Spanish Grand Prix 2014
Formula One, 11 May, Circuit du Catalunya
Best Race Team Mercedes
Best Quali Team Mercedes
2 DNF's of 22 starters
Sebastian Vettel
Race Results
+/- | Pos | Driver | Team | Points | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | 1st | L. Hamilton | ![]() | 25 | |
- | 2nd | N. Rosberg | ![]() | 18 | |
- | 3rd | D. Ricciardo | ![]() | 15 | |
11 | 4th | S. Vettel | ![]() | 12 () | |
1 | 5th | V. Bottas | ![]() | 10 | |
1 | 6th | F. Alonso | ![]() | 8 | |
1 | 7th | K. Räikkönen | ![]() | 6 | |
3 | 8th | R. Grosjean | ![]() | 4 | |
2 | 9th | S. Perez | ![]() | 2 | |
- | 10th | N. Hulkenberg | ![]() | 1 | |
3 | 11th | J. Button | ![]() | ||
2 | 12th | K. Magnussen | ![]() | ||
4 | 13th | F. Massa | ![]() | ||
2 | 14th | D. Kvyat | ![]() | ||
7 | 15th | P. Maldonado | ![]() | ||
3 | 16th | E. Gutiérrez | ![]() | ||
1 | 17th | A. Sutil | ![]() | ||
- | 18th | J. Bianchi | ![]() | ||
2 | 19th | M. Chilton | ![]() | ||
1 | 20th | M. Ericsson | ![]() | ||
1 | DNF | K. Kobayashi | ![]() | Brake Failure | |
1 | DNF | J. Vergne | ![]() |
* indicates fastest lap
Qualifying - The Grid
Spanish GP – Post-Race Report
The race lined up with some promising battles set to kick off from the start. The Ferrari’s of Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen lineup alongside each other on the grid with both drivers still vying for first driver status. The Mercedes took their now standard role at the front of the grid with clear determination from Nico Rosberg that he wished to beat team-mate Lewis Hamilton at every opportunity.
The race got under way without incident, a clear first few corners with only minor contact between Pastor Maldonado’s Lotus and the Caterham of Kamui Kobayashi. As teams settled into their holding positions for the first third of the race their was very little change of position.
The Mercedes once again stamped their authority as both drivers pulled clearly ahead of the rest of the field. Sebastian Vettel had technical issues in practice and qualifying starting him in 15th on the grid. Once again defying the doubters, Vettel pushed hard throughout the race hunting down the rapid Williams, Force Indias and the Mercedes.
In the closing stages as the strategies came to a head much of the field was left without a fight, however the Ferrari’s and Mercedes both found themselves in a tense inter-team fight towards the end of the race. Fernando Alonso – spurred on by the home crowd – managed to push hard to hunt down Raikkonen eventually passing him into the first corner.
Mercedes held true to their word in allowing their drivers to race, unfortunately for Nico Rosberg the race was just a lap or two too short. Lewis Hamilton held position and captured his fourth race win in a row.
Spanish Grand Prix – Pre-Race Report
The first European round of the 2014 season will bring a variety of plot twists and changes as teams get their first opportunity to heavily upgrade their cars after a long fly-away start to the season. Mercedes have been dominant so far in 2014 but three heavyweight development teams of McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari are close behind.
Red Bull have had the second quickest car this year but bad luck has stopped them capitalising on the early season, can they make it back up to the front once more and hold onto those vital championship points? Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso has to be a sure-fire favourite for a podium, spurred on by past successes and a truly devoted following, Alonso is well known to charge through the field regardless of what goes against him.
Lap Guide