The return to Europe means that the teams will have greater opportunity to try new developments, in a bid to close the gap to Brawn GP. Red Bull and Toyota should be strong in Spain, while McLaren have showed improved pace recently. Ferrari finally scored its first points of the season last time out in Bahrain and will be looking for another top eight finish.
At the other end of the grid BMW Sauber appear to be in crisis. Both Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica were woefully slow in Bahrain. Williams have flattered to deceive so far in 2009, with Nico Rosberg often fastest in practice but falling away during the race.
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