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BARCELONA. — 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.
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. It has also witnessed Red Bull sliding out of contention for victories, a scenario that may change this weekend as the Milton Keynes outfit, along with the rest, will introduce a raft of car and engine updates for what is often a dull and predictable spectacle.
“We’re not sitting comfortably – we know we’ve got more work to do,” said Lewis Hamilton.
“We are quicker on the straights, but the Red Bull is very, very quick though the high-speed (corners), which tells me they maybe have a little bit more down-force than us.
“Last year there was a massive gap. We’ve definitely closed that up, but I think we can do a better job, so we’re going to keep pushing.”
Rosberg said: “It’s taken four and a half years, but we really have a strong team now. Starting with Toto (Wolff) and Paddy (Lowe) at the top, I think we have a good structure all the way.
“This year’s development race will be much more extreme than we’ve seen in recent years, because the regulations are so new.”
Talking about their in-team duel, Hamilton added: “Nico is driving really well, he’s pushing me very hard and keeping me on my toes.
“We’re going to see from race to race, there are going to be times when he’s going to be quicker and I’m going to be quicker, as we saw last year.
“What I’m really trying to focus on is those circuits where I am maybe weaker, or not as close to him. I want to close that gap. (It’s) damage limitation (for me) on those races and I think Bahrain was one of those races.” — AFP.
Online Reporter