2011

• 23/06/2011

  Nick - "I'm pumped up to have a successful weekend...

• 22/06/2011

  Valencia - the forgotten...

• 22/06/2011

  Cirebox on...

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It's fair to say that in its three years on the F1 calendar, Valencia has not served up the most exciting of races so far, but could 2011 be the year that really puts it on the map?

The European Grand Prix first came to Valencia in 2008 and with the circuit readied shortly before the event no-one knew exactly what to expect.

Neither the walls that line the track nor the moveable bridge which makes up part of a lap (albeit not moving during the course of the race, now that would be interesting) proved to be too much of a challenge for teams or drivers.

In fact not much happened in that first race. The track started the weekend with a very slippery, dirty and dusty surface, as you would expect from a new course. As the cars put in the laps, so a very clear racing line emerged, and attempting to drive off of this line - as necessary for an overtaking move - proved to be fruitless for that aim.

For the second year at Valencia, (2009) it was more of the same. Last year too, save for a Mark Webber airborne action-induced safety car period.

But could 2011 be different? Certainly the 2011 rule set, with KERS and DRS, allied to the Pirelli tyres have helped to generate very different racing even at the tracks which don't naturally lend themselves to excitement – witness the race up the road in Barcelona just five weeks ago.

"I would expect it to be different this year," says James Allison. "The straight is long enough for DRS to function and there is likely to be a reasonably different level of performance from the two tyre compounds. This will lead to plenty of overtaking."

And what about the chances of the Lotus Renault GP team working their way forwards in the race?

"We've got a new top rear wing with a bigger DRS switching effect," says Allison. "This will bring outright laptime in qualifying and better overtaking potential in the race."

Let's hope so.

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