After a successful inaugural Miami Grand Prix, Formula 1 will head back to familiar ground with the Spanish Grand Prix up next on the menu.
This season’s championship remains a big tug of war between Ferrari and Red Bull, so we expect these two frontrunners to provide racing fans more action here in Spain.
Ferrari hold the lead in both the drivers and constructors’ standings, but their margin for error has gotten smaller as Red Bull are hot on their heels.
Elsewhere, Mercedes are keen to start their comeback after a rough start to their campaign, especially since most teams are planning to show off their new upgrades this weekend.
Allow SBOTOP to serve you the latest Spanish Grand Prix 2022 updates.
Can Carlos Sainz Jr. deliver at home?
Carlos Sainz Jr. is going to be all over the news in Spain since this will be his home race. The 27-year-old has dreams of getting his maiden Spanish Grand Prix victory, although he added that he plans to stay even-keeled.
“To do it at my home Grand Prix would be the best ever. Yes, I’ve been thinking a lot about it. It’s what motivates me, it’s what makes me train at 7am and push like crazy. I’m thinking about it – but not obsessed,” said Sainz Jr.
So far this season, Sainz Jr. has had three podiums and two DNFs. He is currently fifth in the drivers’ standings with 53 points, and he hopes to catch up with his teammate and championship leader Charles Leclerc.
“Probably I’m the first one who’s not 100% happy with how everything has gone. At the same time, you look at it in a positive way: you know, every race finish so far has been on the podium, even if I’m not 100% happy with the car I’m fighting for pole positions out there and I’m finishing on the podium when I finish,” shared the Spaniard.
For the longest time, Fernando Alonso has been the crowd favourite in Spain. However, now with a race-winning car at his disposal, Sainz Jr. has a great opportunity to finally win one here.
With the championship fight between Ferrari and Red Bull going back and forth, every point counts for the Prancing Horse especially since Max Verstappen is the form driver currently, as the Red Bull racer is fresh from a victory in Miami.
Catalunya would be pivotal for Mercedes
The reigning constructors’ champions have been off pace in the first five races of 2022, which is why they’ve maintained their pursuit of constant improvement for their W13.
The W13 remains underwhelming, although they did raise some eyebrows in Miami when they did great in FP1 and FP2 despite not getting the desired results from FP3 and during the actual race.
It remains a mystery for the Silver Arrows on how they can extract more performance out of the W13. So ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, they’ve taken part in a “secret” test in an attempt to try and make up for lost ground.
According to reports, the test behind closed doors yielded solid results in the simulator with George Russell participating while teammate Lewis Hamilton was absent.
While Mercedes didn’t disclose much regarding their planned upgrades in Spain, it is likely that they’ll focus on their power unit and rear wing configuration to boost the W13’s straight-line speed and reduce the effects of porpoising.
History
Catalunya has been a happy hunting ground for Mercedes as they’ve won all of the last five Grands Prix here. Lewis Hamilton has won each one, and only one non-Mercedes driver has managed to interrupt their streak in Max Verstappen during the 2016 edition.
The Silver Arrows have the most poles in the last five editions with nine, while Red Bull have five, and Ferrari only have one.
After winning last year, Lewis Hamilton tied Michael Schumacher for the most victories on this circuit with six apiece. Other than Hamilton and Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel are the only active racers to have won at Catalunya.
What are the odds?
Ferrari appear to have the upper hand as the Spanish Grand Prix 2022 odds have them priced at 1.80 compared to Red Bull’s 2.02.
Charles Leclerc is the highest priced racer to win at 1.25, while Max Verstappen is at 1.77 and Carlos Sainz Jr. is installed at 1.80.
George Russell and Sergio Perez are in the podium hunt as well at 2.02 and 2.25 respectively, while Lewis Hamilton is expected to lead the midfield at 2.58.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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