Emotions, a desire to make the public thrilled. The home Grand Prix for the drivers are always special and Alonso in not an exception with eleven exciting presences and the spectacular win 2006 in front of the Spanish King Juan Carlos. Those were other times. The King called him and he told him:
"It’s Juan Carlos".
And Alonso replied, thinking it was a joke:
"Yes, and I’m Donald Duck".
But the fervour is the same and the six podium finishes (and with Ferrari two places of honour and a fifth place) will always have a special place in his heart.
"The wins in Barcelona in 2006, in Monza in 2010 and in Valencia last year are undoubtedly the races that awarded me the most wonderful emotions of my career. The passion of the audience and the feeling when we race in Spain are always special, from the moment you land at the airport and you go to the hotel to the circuit. The first laps around the track, on Friday and on Saturday morning, you immediately feel the passion of the fans on the stands, this gives you even more motivations because you want to do something more, maybe hidden in the details, that can make them happy. This is how you start looking for that tenth you’re chasing when you’re inside a Formula 1 car".
The fans, moved, thank him: they are expecting, indeed, something more from their idol. And we are sure Fernando will not disappoint them. Formula 1 has always been and still is not only an expression of a fundamental part of Ferrari’s DNA, but also a true arena for technological research, always keeping in mind the possibility of transferring ideas and solutions from the single-seaters - designed within the increasingly stringent constraints defined by regulations and tailor-made for the drivers - to the production of the most beautiful series cars in the world. Formula Ferrari is the perfect occasion to delineate three topics: the introduction of hybrid technology, the evolution of fuel consumption in the last decade, the impact of simulation on aerodynamic development. In the last two decades, aerodynamics have became the area of the car that influences the post the performance of the single-seaters, gradually leading to a departure from road cars, but, above all, to an unstoppable and unacceptable escalation of costs. Exactly with the imperative of reducing costs, numerous restrictions have been progressively introduced, from the size of the model used in the wind tunnel to the number of hours of its operation. At the same time however, the technology progress, especially in the IT sector, has allowed to develop a new study technique of aerodynamics - the computational fluid dynamics - which has allowed multiplying the possibilities to improve the understanding of the aerodynamic behaviour of a single-seater and, consequently, the possibilities to make it more efficient: in fact, to make a car faster and more successful. For an immediate comprehension of how fast the aerodynamics development can grow, we have taken in exam an element of the car - the complex front wing-nose assembly - over a four-year period in which the regulations have remained practically unchanged (2009-2012). The aerodynamic load at a constant speed (300 km/h) exerted on this component has increased by about 40%, a record. The decade marked by the transition from V10 to V8 engines was very intense for Formula 1 engine designers. The changes of the technical and sporting regulations outlined three major points: standardization of some fundamental parameters, limitation and then freezing of the development of structural elements, extension of the lifespan of each unit, which has gone from about 350 kilometres in 2002 to the current 2,500 kilometres. All this had a significant impact on fuel consumptions, lowered by 10%. A more efficient consumption also meant better performance, especially when, in 2010, refueling was banned during the race. In this area, the contribution provided by the historic supplier of Scuderia Ferrari, Shell, has been fundamental.
Shell has also made a significant contribution to the growth of the power expressed by the engine once the freeze on performance developments came into effect. Next year we will witness a significant decrease of fuel consumption because the engine projects will be based on efficiency: the introduction of a maximum fuel flow rate, the e-turbo, direct injection, and the increased power generated by KERS will be the decisive factors for the overall efficiency gain of the powertrain. In 2009, the hybrid technology had made its Formula 1 debut with the introduction of KERS, the recovery system of kinetic energy produced on the rear axle during braking, initially optional. Ferrari immediately took up the challenge, and the experience accumulated in five years of development (one less, 2010, as track usage) has proven to be very valuable, both for the technological transfer to road cars and in anticipation of the new 2014 power unit. According to the technical regulations, the maximum power available per lap is 60 kW, for an energy total of 400 kJ. The architecture of the system consisted of an electric motor connected to the internal combustion engine and equipped with an electronic control unit and a battery pack. Weight, performance repeatability, compactness of dimensions, installation inside the vehicle-along with, of course, the reliability and safety of the driver and operators-were the decisive parameters for assessing the goodness of the project, given that the performance was set by the rules. During these five years, incredible results have been achieved in terms of overall efficiency, which can be summarized in: -10% volume, -20% weight, -40% cost per unit, -90% cost per race, 100% possibility of use during qualifications and race. the introduction of the KERS has brought some collateral damage as well, such as an advanced miniaturization of electrical and electronic components, the development of advanced energy storage systems, training individuals in both technical and management aspects (safety), thereby enhancing overall company know-how. 2014 will represent a revolution for Formula 1, with the introduction of a new engine type - V6 engine with 1600 capacity @15000 maximum rpm, equipped with direct injection, e-turbo and KERS.
The hybrid element will, therefore, result in a combination of thermal energy (from the turbine) and kinetic (from a classic KERS). Moreover, the regulations require also a maximum quantity of flow rate of fuel (100kg/h) and a maximum quantity of fuel per race (100kg), with a supplementary life extension for each unit (from eight to five power units per driver for the 2014 season, which will become four from the next years). The hybrid system will consist of a kinetic energy recovery unit (MGUK) and a thermal energy recovery unit (MGUH), both connected to a battery pack on one side and the engine on the other. The maximum power usable per lap generated by the MGUK will be limited to 120 kW for a total energy of 4 MJ - double in terms of power compared to the current one, tenfold as overall energy - while the storable energy will be half; instead, the amount of exploitable energy produced by the MGUH will be unrestricted. This means that if until today the KERS has been a distinguishing factor based on its efficiency, tomorrow the system will not only need to be efficient but can also make a difference in terms of absolute performance. In terms of lap time, the gain generated by the new technology is estimated to be around three seconds, while the maximum expected power will be similar to the current one (ca. 750 HP). But going back to the present, the Spanish Grand Prix is at the door and Ferrari is looking for a comeback after the disappointment and bad luck in the latest Bahrain Grand Prix, where a DRS issue on the rear wing prevented Fernando Alonso from fighting for the win. In Maranello, they are aware of having designed a car capable of fighting for the championship, but due to mistakes and adverse circumstances, the Spanish driver's gap from the championship leader Sebastian Vettel is already 30 points. That's why President Luca Montezemolo has sounded the charge:
"We have gathered less than what we could have gathered. Now, it's time to win. We have a competitive car and two very strong drivers. I won't say more, but I have a lot of confidence".
Montezemolo points out:
"In the first four races we have missed some opportunities, some incredible, because having two punctures in the same race is an historic record, but we know we have a competitive car. We are happy with Massa back in fantastic shape, and with Alonso, who in my opinion, especially in the race, is the best driver in the world. Now, it’s time to win".
Montezemolo then said he recently talked with Alonso in view of the Barcellona Grand Prix next Sunday:
"I told him not to get too emotional because in Spain there’s always a lot of pressure on him".
During the press conference at the end of Formula Ferrari, mediatic event organized by the team from Maranello with more than 250 journalists from around the world, Montezemolo denies the rumours suggesting that Ferrari is interested in James Allison, the technical director recently let go by Lotus:
"I am not aware of it. I deny this rumour".
As we said, the Spanish Grand Prix is the home race for Fernando Alonso. But the Ferrari driver does not feel under pressure for racing in front of his audience, he even considers it another reason to give it all.
"Racing at home gives another motivation. It makes you give that 10% more compared to what you give for the rest of the weekend, starting with the free practice sessions, the qualifying and the race. I’m not worried like the first years when you had to show off. There is no such pressure that can prevent you from doing great and make everyone happy on Sunday afternoon".
Another time, the tyres’ role will be decisive:
"This year as well the race pace will be important. The tyres will be a crucial element and, more than in previous years, it will be important to start on the front row because that way we will have a better chance of reaching the podium, and you can see it for yourself if you start on the front row".
And regarding the new Hard tyres brought by Pirelli, the Spaniard adds:
"We will put those tyres on the cars tomorrow during the free practice sessions and try to gather as much information as possible. After next Sunday's race, we will know more: whether these will be the tires we will use more in the upcoming races. However, I don't think they will have a significant impact; I don't know if one team will benefit more than another. We need to collect as much information as possible tomorrow".
Last year, at the same time in the season, Alonso had a 10 points gap to the Championship leader, against the current 30 points that separate him from the three-times world champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull). But the Spaniard shows optimism:
"Last year we were 1 second, 1.5 seconds behind the fastest cars and in Malesia we won out of pure luck. This year instead, in the two races where we encountered problems, we finished second in Australia and won in China. This is because the package is different: there is optimism and confidence in being able to win the championship. We need to meet expectations and bring home good points in the upcoming races. We are a few points behind, but the championship is long".
Alonso remembers examples of winning recovers:
"The most recent one is Sebastian's recovery last year, when he had a 63 points gap: in 4/5 races you can regain 45/50 points. This it happened to me in 2006, when I was ahead of Michael Schumacher and he was ahead in Suzuka with two races left".
Alonso is convinced and confident with his chances and he is not afraid to be a favourite for the win in Spain:
"Maybe it’s the first time we come here with a competitive car, but this doesn’t mean we will fight for the first positions if we don’t put everything together the right way, same things goes for the other teams, they will also bring some updates. In the first four races we’ve been competitive and we’ve had the chance to fight for the win, when we didn’t encounter issues. If this is not possible, we will do everything to reach as high as possible, but we will not do it with a defensive mindset like in the previous three years".
Meanwhile Sebastian Vettel, on the eve of the Spanish Grand Prix, he denies rumours of possible discontent within Red Bull regarding the behaviour of the RB9. Also, regarding the new Hard tires brought for the occasion by Pirelli, the three-time world champion denies that they were developed in response to complaints from the Anglo-Austrian team.
"If we look at the results obtained in the first four races we are happy with of competitiveness, we are happy with the car which is good enough to fight for the podium. We can be happy with our third place in Australia and our fourth place in China, if we don’t look just at the results, it’s because we see a margin of improvement and that is our goal. I don’t know if we asked for changes, but I know there is a lot of pressure form outside. We talked about what we felt as a team, as drivers, just like everyone else did. Sometimes you manage to handle them well, other times not. However, I don't expect a miracle. We will have to work a lot with the tires both in qualifying and in the race, and we will know much more about them on Sunday afternoon".
Big trouble - and a lot of nervousness - for Fernando Alonso on the eve of the Spanish Grand Prix: the Spanish driver is reported by a photographer for personal assault. The incident, according to Yordi Martin, the name of the photographer, occurs in the afternoon of Thursday, May 9, 2013, outside the hotel where Fernando Alonso is staying. Martin had positioned himself to capture the champion - hometown hero in Barcelona - as he exited with his new girlfriend, Dasha Kaputsina. At that moment, and in the presence of some witnesses, Alonso assaulted the photographer, pushing him:
"He broke a 6.000 euros camera".
Right after the events, Martin turns to law enforcement to file a formal complaint. Then, he tells the story on Twitter. It’s not the first time Fernando Alonso has had impulsive reactions towards the press - especially Spanish - according to him, too much interested in his private life. In 2012, he practically boycotted a promotional initiative by Marlboro, refusing to respond to journalists guilty of excessive gossip. In the following months, he also clashed personally with some reporters from the Iberian press. However, physical altercations or formal complaints had never occurred. One of the tweets in which the photographer recounts his adventure says:
"You should know who Fernando Alonso really is: last summer he tried to hit with his car one of my colleagues, and now he assaulted me outside the hotel".
And in another tweet, talking directly to the Spanish driver, he says:
"Prepare an excuse for tomorrow when the police call you. Let's see if, with this complaint, he learns to respect the press more next time. He knows perfectly well that he didn't receive any provocation".
Anyway, on Friday, May 10, 2013, the engines fire up on the Montmelò circuit for the first practice session of the highly anticipated Spanish Grand Prix. Highly anticipated because here, we will truly begin to see the real contenders. Also, there are many novelties, both in terms of the cars and the crucial tires.
Let’s start with Ferrari: the F138 that will be presented at Montmelò will almost be a totally different car, with major changes at the floor, the body and the wings. But the team from Maranello will not be the only one. Nikolas Tombazis, Chief Designer for Scuderia Ferrari, explains:
"I think that the other competitors too will arrive in Barcellona with a high number of technical upgrades since the calendar has allowed teams to work relatively calmly after the Bahrain Grand Prix".
That calm that had been missing for a while and has allowed engineers to work, unleashing themselves with modifications. It remains to be seen which changes will prove to be the best and which ones to discard, especially because in the meantime, Pirelli has once again shuffled the deck, as in Spain, they will bring the P Zero Orange Hard and P Zero White Medium tyres. The hard tyre, however, has been modified to allow various and more opened strategies. (the other tyres will remain unvaried). A great rebus. But we also have good news: for the free practice sessions, the drivers will have an extra set of prototype hard tyres at their disposal. This decision has been made to encourage teams to complete the entire practice sessions and not choose to stay in the box to save tyres for the race. Pirelli explains:
"The extra set of tyres at the disposal of the teams will not be the same as the ones used for the qualifying session and in the race: we’re talking about a set specifically created, which emphasizes durability to allow teams to run as long as possible. To distinguish them from regular hard tires, these tires will have no markings on the sidewall".
In reality, the new hard tyres should be easier to use because it has a broader operating window in terms of temperature - although it provides less aggressive performance - and should allow teams to anticipate a wider variety of race strategies than before, especially when combined with the other tire compounds. We’ll see. Surely, the first European race of the season will have many surprises.
Words, but also facts. Thurdays are usually boring, if not soporific, in this strange sport called Formula 1. And yet, this cloudy Thursday in Barcellona immediately heats up, and perhaps even too much. The Spanish stop is one of the most important of the season, the one where - returning to Europe after the debut in Asia - the cars play their technical upgrade cards and show everyone their true potential. In an atmosphere of substantial and indecipherable technical balance, the drivers find themselves holding their breath, trying to guess, among the shadows of semi-closed garages, threatening wing profiles, and formidable outlines of ailerons. Adrenaline is everywhere. Especially on Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard, ‘till this day, has been undoubtedly the unluckiest: finally, the team from Maranello has put at his disposal a car worthy of his talent (and the prestige of Ferrari), and yet, after four races, he finds himself chasing from a distance the usual Vettel on the familiar Red Bull. Like any other year. This explains the unusually blunt clarity with which, during the customary FIA press conference, the young man explains his (philosophical) race strategy:
"We are going to approach this weekend with a less defensive mentality compared to my frist years in Ferrari".
As if to say: from now on, no defense (an art to which Alonso the Samurai had professed himself culturally unsuited on several occasions but had nevertheless been forced by circumstances to practice), but only healthy, pure, competitive aggressiveness. Moreover, the F138 allows it, indeed, suggests it:
"This is probably the first time we’re coming to a Grand Prix with a competitive car, and even if this doesn’t necessarily mean we will fight for the win, we will definitely try to finish in the highest position possible".
To do so, the Spaniard uses – as usual- every weapon at his disposal. Among these, there’s also the rhetoric of the home Grand Prix:
"I think that racing here, in Spain, gives me something like 10% more compared to the other races. It forces me to take care of every detail even more obsessively throughout the weekend, starting from the free practice tomorrow (this morning, editor's note). You do it because you know that a victory here not only makes you and your team happy but also a lot of people in the stands".
The rhetoric of the home Grand Prix, however, ignores some less pleasant aspects resulting from so much public attention. One of them has always infuriated him (and not always without reason): the inevitable one involving paparazzi. As mentioned, one of them received a few too many shoves from the driver, and he reacted by recounting on Twitter that he had gone to the police to file a criminal complaint against Alonso for assault and damage (to a camera worth 6.000 euros). Neither Ferrari nor Alonso have commented in any way about what happened, it seems that they first want to ascertain whether the complaint has indeed been formalized. For the moment, it is more important to focus on other matters, such as the trials of the Spanish Grand Prix. Also because the best time at the end of the first day of free practice for the Spanish Grand Prix belongs to Red Bull. Sebastian Vettel, coming off a win in Bahrain, is the fastest lapping 1'22"808, just 0.017s faster than the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso (1'22"825). The Spanish driver from Ferrari has been the fastest in the morning session, conditioned by the rain, with many teams - including Red Bull - spending a long time on the sidelines. The Australian Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel’s teammate in Red Bull, finishes the session in third place, followed by the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen and the Ferrari of Felipe Massa, on a day marked by the constant threat of rain. Sixth place for the Brit Lewis Hamilton and seventh for the German Nico Rosberg, both Mercedes drivers. The top ten is closed by Adrian Sutil with Force India, Jean-Eric Vergne with Toro Rosso and Paul di Resta with Force India. Just 12th place for Jenson Button with McLaren, followed by his teammate Sergio Perez.
"The Ferrari is doing well, but let's wait for the pole position".
We are seeing a cautious Fernando Alonso coming out of his Ferrari F138 at the end of the second free practice session at the Montmelo circuit.
"The care seemed well balanced, we did great on Friday in the past too. We have to be cautious".
As if the balance, anticipation, and adrenaline were not enough to emphasize the eve of a Grand Prix that, hour by hour, increasingly resembles a duel, the weather also comes into play. Dark cirrus clouds from who knows where and heading who knows where obscure the sky over Barcelona, playfully tampering with the calendar and occasionally moistening the asphalt of Montmelo, confusing ideas and lap times on the track and in the motorhomes. At the end of the day, everyone hides, everyone postpones. The impression is that no one in the past three weeks managed to take the long-chased step forward and, thus, that the positions as we’ve seen in Bahrain have simply consolidated.
Red Bull, which at the beginning of the season seemed a little unclear, has found its way back into the conversation and has retaken its position as natural leader; Ferrari has changed many details on the car (someone is talking about a Spanish revolutions, but it’s excessive), continues its astonishing technical recovery and is now overall just a step, or perhaps less, away from the World Champions (maybe there is still some room for improvement in the outright lap time, useful for securing the pole that has been missing for fourteen races now). The Lotus reflects on its own beauty and takes pleasure in the role, indeed quite comfortable, of the third force, as unexpected as it is feared, with its driver becoming increasingly surreal and abstract; Mercedes seeks continuity; McLaren, itself. A fairly clear photograph, all in all, in the centre of which stand out, even more sharply, the two true protagonists of the duel: Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. Just look at the free practice timesheets to understand. The first dominates the morning session, the second the afternoon one. Yes, okay, it's Friday and doesn't count, yes, okay, it was raining and doesn't count, but now they are separated by a few hundredths of a second, waiting to see who comes out ahead. Who cares the most is, obviously, Fernando Alonso, doesn't want to lose contact in the standings with Vettel, who is 30 points ahead, and with another significant stretch could almost kill the championship already in the fourth race. So, the Spaniard tries to keep the team's concentration (and his own) high:
"Indeed, the car seemed to have good pace. We’ve done a long run but it doesn’t mean anything, in the past we also had great Fridays and horrendous races. Rather, here it’s important to do well in qualifying, starting in front on a track like this is essential".
On his part, Vettel tries to keep the lowest profile possible:
"We didn’t bring major upgrades. It wasn’t possible to see much because of the weather".
Saturday, May 11, 2013, Felipe Massa sets the fastest time during the third and last free practice session. The Brazilian, who sets the best performance and the end of the session switching to hard tyres, precedes Kimi Raikkonen by only 0.006s. the first eleven drivers are within one second. But it’s Nico Rosberg who takes pole positions at the Spanish Grand Prix. The first row on the Circuit of Montmelo, in Barcelona, will be all Mercedes: the German driver precedes his teammate, Lewis Hamilton. Behind them, the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel and the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen will start. Then the Ferraris: fifth time for Fernando Alonso, sixth for Felipe Massa; however, the Brazilian will have a three-place grid penalty for impeding Mark Webber during Q2, therefore he will start ninth. The Lotus og Roman Grosjean and the Red Bull of Mark Webber will start from the fourth row. Ninth the McLaren of Sergio Perez, who precedes the Force India of Paul Di Resta, last car in the top ten. Out of the fight for pole position are Jenson Button (McLaren), Daniel Ricciardo e Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso), Adrian Sutil (Force India), Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber), him too relegated by three positions. In Q1 were eliminated Bottas, Maldonado (winner here in Barcelona last year with Williams), Van der Gar, Bianchi, Chilton and Pic.
"We know we have to get better in qualifying, even if there are many cars within two tenths. Im satisfied with the race simulation and that Fernando is starting from the clean side of the track. There’s a long straight, if he starts well he can do well, the race is long. I was hoping for something better but I have faith in the race".
The President of Ferrari, Luca Montezemolo, comments the qualifying results:
"We saw that on the last lap, Fernando lost something in the very last sector; better to be here to start from the clean side of the track. The Mercedes was very strong in the outright lap, then we are all very close, tomorrow we will evaluate how the glass should be considered. Now we focus well, then tomorrow is another day".
Ferrari’s Team Principal, Stefano Domenicali, is not completely satisfied.
"If we wanted the front row? You don’t score points with a front row, the goal is always pole position, but it’s important to do well, manage the tyres, tomorrow will be 66 intense laps".
However, Fernando Alonso is optimistic:
"I’m relaxed, qualifying is always where we suffer the most and starting fifth on the clean side of the track is where we deserve to be. This is our potential in qualifying and we don’t have to forget it. The race could go really well. The pace seemed good, tyre deg too. On Sundays, we always perform better, and I don't see any reason not to fight for the podium and hopefully even for the win".
Looking at the Mercedes on the front row, Alonso finishes saying:
"Three weeks ago Mercedes was on pole too and they finished ninth. Let’s hope we can overtake them in the race".
It’s a day of first stomachaches at Ferrari. That of Pat Fry, the technical director of Maranello, urgently hospitalized in Barcelona for an appendicitis attack. And those of Alonso and Massa, slightly disappointed for the first time this season, not so much because of their starting positions on the grid (fifth and ninth) but because the announced aerodynamic developments of the F138 have turned out to be a bit disappointing. They should have brought crucial tenths of a second (especially in qualifying) and, instead, they did not work, forcing the engineers to reassemble the old parts, those already seen in China and Bahrain, and hoping for the race. So, while the two Mercedes drivers enjoy, along with the usual Vettel (Red Bull), the flashes of the official press conference that celebrates the top three on the grid, the Ferrari driver duo remains holed up in the new, futuristic motorhome, grumbling. The most abrupt one is Alonso. The one who has the most to lose. Journalists, referring to Ferrari's Friday press release that talked about updates for Barcelona, ask him if perhaps they didn't work, and he explodes.
"It’s the same story over again: we tell you the new upgrades we are bringing. Too bad that then you have to test them on track…".
Where, he means, they don’t work. And just to be clear, he adds:
"The other bring upgrades too, so the gap grows".
Not exactly a torpedo, but close. It brings to mind the Alonso/Fry controversy that - precisely on this issue - devastated the internal atmosphere of the team at the end of the last championship (later won by Vettel). This year, the situation is much better, it must be said. Even from an environmental point of view. However, Alonso's words resemble the first small crack. And it is widened, a few minutes later, by his colleague Massa:
"No, the upgrades did not work. We are not worried, but we are not happy either".
Ferrari, here in Barcelona, had brought important upgrades: rear wing, front wing, floor and the exhausts. The two wings work. The rest - from which the leap in quality was expected - didn’t the exhausts, in particular, were briefly tested, due to the bad weather, on Friday morning, and those few laps were enough to understand that they weren’t going to bring the hoped advantage.
So the car that went on track for qualifying was very similar to the one in Bahrain. Which, in a race like today’s, is not necessarily bad news. The F138 in the races so far has proven to be an excellent car, improvable in qualifying, for sure, but almost perfect on Sundays. And it is precisely on this race attitude that they rely on at Ferrari these hours. Considering that the Mercedes tends to crumble in the long run, the attention is mainly focused on Raikkonen (Lotus) and Vettel, who are ahead on the grid, but by very little. In short, as they say, within striking distance.
"We’ve seen that in race pace we are as fast as the others, if not faster. It’s our strength and we have to use it, be optimistic and aim to the podium if not at something better".
On Sunday, May 12, 2013, at the start of the Spanish Grand Prix Nico Rosberg maintains first place, followed by Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton; Fernando Alonso, on the outside at turn 3, overtakes both Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen. Behind the first five there’s Felipe Massa, who overtakes Sergio Perez at the beginning od lap 2. On lap 7 Kimi Raikkonen overtakes Hamilton for fourth place: the Brit is overtaken by Massa as well on lap 8. Between lap 8 and lap 11, the drivers in the top ten make their first tyre change: Fernando Alonso gains a position, putting himself between Rosberg and Vettel, and Massa as well overtakes Raikkonen. In the meantime, Esteban Gutiérrez climbs up to first place. Rosberg appears to be struggling and loses several positions in a few laps. The German driver is overtaken by Alonso, then by Vettel, Massa, and Räikkönen. Gutiérrez makes a tyre change during lap 14. Now the classification sees Fernando Alonso on top, followed by Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen, Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber e Sergio Pérez. The race seems already reserved for the top four, who increase the pace inexorably while, behind them, Mark Webber stands out, proceeding with a strategy of four pit stops. The Mercedes cars fall back, with a race pace quite different from that of the practice sessions. On lap 20, Felipe Massa makes his second pit stop, followed by Alonso on lap 21, Vettel on lap 24 and two lasp later by Raikkonen. The classification now see the Spanish driver from Ferrari back in the lead, followed by Massa, Vettel, and Raikkonen. The Finn secures the third position with an overtaking manoeuvre on Vettel at the beginning of lap 33. The Ferrari drivers make their third pit stop on lap 37: just back on the track, Alonso definitively passes Kimi Raikkonen, who is now in second place ahead of Vettel.
After the third pit stop by the German driver on lap 40, Massa returns to third position. Kimi Raikkonen makes his third tyre change on lap 46, falling down to third place. Between lap 50 and 52 make their fourth tyre change Alonso, Massa e Vettel. Alonso maintains the lead, followed by Kimi Raikkonen, who overtakes Massa. In the last few laps, Massa tries to get close to Raikkonen, but without managing to trouble him. Fernando Alonso wins for the second time in his career the Spanish Grand Prix, ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. Sebastian Vettel is fourth, followed by Mark Webber, Nico Rosberg, Paul di Resta, Jenson Button, Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo. Then, fortunately, Sunday arrives and takes away everything - discontent, clouds, the Mercedes - and suddenly the landscape is tinged with red. Fire-red. In Barcelona, Fernando Alonso wins, the best driver around, but above all, Ferrari wins, the best team. At least at this moment of the season. They don’t make a single mistake, the men of the team from Maranello: the strategy, the calls to the box, the tyre changes. On the perfect day, everything is possible, even miracles. Like glimpsing, on the monitors broadcasting the race, a strange shadow on one of Alonso's tires: a reflection? debris? No, a damage, a small tear that would have caused the Pirelli of the Spaniard to explode (or, in the best case, deflate) within a lap. However, he was promptly called back to the pits two laps ahead of schedule. Tyre changed, race saved, win conquered. Everything else, in the face of a day dominated in this way, manages at most to clutter the background. Because that's what the two Red Bulls do today, for example, never really in the race, with a Vettel who - despite not making any mistakes - was swept away with impressive ease at the first pit stop. Same thing goes for the two Lotus, pardon, just one, that of Kimi Raikkonen, who for a few laps managed to justify some curiosity thanks to an original race strategy (three pit stops instead of four) but not very effective.
The Finnish driver's bluff lasted a short while; then, about twenty laps from the end, it became clear that there was nothing to do, and the race had turned into a sort of long procession for Alonso. And for Ferrari, which indulged in the pleasure of finally bringing a good Massa to the podium as well.
"These will be the longest laps in history".
Says, excited, Fernando Alonso to his race engineer, Andrea Stella, faking an inexistent concern. In reality, he was enjoying from the best point of view the ecstatic stands of Montmelo, shaken by a red wave of flags and caps as he passed. To be honest, there was no need to see the checkered flag to celebrate Alonso's Ferrari. To understand how it would end, it probably would have been enough to see how it began. At the green light, like any monster from a horror movie, Alonso immediately devoured the head of his competition: he took the outside line in the first corner and with discouraging ease kept the accelerator down as if the track, in that exact section, didn't have two curves, as if it were an endless straight. Just one, amazing move, harmonic and powerful, fatal to his two rivals, Raikkonen and Hamilton (not anyone), which marked the rest of the race. thinking that Ferrari arrived here in the worst way possible. With an extremely nervous team and many questions in the head. The major upgrades brought here to make a leap in quality didn’t work and qualifying proved itself quite disappointing. The drivers pointed it out, in an unpleasant way, and situation seemed on the verge of precipitating. Instead, Stefano Domenicali and his men kept the situation in their hands, managing to build around the strength of the F138 – a terrific race pace – a little masterpiece. Found again a smile (the congratulatory phone call from Montezemolo was broadcast live on TV), now it's time to get back to work. Stefano Domenicali knows this well:
"We feared that someone made a leap in the developments of the car, in the weeks after Bahrain, but it was not the case. We didn’t do it but neither did the others. The good news is we know where to put our hands to improve and we will do so. I’m happy for the team, the drivers, the people at home. However we just won one race, we have to do way more. The drivers were relaxed, the team was focused all weekend. I’m happy for the people working at home because developing a car is always difficult in these moments. Now we have Montecarlo, where starting in front becomes more important, so this is our goal now. We are happy, but we stay calm. In a stable regulatory context, one must always do things properly and make as few mistakes as possible".
And Pat Fry?
"He followed the race from the hospital bed, he’s okay and he’ll be back in two days".
After the party for Alonso’s win of the Spanish Grand Prix, Stefano Domenicali reassures everyone about the health of the technical director of the Maranello team, who underwent an appendectomy in Barcellona.
"He is okay, we will be joined by his wife shortly".
Fernando Alonso exudes joy from every pore, greeting his fans from the podium of the Spanish Grand Prix that saw him triumph.
"Thank you all, You have also made a financial effort to be here, and you have been rewarded with a victory. Let's hope it's not the last. I’m very happy with the win, it’s special winning at home. The final lap was very long. We have a very strong car, everything went smoothly and I’m happy for the teams and the fans".
The scene after the race, captured by the TV, is amusing: the president of Ferrari, Luca Montezemolo, after the accomplishments of Ferrari in the Spanish Grand Prix, calls on the phone Alonso and says:
"It’s incredible, both on the podium. We are a great team".
Fernando then gives the phone to Massa, who absorbs a great dose of compliments by Montezemolo as well.
"I have to say, the emotions are strong. The crowd helped us; you could feel the support. The car performed very well in every single detail. We are happy and don't want to stop here. Nothing has changed; we know that only five races have passed. Some have gone well; we have almost always been on the podium, but in others, we made mistakes and had some mechanical problems. But with this car, we can fight for the championship. In my opinion, we had the pace to do four stops and give it all, the strategy went smoothly. Of course we can win the title, we did four races without problems, a retirement in Malesia and almost another one in Bahrain. With normal races the podium is always close, we have to lose five or six in a row and score a good haul. Let's not forget that we are not yet the fastest car, and they are working day and night in Maranello".
Meanwhile, Felipe Massa comments on his third place from the podium og the Spanish Grand Prix of Formula 1.
"I had an aggressive car since the start and I managed to recover some positions. I struggled a bit with the tyres, but I think the race was great for us".
Kimi Raikkonen, second in the Spanish Grand Prix, doesn't pay attention to the little consideration that is often given to him and to Lotus.
"I’m here to do the best races I can, I try to win and it’s disappointing arriving second, but sometimes we have to take what we can. We are happy with what we are doing and we’ll try to get the best results in the end".
This time as well, it’s only an illusion for Mercedes. Nico Rosberg starts from pole position but closes in sixth.
"It’s not great to start first and finish behind. After the first stint, I was sure I could control everything and maybe even win. But then it was visible they were faster than me. Little by little I gave up, I let by the opponents and it definitely wasn’t good. How will it be in Monaco? Even if we start first I don’t think we can manage to stay in front at this speed".
A disappointed look on Lewis Hamilton's face at the end of the race, finishing in twelfth place.
"I did everything possible to preserve the tires, but they were dying on me, and I was slow, I don't know why. Races are like that. Will there be the same problems in Monaco? There is still a long way to go; I don't even think about that race".
This, is not Alonso’s win. Nor the F138’s. a great driver and great car, for sure. But in Barcelona, they didn’t win. In Barcelona won Ferrari, understood as a team, as a group of men (and women, Montezemolo would add) who knew how to be stronger than everything-opponents, bad weather, even misfortune. Take the strategy, for example. It was perfect, perhaps the thing that worked best. Good: Pat Fry, the man who would usually take responsibility of the decisions, was hospitalized on the eve of the race for an appendicitis and followed the race from the hospital bed. Yet, all the calls were perfect, some - like the undercut on Vettel and the early final pit stop - downright ingenious.
The same can be said for all the other activities - before, during, and after the race - that usually determine the overall course of a Grand Prix. But the credit for the team goes even further. Because Stefano Domenicali and his men managed to be even stronger than their own driver who, on Saturday, had the lack of sensitivity to raise a hint of controversy (useless, as it turned out) about the non-functioning of the aerodynamic updates prepared for the race. The team kept their cool and managed to bring the situation back in the best way, with the victory. The season, you know, is endless, and soon other difficult moments will come - Pirelli will intervene on the tires, reducing a good part of Ferrari's technical advantages, and it will not always be possible to have clean races - it would be good to remember this Spanish race and find the strength to remain serene. And meanwhile, Fernando Alonso talks about the genesis of his masterpiece - the overtaking of Raikkonen and Hamilton at the first corner - with the same suffering as a magician forced to explain a trick.
"The idea come to me yesterday, watching GP2. Then, this morning, when we did the drivers parade (the parade of drivers on vintage cars, a side event of every Grand Prix, note) from my Alfa Romeo I started looking at the ground to see if the track was sufficiently clean on that point".
It was, as two of his fiercest opponents found out at a high cost. A nice move to pull off in front of his fans, at the first corner of the home Grand Prix.
"Well, it was fantastic. And the audience helped me. Such a unique emotion. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first time ore the third that I win at home (it’s the third, note), it’s always like the first time. The laste few laps are always emotionally difficult an I can’t wait for it to be over: via radio I said they were the longest in history".
What does this victory change in terms of the championship?
"Not a whole lot. It's only five races so far... We know we have the car to compete at the highest levels, and if we are good, we can have a say in the championship as well. That's it".
At what point in the Grand Prix did you feel you had the situation under control?
"After the last pit stop. Until then, anything could happen. There was Raikkonen who had a different strategy, and we didn't know how the tires would behave".
Today, with 32 wins in his career, he exceeds Mansell. Senna has 41, Prost 51 and Schumacher 91. Where do you want to arrive?
"I don’t know. I would be happy if I finished every race in second place and won more championships than them".
It’s only your fourth year in Ferrari. Do you feel that this is the season where you have the best chance of winning the championship?
"Probably yes. Especially if I reason in terms of the car's performance. It is very competitive, especially on Sundays. If I consider all four years, it is undoubtedly the one where I feel most confident in the car I have, even though we cannot be satisfied yet. We need a valid and aggressive development plan for the upcoming races".
By the way, Monaco is coming. Ferrari struggles in qualifying, and qualifying, you know, is crucial there. Will it be a problem?
"Of course. Mercedes is the favorite. They have taken pole in the last three races and also did it last year with Schumacher. I would be surprised if they don't start in front in the next race as well. Then probably, since it's difficult to overtake, they will be able to hold the position longer. We need to work and improve Saturday's performance".
Pessimistic?
"No, on the contrary. In Monaco, even when we were less competitive, we stepped onto the podium. And this year we had problems in Malesia and Bahrain, and we lost some ground in the championship. Instead, when we had trouble-free races, we got two first places and a second. In short, we just need to be careful to have a clean race, try to be perfect, and avoid mechanical problems, driver errors, and strategy mistakes. We can't afford them".
Not in Italy, nor in Abu Dhabi. The Formula 1 World Championship will be decided in Milan. In the headquarters of Pirelli, to be precise, where a crucial decision is currently being made: changing the tyres, and if - as it seems - it will be a yes, how (and how much) to change them? The decision to take a step back, towards more stable and durable compounds, like those at the end of 2012, was announced on Sunday evening, after teams were forced to make four stops to complete the Spanish Grand Prix (while Pirelli had planned for two or at most three). The final act of a flop, that of the 2013 tyres, which is now evident to everyone. People - distracted by too many pit stops - don't understand what's happening in the race (Alonso even complained about it, and when the winning driver complains, it's a bad sign), and many teams (although not all) find it difficult to understand how to set up the car. Yesterday morning, during the shareholders' meeting, even Marco Tronchetti Provera reiterated the change in direction:
"We are proceeding with a reorganization of tyres in F1 that will satisfy everyone".
Leaving aside that satisfying everyone is now absolutely impossible. Because at this point in the season, the teams are divided into two main categories. On one side, there are those blessed by Pirelli, mainly Ferrari and Lotus, who have understood better than others how to use the new, very delicate tyres and are doing well: so fragile, in the race, Pirelli tyres almost nullify the role of aerodynamics and enhance that of the driver and the team, and therefore, they are fine with it. On the other, for the same reason, there are those damned by Pirelli, mainly McLaren and Red Bull. And it is precisely from Red Bull that the decisive push came to convince the tire manufacturer to rethink its strategy. Dietrich Mateschitz, the big boss of Red Bull, delivered it:
"Everyone knows what is happening here. All this doen’t have anything to do with an automotive race anymore, this is a race in managing the tyres".
And the most uncomfortable thought (for him) is that it could be won by Ferrari.