Spanish Grand Prix (2010) RESULT

The Spanish GP 2010 gets underway

The Spanish Grand Prix had the Red Bulls on the front row and Michael Schumacher well up on the third row. Was that reflected in the result?

We finally get back to the real F1 world with the first European race of the 2010/2011 season at Barcelona, a circuit that is probably better known by the drivers than any other thanks to winter testing.

Yesterday’s qualifying saw the Red Bulls dominate as they have at ever qualifying this year. Only this time it was Webber who stole pole from team mate Vettel. Did it make a difference? You bet. Mark Webber drove a flawless race in a reliable Red Bull and lead from start to finish for his first Red Bull win of the season.

Team mate Sebastian Vettel wasn’t quite so lucky. He ran shotgun to Webber until a pit-stop lost him second place to a typically bullish Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton ran a strong race but a puncture (or at least a deflation prossibly due to debris in the rim) throw him in to the tyre wall just two laps from the end.

By the time Hamilton left the track Alonso was up in to third and took Hamilton’s place to claim second place on the podium – not too bad for the home-boy. Vettel managed to nurse his ailing Red Bull (too many kerbs causing brake/hub problems) in for a third place and a double podium for Red Bull.

Beyond the podium came Michael Schumacher with his best finish of the season in fourth with a Mercedes which has now been modified and stretched – well, the wheelbase – to suit his driving style. He showed he can drive defensively by holding back Button for most of the race to leave the reigning Champ in fifth place and show that perhaps – just perhaps – his mojo is on the way back. At least he outperformed team mate Rosberg for the first time.

This result leaves both the drivers and constructors world championship table closer than ever with Button justy holding on to the drivers and McLaren to the constructors.

Off to Monaco next. If the Red Bulls blitz qualifying there as they have everywhere else they’ll have to break not to get a one-two.