Mika Hakkinen: Spanish Grand Prix Preview

THE Barcelona circuit was always one which I enjoyed because it is quite technical, with long fast corners, lots of changes of direction and a pit straight which allows overtaking into the first corner.

The chicane which was introduced at the final corner in 2007 has been removed this year, so the drivers will be able to experience the circuit in the way that I did during my career.  The final two right handers before the pit straight will be quick and also critical because the speed you carry onto the straight is so important.  I think we will see quite a lot of action!

I raced in the very first Formula 1 event at this circuit, back in 1991, and during the 1990s I did thousands of laps in testing in Barcelona. It has always been great track for testing and development because it really gives teams good data regarding overall car performance.

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I won this Grand Prix for three consecutive years, from 1998 until 2000.  The first one was perfect – pole position, fastest lap and the win in 1998, a step towards my first World Championship.  The next year I was on pole position again and won, while in 2000 Michael (Schumacher) took pole position but I was able to overtake during the second pit stops.  

The last time I raced in the Spanish Grand Prix was in 2001, my final season in F1.  I should have won the race easily as I had qualified on the front row and overtook Michael during the race to open up a 40 second lead.  Then, five corners from the end of the race, the clutch exploded.  It was a massive disappointment, really hard to believe, but in Formula 1 these things happen.  The race is never won until you cross the finish line!

Sergio Perez had a difficult Monaco, crashing in the first part of qualifying, so he will be looking for a perfect weekend in Spain if he is to challenge team mate Max Verstappen for the title.   This is beginning to look very difficult, so it has never been more important for Sergio to refocus.

Max dominated in Monaco and Red Bull showed that they know how to run a controlled race strategy, even when threatened by Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin.  In Barcelona Fernando will have a huge amount of home support, and this is a race he would love to win.  

No amount of enthusiasm from the local fans is going to make the Aston Martin as competitive as a Red Bull.  However, if the Red Bulls have a bad day Fernando is ready to take the victory.

Qualifying was super competitive in Monaco with four cars covered by two tenths of a second.  I think we will see a big battle behind the Red Bulls between Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes.  Ferrari is lying 4th in the World Championship for Constructors, so they really need to put together a strong weekend for local hero Carlos Sainz and team mate Charles Leclerc.  The 2023 season has not started well for the Italian team, so we are all waiting to see some performance unlocked.

Incredibly, Mercedes is only one point behind Aston Martin in the fight for second place in the teams’ championship.  The W14 car is not totally competitive, but George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are super consistent.  In Barcelona we will really see whether Mercedes are on the right path with their latest car development.  If they have made progress I expect to see George and Lewis giving Fernando a real fight for podium places.