All eyes on Alonso as Spanish GP approaches
Ferrari driver to look for 2013 repeat; Mercedes wary of supremacy threat
DOUBTFUL: Alonso may have won the race last year, but he is currently threatened by the pair of Hamilton and Rosberg, who have dominated the 2014 season so far. PHOTO: AFP
BARCELONA:
Fernando Alonso returns to race on home soil this weekend, hoping for an unlikely resurrection of the form and pace that delivered his and Ferrari's last victory.
That came a year ago in the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya, where the two-time world champion won ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, then of Lotus, and Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari.
A repeat of that result would delight not only local Spanish fans, but also deliver a Ferrari one-two as Raikkonen joined the Italian 'scuderia' this season for a second time.
It would also please Williams fans, too, as the much-improved British team is now home for the likeable Massa.
A year ago, the race may have been won by Alonso, but qualifying was dominated by the fast Mercedes pairing of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who took the front row.
Rosberg led for 10 laps, before he fell away and finished sixth behind the two Red Bulls — a scenario that is less likely this season since Mercedes have won all four of the opening 'flyaway' races ahead of this opening round of the European part of the season.
This year has seen not only Mercedes domination with Hamilton reeling off three straight wins following Rosberg's opening triumph in Australia, but also a solid consistency from Alonso in the chasing Ferrari.
It has also witnessed Red Bull sliding out of contention for victories, a scenario that may change this weekend as the Milton Keynes outfit, along with the rest, will introduce a raft of car and engine updates for what is often a dull and predictable spectacle.
Aware of this threat to their supremacy, Mercedes have also focused on improving performance.
"We're not sitting comfortably — we know we've got more work to do," said Hamilton.
"We are quicker on the straights, but the Red Bull is very, very quick though the high-speed [corners], which tells me they maybe have a little bit more down-force than us.
"Last year there was a massive gap. We've definitely closed that up, but I think we can do a better job, so we're going to keep pushing."
Fernando Alonso returns to race on home soil this weekend, hoping for an unlikely resurrection of the form and pace that delivered his and Ferrari's last victory.
That came a year ago in the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya, where the two-time world champion won ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, then of Lotus, and Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari.
A repeat of that result would delight not only local Spanish fans, but also deliver a Ferrari one-two as Raikkonen joined the Italian 'scuderia' this season for a second time.
It would also please Williams fans, too, as the much-improved British team is now home for the likeable Massa.
A year ago, the race may have been won by Alonso, but qualifying was dominated by the fast Mercedes pairing of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who took the front row.
Rosberg led for 10 laps, before he fell away and finished sixth behind the two Red Bulls — a scenario that is less likely this season since Mercedes have won all four of the opening 'flyaway' races ahead of this opening round of the European part of the season.
This year has seen not only Mercedes domination with Hamilton reeling off three straight wins following Rosberg's opening triumph in Australia, but also a solid consistency from Alonso in the chasing Ferrari.
It has also witnessed Red Bull sliding out of contention for victories, a scenario that may change this weekend as the Milton Keynes outfit, along with the rest, will introduce a raft of car and engine updates for what is often a dull and predictable spectacle.
Aware of this threat to their supremacy, Mercedes have also focused on improving performance.
"We're not sitting comfortably — we know we've got more work to do," said Hamilton.
"We are quicker on the straights, but the Red Bull is very, very quick though the high-speed [corners], which tells me they maybe have a little bit more down-force than us.
"Last year there was a massive gap. We've definitely closed that up, but I think we can do a better job, so we're going to keep pushing."