Fernando Alonso returns to race on home soil this weekend hoping for an unlikely resurrection of the form and pace that delivered his and Ferrari’s last victory.
That came a year ago in the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya where the two-time world champion won ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, then of Lotus, and Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari.
A repeat of that result would delight not only local Spanish fans, but also deliver a Ferrari one-two as Raikkonen joined the Italian ‘scuderia’ this season for a second time.
It would also please Williams fans, too, as the much-improved British team is now home for the likeable Massa.
A year ago, the race may have been won by Alonso, but qualifying was dominated by the fast Mercedes pairing of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who took the front row.
Rosberg led for 10 laps, before he fell away and finished sixth behind the two Red Bulls – a scenario that is less likely this season since Mercedes have won all four of the opening ‘flyaway’ races ahead of this opening round of the European part of the season.
This year has seen not only Mercedes domination with Hamilton reeling off three straight wins following Rosberg’s opening triumph in Australia, but also a solid consistency from Alonso in the chasing Ferrari.