2011 formula should end Barcelona bore

F1’s 2011 formula should ensure a more spectacular than usual Spanish grand prix at Barcelona.

The Circuit de Catalunya has announced that the ’DRS’ rear wing overtaking zone has been set at 830 metres for the front straight — "one of the longest (zones) of the world championship", according to the Spanish venue.

"The race will be a test of the new F1 rules," said Spanish daily Diario Sport.

The Circuit de Catalunya, so well-known to formula one teams, has usually hosted predictable and processional F1 races.

But the new formula also includes Pirelli tyres that had to be changed around four times per driver in Turkey a week ago, where there was a dizzying 79 overtaking moves.

"With the tyre degradation and the moveable rear wing it (the Spanish GP) will likely be different this year," predicted Williams’ Sam Michael.

Brazilian journalist Livio Oricchio wrote in his Jornal da Tarde column that in the 20 Spanish grands prix at Barcelona, the pole sitter has won no fewer than 16 times.

Another fact is that Adrian Newey-designed Williams, McLaren and Red Bull cars have won half of all the grands prix at the Circuit de Catalunya.

"It should be suitable for our car," said Sebastian Vettel, who has monopolised pole position with his RB7 so far in 2011.

Germany’s Bild newspaper pointed out that Vettel’s start to the season has been the fifth best in formula one history, after Michael Schumacher (1994 and 2004), Ayrton Senna (1991) and Nigel Mansell (1992).