Alonso wins Spanish thriller

24/06/2012

On paper, having won the last two races here and secured pole by 0.324, Sebastian Vettel appears to have this one in the bag.

That's on paper. On 2012 rubber however, well, that's another matter entirely.

While the German must be red hot favourite, the unpredictability of the current season, largely the result of Pirelli's rubber, means that anyone of a number of drivers could be standing atop the podium later this afternoon, one of the existing seven 2012 winners or an eighth, thereby extending this record breaking run.

Despite concerns over the McLaren, Lewis Hamilton did well to take second, indeed, he was looking good for pole until Vettel produced his stunner. But then Maldonado is looking good, and who would bet against either of the Lotus drivers, especially Grosjean?

Yesterday's and this morning's GP2 races were evidence, as if it were needed, that this circuit, like Monaco, has to be treated with total respect. Safety Car driver Bernd Maylander probably completed more miles than some drivers, such were the number of red-flag producing incidents. That said, this morning's was a particularly good race.

Consequently, while it is going to be worth watching Sebastian, Lewis, Pastor and all at the front on the opening lap, keep an eye on Alonso, Schumacher and Massa in the midfield and Webber back in nineteenth. Everything suggests we are going to have fun and games today, after all, look at the number of lock-ups and offs in the practice sessions right through to qualifying.

For the first time this year Force India got both of its cars into Q3 and, based on its success in Monaco, must be looking to grab some serious points today.

It is believed that most drivers will be on a two stop strategy today, however, as usual, some will probably make more and others less. One team you can always rely on to take a risk is Sauber, and surely Kamui Kobayashi is due a result today.

The look on Luca di Montezemolo's face said it all yesterday, and while his cars start from eleventh and thirteenth, as the Ferrari President pointed out the field has been incredibly close all weekend. That said, there is a difference between posting similar lap times during sessions and overtaking during a race. No doubt the Scuderia will be happy to limit the damage here.

Michael Schumacher has already admitted that his poor Q3 time was down to him, the German saying he was "too conservative". With teammate Nico Rosberg once again looking good for some decent points today, the seven-time champ must make every effort to secure a result, providing his cars allows him to do so.

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