Ferrari desperate to regain pre-season form on the same track

This weekend the F1 circus returns to the track that provides the teams with more mileage than any other.

It’s the SpanT his weekend the F1 circus returns to the track that provides the teams with more mileage than any other.

It’s the Spanish Grand Prix at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, the home of pre-season testing and almost a home track for all drivers. Last year it provided the first of four one-two finishes for the Mercedes Petronas team.

According to this year’s formbook, Sunday could see a repeat result for the Silver Arrows. One has to hope that Ferrari will get their act together this weekend and produce the performance they showed during the Barcelona pre-season testing, when they appeared to be the team to beat.

I am surprised at the huge media speculation concerning the pairing of Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc.

Many question the logic of pressurising Vettel with a young driver keen to prove his ability. I am not too sure about that as we have seen many similar combinations over the years. One that springs to mind is Vettel himself, when he moved from Toro Rosso to partner Mark Webber at Red Bull.

Daniel Ricciardo then replaced Webber and he was joined by a very young Max Verstappen. It has all happened before, and the resultant internal rivalry has often led to epic battles. I will be watching the progress of Red Bull this weekend.

Team principal Chris tian Horner is convinced the Milton Keynes outfit is closing the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari. Verstappen and Pierre Gasly along with their Toro Rosso teammates Daniil Kvyat and Alexander Albon will hope their Honda power units will deliver the power and demonstrate the continuing improvement in reliability shown so far this year.

We are all hoping Mercedes faces serious competition to ensure 2019 is not yet another benefit year for the Brackley-based team.