Is Max Verstappen extending his Formula 1 lead? The Dutchman travels to the Spanish Grand Prix with a lot of confidence. A former world champion is in wait at his home game.
Max Verstappen was just 18 years and 228 days old when he won his first Formula 1 race. In 2016, the Dutchman did that on his first outing for Red Bull at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Seven years later he travels to Spain as a two-time world champion – and in the race on Sunday (3 p.m. / Sky) is once again the big favorite on the way to title number three.
Who should stop Max Verstappen at the gates of Barcelona?
It seems nobody is able to do that at the moment. The World Championship leader has already 144 points to his credit after just six races, with team-mate Sergio Perez from Mexico already 39 points behind and threatening to become an extra early on.
Verstappen won for the first time in Spain last year and broke Lewis Hamilton’s dominance. The record world champion had previously triumphed five times in a row in Catalonia. Under normal circumstances, it hardly seems possible that another team can attack the all-powerful Red Bull not far from the Mediterranean Sea.
Is it finally enough for Fernando Alonso to win his 33rd career at home?
As nice as this story would be, it is also improbable. However: The 41-year-old veteran can very well steer his Aston Martin back onto the podium. Alonso has done it five times this year – and nobody would have expected that before moving to the English to succeed Sebastian Vettel.
Tens of thousands of compatriots will celebrate the two-time world champion in his home country, where he achieved the last success of his career ten years ago in a Ferrari. “We have to keep our feet on the ground,” said Alonso modestly, avoiding challenges.
Is it enough for points for Nico Hulkenberg again?
The only German driver in the field has only made it into the top ten once this year. For seventh place in Australia, the driver from the US racing team Haas got six World Championship points, after that things didn’t go so well for the 35-year-old from the Rhineland.
15th place in Miami and 17th place in Monaco brought nothing countable and little joy. A tough task awaits again in Barcelona. Nevertheless, Hülkenberg was optimistic before the trip to Spain: “We’ll attack again.”
What characterizes the route?
Most Formula 1 drivers know hardly any circuit as well as this one. For many years it was traditionally the place for tests in the premier class of motorsport. The route has the reputation of being the benchmark for practically all World Championship races. However, it was changed before this season.
Due to the elimination of the last chicane, the lap times should be much faster for the first time, but with a length of 4.657 kilometers, the circuit is only two meters longer than before the conversion. Since 1991, Formula 1 has been racing around 30 kilometers outside of Barcelona. Incidentally, in 1992 the Olympic team time trial for cyclists also took place on the circuit in Catalonia.
When will the training, qualification and race take place and who is broadcasting?
It starts with the first free practice session on Friday at 1:30 p.m., followed by the second practice session at 5:00 p.m. On Saturday (12.30 p.m.) there is a final training session before qualifying starts at 4 p.m. The highlight of the weekend is on Sunday (3:00 p.m.) with the Grand Prix. Everything is transmitted by the pay channel Sky. According to Sky, the race can be received free of charge by everyone on “skysport.de” and via the app and the Sky Sport YouTube channel.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
