This is what the paddock in Spain is talking about

Created: 05/21/2022, 05:01

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes showed a lot of improvement in training in Spain.

© Joan Monfort/AP/dpa

In Spain there should be the next duel between world champion Max Verstappen and world championship leader Charles Leclerc.

In Barcelona, ​​however, there is also talk of a copying affair.

Barcelona - World Champion Max Versteppen and Red Bull are not yet at the top of the Formula 1 weekend in Spain.

At the Grand Prix in the north of Barcelona, ​​Ferrari initially determines the pace in training, in qualifying today (4 p.m. / Sky) the Dutchman needs to improve in order to make it into the front row.

Unlike in the previous five races of the season, there could be a three-way battle in Catalonia.

Mercedes is catching up

With an improved car, the Silver Arrows suddenly made it way up the field in practice on Friday.

Only Charles Leclerc was faster in the Ferrari than George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

The two Brits seem capable of finishing well up front in the race as well.

The course is considered a parade route for the works team anyway.

Hamilton has won the last five Grands Prix and is a record winner on the course together with Michael Schumacher.

copy affair

Did Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin team copy world champion Max Verstappen's car?

The world automobile association Fia confirmed that no rules were broken with the new aerodynamic parts, but a stale aftertaste remains.

Aside from the paintwork, the cars look deceptively similar.

Red Bull has announced that it will investigate the case further.

The matter is particularly piquant because Aston Martin poached important engineers from Red Bull last year, including Dan Fallows, the head of the aerodynamics department.

The case should keep the PS scene busy in the coming weeks.

Alonso criticism

Former world champion Fernando Alonso risks punishment by the world association Fia with sharp words.

Back home, the Spaniard complained about the race stewards, who, in his view, last punished him unfairly in Miami.

"We think it was very unfair and it was simply incompetence on the part of the stewards.

They weren't very professional," said Alonso from the Alpine racing team.

The 40-year-old received a time penalty in Florida for leaving the track and fell out of the points at the last Grand Prix.

New hairstyle

Anyone strolling through the paddock at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya at the beginning of the race weekend noticed an unusual stand.

In front of Williams' motorhome, you could spray paint your hair red - just like Alexander Albon.

Ever since the Brit with Thai roots started wearing this hairstyle, the 26-year-old has been doing well.

He finished in the points twice in three races.

Albon dyed his boss Jost Capito's hair himself after he lost a bet.

dpa