Published: Today at 16:13
FORMULA One moves to Europe for the first time this season with some of the cars modelling a slightly different look to the start fo the campain.
A period of F1 testing in Mugello will have had an affect on several of the runners on display at the Circuit de Catalunya this weekend.
Ferrari are introducing a new exhaust system in Barcelona and locals are hoping that will boost Fernando Alonso's chances of winning his home grand prix.
The Spaniard had a successful opening practice session on Friday, setting the fastest time, but he was soon eclipsed by Jenson Button in FP2 and ended up 1.2 seconds off the afternoon pace in 14th place.
Alonso said: "I am confident that we will do the job and with the updates the first signs are positive.
"We need to look more at the data but it looks as we suspected.
"Tomorrow [Saturday] hopefully we can see some positive signs and we can get into Q3 a little bit more relaxed this time."
That showing in FP2 won't have lessened the expectation on him to do well from the fervent locals.
Johnny Herbert, who finished second in Spain in 1995 in his Bennetton, said: "I don't know whether he'll relish that pressure driving the Ferrari at the moment.
"Maybe they've made a step forward after testing in Mugello, we're not sure yet.
"But he'll try and do the best he possibly can as he always does."
Pirelli tyres have proved unpredictable for most teams so far and Mercedes ace Michael Schumacher has even gone so far as describing their performance as like "driving on raw eggs".
For this race the split is hard and soft which should lead to more interesting strategy decisions, especially as the weather may change over the weekend.
F1 veteran Martin Brundle said: "It's really baking hot right now, which we're expecting through Friday and Saturday.
"But a lot of teams are saying it's going to cool down or maybe even rain on race day.
"We've seen just how critical the temperature window is for the tyres: [Sergio] Perez one weekend nearly winning in Malaysia then nowhere the next weekend, [Kimi] Raikkonen came on strongly, the McLarens disappeared backwards because they didn't quite get the tyres in the right window.
"Who knows what's going to happen if the temperature does drop."
One thing that is certain is the drivers' championship is a lot closer this term than it was at this stage last season.
Brundle said: "Four winners in four different chassis and teams so far. Who knows there could be a fifth this weekend.
"It's entirely open. We know it's going to be tough on the tyres.
"The sun is shining, we're drying out, we're warming up, I've never been so happy to be in the Barcelona paddock.
"We're expecting another great race."
Saturday coverage on Sky Sports F1 HD begins at 9.45am with Practice 3 and Qualifying from mid-day. Race coverage on Sunday begins at 11.30am with the race due to start at 1pm.
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