McLaren Mercedes - Spanish GP Preview - A tough challenge for McLaren

With long high-speed sweeping turns, the Spanish Grand Prix will be one of the tougher events on the calendar for the McLaren Mercedes team this year.

The Woking-based squad has made good progress with the MP4-24 package in recent races and armed with its latest aerodynamic package last time out in Bahrain, Lewis Hamilton was able to battle for third position before eventually taking the chequered flag in fourth.

The team admit however that the sweeping nature of the 4.655km Barcelona circuit will not suit the current car as it lacks in overall downforce compared to its rivals.

“After such a positive performance in Bahrain, we’re fully aware that the characteristics of the Barcelona track won’t suit our car so well,” said Hamilton, who is currently seventh in the championship with nine points.

“In addition, we won’t have the bigger upgrades of some of the other teams as we already introduced several new parts during the opening fly-aways, so it will be interesting to see where we sit in the order.”

“Nevertheless, the engineers are optimistic that our new diffuser and front wing will once again help us to make progress towards the front of the grid,” he added.

Hamilton’s view is backed up by Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh who admits rivals teams may make gains, but he is adamant that McLaren will be able to challenge for points: “While the high-downforce nature of the Circuit de Catalunya may show up some of MP4-24’s shortcomings, everyone within the team remains confident and motivated that we can sustain the momentum we have gathered to push and close the gap to the front this weekend.”

Mercedes Motorsport boss Norbert Haug expects a shake-up in the pecking order in Barcelona with teams arriving with extensive modifications to their cars.

“Barcelona will be a true test for the future balance of power,” Haug predicted. “I expect an extremely difficult race. We are in the middle of an intensive process of catching up and, in comparison to our competitiveness in the previous two seasons, we are still far from where we need to be.”

For Heikki Kovalainen, returning to Barcelona after his heavy shunt in last year’s race poses no problems as he looks to add to his four points secured at the Chinese Grand Prix.

“We are going into this race with realistic expectations, but I’m optimistic the whole team can deliver once again this weekend,” the Finn said.