5 Talking Points For 2019 Spanish Grand Prix

Another Mercedes domination, with Ferrari and Red Bull playing catch up during qualifying, one wonders what's in store for the 2019 Spanish Grand Prix?

With Bottas and Hamilton clearly setting the tempo during the qualifying for what could once again be a Mercedes 1-2, it appears there's not an awful lot in store for the rest at the 2019 Spanish Grand Prix. Or will we see something quite extraordinary or out of the blue on Sunday?

So as round five of the Formula 1 season enters where it all begins, given the pre-season testing, what are the odds of Catalunya unfurling a mad-hatter of a contest?

Can Ferrari bounce back, finding a way somehow to breach past the defences of Mercedes? Can Verstappen land on the podium at a track where he first tasted victory back in 2016?

And above all, who'll set the pace on race-day as Ferrari seem to be struggling in front of another dominant Mercedes showing in qualifying? Questions there are many, and answers just too few.

So let's determine the 5 talking points of the 2019 Spanish Grand Prix.

#5 Can Lewis spoil Bottas' party?

Lewis Hamilton has won the Spanish Grand Prix on 3 separate occasions. This is by no stretch of the imagination an easy feat.

But as Lewis starts second on the grid, right behind his pole-clinching teammate, Valtteri Bottas, it appears that we have a real contest on our hands.

As seen in some previous races, Hamilton has quite comfortably snuck into the front of the grid, often beginning from second on the grid. Perhaps, he'd try to make most of his race-craft and the special ability to enforce pressure right from the start.

Interestingly, whether or not Hamilton leads from Bottas to take the checkered flag or vice-versa, it would be all advantage Mercedes, since they stand at a record-breaking cusp of clinching five consecutive 1-2 finishes.

#4 Who will win the battle in the midfield?

F1 Grand Prix of Spain - Qualifying where Toro Rosso seemed quick

With the likes of Red Bull's Gasly, Haas drivers Grosjean and Magnussen, and Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat firmly cemented on sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth respectively, it remains to be seen which among the midfielders shall gather the most points.

As seen during much of the qualifying run, the Haas seemed nearly as quick as the Red Bulls. On the other hand, the Toro Rosso drivers- Kvyat on P9 and Albon, P10 respectively- also seem to be in good touch.

While it would be a bit daft to underestimate any of these young drivers, the Haas drivers, it could be said would be well-advised to stay clear of a certain Russian "Torpedo."

Carlos Sainz, the local hero didn’t have a fascinating qualifying run on Saturday, managing only a low-key P12. But who what might happen on race-day? An early incident up at the start and the order could be all set for a complete change.

#3 Another Verstappen vs Vettel duel?

Spanish F1 Grand Prix could see Vettel battle Verstappen closely

Sebastian Vettel begins his Spanish challenge from third on the grid. An experienced hand, he's won here on two consecutive occasions, during those unstoppable Red Bull years, a team with which he enjoyed absolute domination right at the front.

More specifically, where the past Grands Prix stand, then it can be seen that the German driver has been in some fine form, even as he has failed to collect a race win.

Having collected a string of podium finishes, in fact, the two third-placed finishes from China and Baku to be precise; Vettel would feel he's in for a chance here at Spain.

After all, he's only trailing the two imperious looking Mercedes drivers. Although, he's got Max Verstappen- a familiar opponent on the grid- for a company, who starts at fourth, barely behind the Ferrari.

So can we expect a close contest, one of the many that the duo has demonstrated in the past here at Spain on Sunday?

#2 Could Struggling Raikkonen mean a No-Show from Alfa Romeo?

Here's an interesting fact for Kimi Raikkonen fans. On Sunday, the famous Finn, responsible for the fastest-ever lap in the history of the sport shall enter his seventeenth run at the famous racing venue, having first entered a contest back in 2001.

That told, it's not always that the oldest man on the grid also happens to be among the most consistent ones.

Should Kimi Raikkonen of Alfa Romeo manage to score again, it would mean that he would have scored in all five Grands Prix since the very first race in March, in Melbourne.

That said, the chances of the above do not seem too bright for 'The Iceman' who starts from fourteenth on the grid having endured a vapid qualifying run.

But one never knows what might happen during the course of the race. As seen in the events such as China, where Raikkonen beautifully battled the Haas cars, one may expect Kimi to pull out an ace or two somewhat.

#1 Will Valtteri Bottas reign at Spain?

Outshining Lewis Hamilton is no child's play but then Valtteri Bottas is no lame driver- is he?

Valtteri Bottas is the man of the moment. Winning the season-opener at Melbourne, the home to the Australian Grand Prix, Bottas, it seems, is simply unstoppable given the rich vein of form he's enjoying, as seen in those stellar drives at China and Baku.

The man who leads the current rankings is also easily the quickest on the grid. Ask Hamilton, whom the Finn denied the race win at Azerbaijan, the recently-concluded Grand Prix.

But that said, the 2019 Spanish Grand could give Valtteri a clear opportunity to chip away from Lewis Hamilton, currently second on the grid, if the driver who went without a single win in all of 2018 could hold his nerve in the 66-lap contest.

So who will reign eventually at Spain among the two Mercedes drivers? For starters, Bottas' lap-record of 1:15:406 should up his confidence to ace the Spanish slug fest.

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Edited by Shaurya Vineet