Burning sun shined the Grand Prix circus. Twenty-four Formula One cars had returned to Barcelona, now the real European round starts from here. This is the first visit to the Catalunya circuit for the Red Bull Racing drivers since pre-season testing in March, but there is completely different atmosphere for the Grand Prix weekend. Even though most of them are cheering the local hero Fernando Alonso, Mark praises the fans to the skies.
“It’s one of the best races of the season in terms of atmosphere, because of the support Fernando gets,” explained Mark.“I love the drivers’ parade when we see the fireworks in the crowd going off and they sing songs too, it is always entertaining.”
That may pushed him further. Mark claimed his first pole position of this year with a perfect lap. Huge effort of the other teams to develop their car couldn’t sway the dominance of the Red Bulls.
“It was clear going into qualifying that we might have had a bit of a margin and would be battling for pole between ourselves today. It was just about getting the lap right. The lap was pretty good and I was just praying that my number went to the top when I crossed the line. It was a nice lap, a good battle with Seb and today was my day.”
Sebastian had to content himself with the second position because of the KERS issue in the last moment. But obviously he doesn’t want to do it again on Sunday.
“Looking qualifying, I didn’t into the rhythm immediately,” said Sebastian. “It was not the smoothest run, but I made it on the primes. In Q2 I felt much happier on the soft compound tyres, but unfortunately in the last qualifying I lost a little bit too much and I wasn’t entirely happy with my lap. Mark did a good lap and a better job today. I didn’t have it in Q2 or Q3 today, but I‘m sure we will have it tomorrow for the race.
At the start of the race, the Spanish hero seized the lead from them with a surprising launch from his fourth grid. It made Mark and Sebastian so surprised. Mark said “I don't think my start was hideous, but Fernando got a phenomenal one.” and Sebastian agreed “At the beginning of the race I thought I had a good start, I didn’t understand where Fernando came from! He started behind me, 16 metres behind, and half way down the straight he was already side-by-side!”
But Sebastian stayed calm and then passed Alonso at their second pit stop. He claimed his fourth victory of this season shaking off McLarens’ resistance.
“It was pretty tough today,” smiled Sebastian. “It looked like the McLarens were very strong. I knew that it would be very, very close; going into the last 10 laps felt the same as in China. At the end of the straights he would be right in my mirrors, so you don’t know if you should defend or not. It was very close, but on the last two laps, I could make it stick.”
Mark only could finish fourth because of Alonso’s cover and Spanish GP ended mortifyingly. But it’s only four days before we head to the greatest treasure of Grand Prix, Monaco. The most gorgeous place in the world will arrange another opportunity for them.
