After 3 weeks spring racing break that included a 4 day test we have another race weekend ahead of us. The first European race of 2008 F1 calendar - Spanish Grand Prix.

The Barcelona test last week did not reveal much about the new found strength of the F1 teams. We can expect the usual suspects to fight it out for the pole position. Depending on their fuel strategy any of the 6 Ferrari, McLaren and BMW Sauber drivers may claim the pole position. I would expect Ferrari to have the edge in the race with Massa (2007 winner) needing the race win more than Raikkonen. But anything can happen, we do have six drivers with a shot at the race win.

It will be interesting to see how the battle of the midfield shapes up. There are not that many places in Q3 left for grabs and even less that offer some points … But there are at least 10 cars aiming for them …

At this moment it is still unclear whether Super Aguri will race in Barcelona. The team will be present and even if they may not be able to take part in the race itself, I would expect them to do at least just enough to formally participate in the race. As long as they hope to survive and find new investor they would not want to forfeit their television money rights… Just a year ago at this race Takuma Sato scored first point for Super Aguri…

There are some reports that it may drizzle on Saturday and Sunday in Barcelona, that would sure bring some degree of unpredictability to the race. Other reports only forecast scattered clouds, so make your pick .

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F1Wolf

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The Bahrain Grand Prix is just around a corner and perhaps for next few days we can focus on racing instead of … well we all know whom .

The last race in Malaysia was the 10th Malaysian F1 Grand Prix, Bahrain is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. A look back to previous four races (scroll down to the bottom of this post) reveals that only Renault and Ferrari managed to win this race. It is hard to see Renault to get to the top of the podium this year. But Ferrari would be my top favourite for this race. Their performance in Malaysia suggests that Melbourne might have been just a weekend off for Ferrari. Unlikely all the rest of the field Ferrari (along with Toyota) tested in Bahrain during the winter and that should be a an advantage for them. It however remains to be seen how Felipe Massa handles the car without traction control on a dusty and sandy track … The fact that he plans to use his old engine and not to waste a new one suggests he might be again thinking about early retirement from the race (ooops, looks like am still in April 1st mood )

McLaren did not have the best of weekends in Malaysia and BMW Saubers seemed to have matched their race pace. For no particular reason I expect McLaren to be closer to Ferrari than they were 2 weeks ago but still behind them. BMW Saubers will try again to squeeze between Ferraris and McLarens. They are obviously permanently on alert to capitalize on every mistake any of the top four cars make.

The midfield will be close again but I suspect that Toyota may have another good weekend. They are the surprise package of 2008 so far and their winter tests on this track should not do them too much harm. Williams had disapointing weekend in Malaysia and blamed it on new track surface in Sepang. Well, perhaps the dessert sand will suit them better. The fight to get to Q3 should be fierce again with Red Bull, Renault, Honda and Toro Rosso all eyeing the top 10 on the starting grid.

Force India’s ambitions are smaller, for now, Q2 is their goal, yet again …Fisi has been close twice this year, perhaps it will be his lucky day. Super Aguri will again be simply happy to be there.

The rain might mix everything up though, if it ever comes. This is what weather people have to say about Bahrain this weekend:

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F1Wolf

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The F1 news sites and blogs are still full of Australian GP reviews and comments but we are only 2 days from the start of the 10th Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend. It is time for Malaysian GP preview.

The race in Melbourne was unusually hot. In Sepang the drivers can expect the race to be as hot as usual . The tropical climate also brings the high humidity and always a possibility of sudden storm. The weather forecast for Kuala Lumpur suggests that the chances of rain for the coming weekend are not exactly low

But one never knows. The chances for rain were high last year too, it actually did rain the night before the race. On Sunday it rained all around, but not a single drop felt on the race track during the race

So there are 2 possible scenarios ahead. Sunny and hot (and humid) weekend or rainy and relatively cool (and humid) weekend.

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F1Wolf

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