2005 Spanish Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = Spain
Grand Prix = Spanish
Date = May 8
Year = 2005


Official name = Gran Premio Marlboro de Espana
Race_No = 5
Season_No = 19
Location = Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Course = Permanent racing facility
Course_mi = 2.875
Course_km = 4.627
Distance_laps = 66
Distance_mi = 189.75
Distance_km = 305.382
Weather = Sunny, warm
Pole_Driver = Kimi Räikkönen
Pole_Team = McLaren-Mercedes
Pole_Time = 2:31.421 (aggregate)
Pole_Country = Finland
Fast_Driver = Giancarlo Fisichella
Fast_Team = Renault
Fast_Time = 1:15.641
Fast_L

Fast_Country = Italy
First_Driver = Kimi Räikkönen
First_Team = McLaren-Mercedes
First_Country = Finland
Second_Driver = Fernando Alonso
Second_Team = Renault
Second_Country= Spain
Third_Driver = Jarno Trulli
Third_Team = Toyota
Third_Country = ItalyThe 2005 Spanish Grand Prix was a Formula One race, held from May 6 to May 8 2005, at Circuit de Catalunya.

Kimi Räikkönen started on pole position ahead of Mark Webber, who set a blistering lap during the second qualifying session to claim the front row, leaving championship leader Fernando Alonso on the second row in third. Right from the start Räikkönen started pulling away at a blistering pace, setting the fastest lap thirteen times in only twenty four laps. Alonso suffered from some tyre wear and was forced to take care of the tyres and come home in second place, never taking the lead from Räikkönen.

Webber had a dismal start, losing second and then third to Alonso and Ralf Schumacher, respectively. After the first round of pitstops he lost three positions and had to battle his way back to finish in sixth. Alonso's teammate Giancarlo Fisichella moved around constantly in the field, but managed to end up in fifth from sixth on the grid.

Jarno Trulli had a good race, ending up on the podium in third ahead of his teammate Ralf Schumacher, who fell behind after the first round of pitstops. Meanwhile, Räikkönen's teammate Juan Pablo Montoya had an average race, moving around in the field but still only managing a seventh place. It was his return from a two-race absence to recover from a shoulder injury. David Coulthard claimed the final points-paying position in eighth after starting from ninth.

Some of the retirements included Michael Schumacher, who suffered from a tire puncture and had to retire on lap 47, his third retirement of the year. Jacques Villeneuve also had to retire on lap 52 after a water leak hampered the power of his engine.

This was Räikkönen's first victory of 2005, and would mark the start of a McLaren comeback that ultimately would not succeed due to several mechanical failures.

Friday Drivers

Notes

* Pole position: Kimi Räikkönen - 2:31.421 (Aggregate time)
* Fastest l
Giancarlo Fisichella 1:15.641
* The two BAR Honda drivers did not race due to a disqualification at the 2005 San Marino Grand Prix

F1 race report
Name_of_race = Spanish Grand Prix
Year_of_race = 2005
Previous_race_in_season = 2005 San Marino Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 2005 Monaco Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race = 2004 Spanish Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = 2006 Spanish Grand Prix