by Russell Atkins
The Spanish Grand Prix this weekend not only marks the fourth round of the 2008
Formula 1 World Championship, it is also the return of the circus to European soil following the opening three flyaway races – and the question is, can anyone catch Ferrari?
The championship standings may see the top five drivers –
Kimi Raikkonen,
Nick Heidfeld,
Lewis Hamilton,
Heikki Kovalainen and
Robert Kubica – separated by just five points, and a scant three between BMW-Sauber,
Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes in the constructors' title chase, but that disguises the real picture – one of scarlet superiority.
Whilst Hamilton and McLaren were the combo to beat Down Under as Ferrari languished all at sea, once the
Scuderia had got its act together in time for Malaysia it proved nigh-on unstoppable. Indeed, but for
Felipe Massa's mid-race error in Sepang when the Brazilian spun away second place, the men from Maranello would have been looking at two successive one-two demonstrations.
The main focus in Barcelona, therefore, will be to see whether Massa's re-found confidence following his desert triumph in Sakhir just under three weeks ago has been maintained, and whether he can take the fight to team-mate Raikkonen on a consistent basis.
For
McLaren, the weekend will provide the opportunity to assess whether the gap separating the Silver Arrows from their chief rivals has been reduced at a circuit that has traditionally been kind to the Woking-based outfit. Hamilton is in need of a win to get his title ambitions back on-track, whilst team-mate Kovalainen is bidding to add to his sole rostrum finish for the squad to-date, achieved in the Malaysian heat.
