Fans flocking to Formula One's most predictable race could be in for a surprise in Spain this weekend, even if Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel ends up winning again.
For years, Spaniards have headed to Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya expecting a high-speed procession and only hoping that Fernando Alonso would be leading
it to the chequered flag.
While the double world champion will again be the crowd favourite, fresh from his first podium of the year in Turkey, Monday (NZT) should offer a different kind of show.
The season's new Pirelli tyres and technical rules led to a feast of overtaking in Istanbul, too much for the taste of some, while four pit-stops was the norm among leading drivers.
The Spanish Grand Prix has been won from pole position for the past 10 years in a row, with precious little overtaking, and this year's will be keenly watched for signs that the face of Formula One has changed.
"I think Barcelona is the acid test," Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn said.
"It's a track that normally we struggle at, so if there is some overtaking in Barcelona then I think you've got to say the new rules are a great success.
"I think there will be [more overtaking].
"It's a high degradation circuit so you are going to have the situation of cars with varying levels of tyre grip. And that's probably the most significant factor, then helped by the DRS (drag reduction system). Things are looking up."
According to the official formula1.com website, last year's Spanish Grand Prix featured just 10 overtaking moves. Turkey had 112 two weeks ago.
Red Bull's world champion Sebastian Vettel has won three of the season's four races after starting the past five races in a row from pole position. The 23-year-old German would be considered a certainty if he bags another pole but Australian teammate Mark Webber can take comfort from the past.
Webber won in Spain last year and his sequence of results this season are all leading in one direction - fifth in Australia, fourth in Malaysia, third in China and second in Turkey.
"I think with the new changes we are going to see a different type of race at the Spanish Grand Prix this year," he said.
The leading teams are all bringing upgrades to Barcelona, with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button looking to get back on the podium after being unable to get new pieces on the car in Istanbul.
Alonso is fifth overall after four races, 52 points behind pacesetter Vettel.Reuters
Fans flocking to Formula One's most predictable race could be in for a surprise in Spain this weekend, even if Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel ends up winning again.
For years, Spaniards have headed to Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya expecting a high-speed procession and only hoping that Fernando Alonso would be leading
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