For this is the track that drivers probably spend more time at than any other.

Thanks to its relatively mild winter climate, plus the fact that the track technically challenges the cars and drivers at all speed ranges, Barcelona is the centre of pre-season testing for almost all the Formula One teams.

In fact, some teams spend so much of the winter months testing at the three Spanish tracks of Barcelona, Jerez and Valencia, that staff have bought apartments nearby.

The Spanish GP, therefore, is the track where we will truly see how good the Ferrari car is against its opposition.

In comparison with the first three races of the season, Barcelona places a strong emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency, rather than simply how much downforce can be generated, or how fast you can run in a straight line.

More than any other track, in Barcelona, you need to balance the two.

Ferrari stole a lot of headlines in the final pre-race test last week with their new 'hole' in the bodywork in front of the cockpit. It allows air to be vented from a high-pressure area under the car, aiding downforce and boosting speed.

It is such an elegantly simple solution, everyone is now wondering why they didn't think of it first!

So Ferrari are the team to beat. Felipe Massa silenced his critics in Bahrain with a perfect drive to victory, but Kimi Raikkonen has the title race under control so far. A win in Malaysia and second place behind his teammate in Bahrain have left him oozing cool, self-confidence.

The critical factor for Raikkonen in Barcelona is that he will have a new engine for this race, while Massa will have to complete a second race on his Bahrain-winning motor.

Kimi is certain to take full advantage of being able to use all the horsepower, while Ferrari engineers might have to restrict Massa's engine to guarantee reliability. I suspect they did the same with Raikkonen in the last race.

McLaren need to fight back this weekend after a shocker of a race in Bahrain. Heikki Kovalainen's car never featured as a front-runner, while Lewis Hamilton made more novice's mistakes in his 20th Grand Prix than he committed all of last term.

Already some questions have started about whether he has blown it.

Probably not. But another race like that, and I might change my mind.

The most pleasant surprise has been the competitiveness of the BMW team. They have definitely moved the title battle from a two- into a three-horse race.

That first pole position by Robert Kubica in Bahrain will not be a one-off. The BMW team have transformed an oversensitive and twitchy car at the start of the season into a fearsome competitor.

Just look at the world championship points tally to see who is second to Raikkonen by just three points. BMW driver Nick Heidfeld, in contrast to Kubica, has sneaked up the order.

Sometime soon, BMW are due their first race win - and Heidfeld could be the first man to become a world championship leader by stealth.

Almost all the teams will use the Spanish GP to test their latest developments, but two teams are pinning their hopes on upgrades. Honda have unveiled a new aerodynamic package, with distinctive fins above the nose, nicknamed 'Dumbo Ears'.

The other team for whom a package of aerodynamic and suspension upgrades is vital, are Renault. The return of Fernando Alonso has only served to demonstrate the inadequacies of the 2008 car and the two-time champion is already grumbling publicly.

The forecasters are predicting for rain tomorrow, adding yet another dimension.

If it comes, BMW may claim their first victory.

stsports@sph.com.sg

Spanish Grand Prix, qualifying
Live, Ch24, 7.57pm