Honda are still striving to latch onto the back of that mid-pack group, and whilst few doubt that with Ross Brawn in command the Brackley-based Japanese outfit will get there, whether they take a significant step forward as early as Spain – a race that will see Rubens Barrichello equal Riccardo Patrese's all-time record of grand prix starts – is rather more doubtful.

Scuderia Toro Rosso were dealt a hammer blow when Sébastien Bourdais crashed the STR3 during its first 'official' outing in testing at the Circuit de Catalunya last week, potentially delaying the new car's debut and meaning the Faenza-based minnows may be left to contend with the interim STR2B – a car that is slipping further and further away from the pace as rival teams develop – a little while longer.

Force India, for their part, are aiming to finally make it through into Q2 for the first time this weekend – for the fourth time of asking in 2008. Seasoned veteran Giancarlo Fisichella has threatened to break out of Q1 on every occasion so far, only to fall at the last hurdle each time, whilst team-mate Adrian Sutil is simply hoping Lady Luck will smile on him for once, after rotten fortunes in the opening three races have seen him take the chequered flag just once – down in 19th place last time out in Bahrain.

The embattled Super Aguri squad, finally, will view it as a success story if it merely makes the grid in Montmeló, with its expected saviour in the form of the UK-based Magma Group having pulled its investment out at the eleventh hour, plunging the Leafield concern into ever-deeper financial crisis. Whilst the majority of eyes will be on the three-way tussle at the front of the grid, a good many will also be watching the back, to see whether the 2008 campaign continues on to Turkey on 11 May still with eleven teams – or with just ten.