2012 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe preview

After yet another unpredictable and highly competitive Grand Prix weekend in Canada, the Formula 1 paddock now prepares for round eight of the 2012 World Championship at the Valencia Street Circuit in Spain for the 22nd running of the European Grand Prix.

First held as a standalone event back in 1983 at Brands Hatch, the race used to be an honorary designation to various races in Europe from 1923 to 1977. Since becoming a standalone event, the races have been held at many varying circuits in Europe such as Brands Hatch, Jerez and the Nürburgring.

This season’s European Grand Prix will once again be held around the Valencia Street Circuit, for the fifth season in succession. However, this will be the last European Grand Prix held at the venue, as from next season the Valencia Street Circuit will alternate the hosting of the Spanish Grand Prix with Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.

After undeniably the most unique start to a Formula 1 season in the history of the sport, many are predicting yet another different winner this weekend. Pirelli believe the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher could be in contention, whereas yet again many are predicting either Romain Grosjean or Kimi Raikkonen for success. Either way, the first repeat winner of 2012 can’t be far away with the likes of Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton all striving for a further victory in this unbelievably competitive season.

As with the majority of the races in 2012, tyres look set to play a very important role in the outcome of the weekend. With the temperature throughout the weekend forecast to peak at around 31 degrees celsius on Sunday, tyre degradation could be at the forefront of attention during the race. With this the case, Pirelli have elected to offer the soft (yellow) and medium (white) tyre compounds to the teams throughout the weekend. This will be the first time this combination has been used since the Bahrain Grand Prix back in April.

Unlike last season, there will only be one DRS overtaking zone for the race. This is expected to be located on the back straight, with the activation zone just after turn 10. Last season the FIA introduced two DRS zones to try and assist in overtaking, however only 22 DRS assisted overtakes were completed last season.

Emanuele Pirro will be the Drivers Steward at this weekends race, assuming the role previously held by Martin Donnelly at the Canadian Grand Prix. The Italian driver raced in Formula 1 from 1989 to 1991, with Benetton and Scuderia Italia. His first race as an FIA steward was at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and he has been a returning figure in this role since.

The most successful driver at the European Grand Prix is Michael Schumacher, who has won the race a staggering six times (’94, ’95, ’00, ’01, ’04 and ’06). The dominant German won four of those six races with the equally dominant Scuderia Ferrari team, who have won the race six times also (’00, ’01, ’02, ’04, ’06 and ’08). The Italian outfit would undeniably like to win this weekend, after coming agonizingly close to victory last time out in Canada.

Whoever crosses the line first after 57 grueling laps on Sunday, the World Championship will still remain open in this highly exceptional season. Sebastian Vettel will be chasing a hat-trick of victories around the Valencia Street Circuit this weekend, however in this season it is not a given that the young German will be victorious.

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