Spanish GP (Circuit of the Americas) – May 15, 2016

Friday, May 13, 2016.
Free Practice 1: 10:00 - 11:30
Free Practice 2: 14:00 - 15:30

Saturday, May 14, 2016.
Free Practice 3: 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00

Sunday, May 15, 2016.
Race: 14:00

Last year's winner: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-AMG)



As for the big news... looks like Verstappen is making his debut with Red Bull Racing.

Here is the preview for the Spanish GP 😁

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwcG...ature=youtu.be

A more appropriate poll would be:

Who is going to suffer a mechanical failure this time?
Lewis Hamilton?
Kimi Räikkönen?
Sebastian Vettel?

🙂

Cool poll—it’ll be interesting to see if Verstappen can pull it off against Ricciardo and if you guys actually know what you're talking about... 🙂

We’re definitely grabbing some points this time... 👋

Is there any doubt that Fernando Alonso will take this one? 🙂

rowdyrider12 said:Is there any doubt that Fernando Alonso will take this one? 🙂

Sure he will—if both Mercedes, both Ferraris, and both Red Bull Racing cars all just quit... 😁

neonfox65 said:Sure he will—if both Mercedes, both Ferraris, and both Red Bull Racing cars all just quit... 😁

If two Mercedes-AMG cars, two Ferraris, and two Red Bull Racing cars all pull out, then Williams Racing and AlphaTauri would be the ones making up the podium. 😁

Otherwise, it’s a shame this poll isn't public. Personally, I suspect Ricciardo will absolutely demolish the smaller teams, provided there isn't some higher power intervening—you know, things like collisions or mechanical failures.

William Bennett53 said:If two Mercedes-AMG cars, two Ferraris, and two Red Bull Racing cars all pull out, then Williams Racing and AlphaTauri would be the ones making up the podium. 😁

Otherwise, it’s a shame this poll isn't public. Personally, I suspect Ricciardo will absolutely demolish the smaller teams, provided there isn't some higher power intervening—you know, things like collisions or mechanical failures.

I cast my vote for Ricciardo...

It doesn't really matter whether Ricciardo beats Verstappen in this race or by the end of the season. Verstappen is driving a completely new car he's never handled before, so we won't see the true situation until next season.

northerncobra31 said:It doesn't really matter whether Ricciardo beats Verstappen in this race or by the end of the season. Verstappen is driving a completely new car he's never handled before, so we won't see the true situation until next season.

You’re kind of spinning the same yarn again—there are still 17 races left in the season! 😵

Did you realize that's actually longer than some entire previous seasons?

It doesn't really matter; Ricciardo has been with Red Bull Racing much longer and has put in significantly more mileage than Verstappen, who is only just getting his first real feel for the RB car at the Spanish GP. Even if there were 50 races left this season, Ricciardo would still hold the edge. Plus, you can't overlook the fact that Verstappen is stepping into a completely new environment where he's still finding his footing. It’s not like the 2015 F1 Season, where you only need a couple of laps to tell the difference between cars and get adjusted.

Ricciardo managed to put in 457 laps during testing alone. Once you factor in all the sessions from practice, qualifying, and the race, that’s a massive advantage compared to someone who won't even turn a wheel in their new car until the Spanish GP.

Real talent adapts fast to everything. I reckon that’s exactly how it’ll go with Verstappen...

I agree, but I don't think it'll happen right away.

northerncobra31 said:I agree, but I don't think it'll happen right away.

Then how was it that Lewis Hamilton was immediately better than Fernando Alonso back in 2007?

Since he’s been with the same team from the start, did he handle the pre-season testing?

northerncobra31 said:Since he’s been with the same team from the start, did he handle the pre-season testing?

Sure, but he's still an F1 rookie, whereas Verstappen already has a full season plus under his belt...

Look, I’ll be the first to admit he’s a massive talent. I’m not saying he won't snag a few wins this season, but I just don't see him finishing ahead in the standings. It takes time to adjust, especially since Lewis Hamilton spent his entire career essentially at McLaren, knowing that crew inside and out.

It's a similar story with Kvyat. Even though I think he's actually better than Sainz, his motivation might be hit hard after moving to a slower car, so I expect Sainz to come out on top.

northerncobra31 said:Look, I’ll be the first to admit he’s a massive talent. I’m not saying he won't snag a few wins this season, but I just don't see him finishing ahead in the standings. It takes time to adjust, especially since Lewis Hamilton spent his entire career essentially at McLaren, knowing that crew inside and out.

It's a similar story with Kvyat. Even though I think he's actually better than Sainz, his motivation might be hit hard after moving to a slower car, so I expect Sainz to come out on top.

Plus, Ricciardo's already sitting pretty in the points: 36 to 13.

Well, you could also compare the total points earned since Max joined Red Bull Racing, so we'll just have to wait and see.

For instance, Kvyat had a rough start to the 2015 F1 Season, but he ended up outperforming Ricciardo by the end; it just took some time for things to click into place.