European Grand Prix - How will this turn out?

Firstly I must apologise for this blog. I have only just woken up for the start of this so I might be a little bit dopey when I write this, I promise I will proof read it later on if it is that bad...Please do not judge me.

Time for potentially one of the most boring tracks on the calender the Formula 1.

We are headed to Valencia for the European Grand Prix. This circuit around the port has been outwardly know by the drivers, particularly Adrian Sutil, that despite the obvious challenge of staying out the walls and keeping concentration that is not a race track that is enjoyable to race on as it has no real challenging corners apart from the chicane section at the end of the the lap. If it is unpopular with the drivers just think how the poor fans have felt for two years.

Nevertheless there are some people who are feeling more confident about the race: In particular Martin Brundle who said that the track (which I agree it kind with) has similar characteristics to Montreal, which a fortnight ago produced one of the greatest races I have ever watched. With the drivers being more motivated and more aggressive in recent weeks there does seem to hope that finally the racing reason behind going to Valencia, rather than Bernie cynically making money off the back of Alosno, will be decided.

Before I look at the potential I must look about the two major rule changes for next season:

• People moan about the adjustable rear wings as making the racing fake. I see where they are coming from but it is also about when to use it tactically and intelligently to make the move is a skill the drivers will have to know. And it doesn't mean that overtaking may not take place anyway with the dropping of the contentious double diffuser.
• The 107% qualifying rule is back. Hispania and Virgin started this season just outside the rule so whichever new team turns up (unless they can make a better fist of it that those two) will have a problem of not taking part in very many races due to the speed (or lackthereof) these cars seems to possess.
• Pirelli are the new tire supplier for next year but they want to make bigger tires for the cars. One of the current problems with the tires is that they are too big so hopefully they see sense soon as smaller tires will reduce the overall grip and make the racing more interesting hopefully.

Now for predictions for qualifying and the race, as per usual it will quali on the left and the race on the right, with anyone staying in the same place only having one name and ret. standing for retiring.

1. Hamilton/Alonso
2. Alonso/Webber
3. Webber/Hamilton
4. Rosberg/Button
5. Vettel
6. Kubica/Schumacher
7. Schumacher/Rosberg
8. Button/Kubica
9. Massa
10. Hulkenberg/Sutil
11. Petrov/Algersuari
12. Sutil/Kobayashi
13. Algersuari/Buemi
14. Liuzzi/Barrichello
15. Barrichello/Kovalinen
16. Buemi/Trulli
17. Kobayashi/Liuzzi (ret.)
18. Kovalinen/Chandok (ret.)
19. Trulli/Di Grassi (ret.)
20. Dela Rosa/Glock (ret.)
21. Glock/Senna (ret.)
22. Senna/Dela Rosa (ret.)
23. Di Grassi/ Petrov (ret.)
24. Chandok/Hulkenberg (ret.)

This race traditionally has early retirements and damage so fingers crossed there could be some comeback drives, overtaking and more than one tire stop again please??????

For now I will let you get on with your day. After the race shall be a joint look back on the first week of Wimbeldon, including Mahut and Isner's epic and the World Cup up until England's inevitable penalty exit against the Germans.

Respect to you all, I'll report back when the race is done.

Nick