
Setting the scene for Valencia
Amid the blistering heat in Spain, all the talk was of Lotus, Romain Grosjean, and the possibility of having Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel in the same team, as Jonathan Noble explains
With the mercury nudging 35C for much of the day in the Valencia paddock, it was hard to imagine anyone other than Mad Dogs and Englishmen being happy wandering around in the midday sun.
But while the blisteringly hot weather made life difficult for everyone going about their business on Thursday afternoon, down at Lotus the predictions of even more sunshine was more than welcome - as it left its men as clear favourites to deliver what could be an eighth different winner this season.

Jonathan Noble is Motorsport.com’s Formula 1 editor. Having graduated from University of Sussex Jonathan worked for sports news agency Collings Sports reporting on F1, F3, touring cars and other sports, with articles appearing in The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Reuters, Autosport and other publications. In 1999 he moved to Haymarket Publishing to become a senior editor at Autosport Special Projects, and one year later he became Autosport’s grand prix editor. In 2015 he moved to Motorsport Network, becoming the F1 editor for Motorsport.com. He is also a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and sits on the FIA Media Council.
Valencia preview: Tougher than it looks
Sergio Perez expecting tough weekend at the European Grand Prix
More from Jonathan Noble

Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur
Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur Ferrari must not “bulls**t itself” over F1 form, says Vasseur

Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen
Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen Hamilton: 2023 Red Bull is most dominant F1 car I’ve seen

FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi Arabian GP controversy
FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi Arabian GP controversy FIA to review rules after Alonso Saudi Arabian GP controversy

Alonso gets Saudi F1 podium back after penalty ruling overturned
Alonso gets Saudi F1 podium back after penalty ruling overturned Alonso gets Saudi F1 podium back after penalty ruling overturned

Verstappen can still win Saudi Arabian GP from 15th, say F1 rivals
Verstappen can still win Saudi Arabian GP from 15th, say F1 rivals Verstappen can still win Saudi Arabian GP from 15th, say F1 rivals

Mercedes found "really big steps" after changing F1 car approach
Mercedes found "really big steps" after changing F1 car approach Mercedes found "really big steps" after changing F1 car approach

Red Bull F1 still on "another planet", says Leclerc
Red Bull F1 still on "another planet", says Leclerc Red Bull F1 still on "another planet", says Leclerc

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Latest news

RNF unveils new-look for first MotoGP season with Aprilia
RNF unveils new-look for first MotoGP season with Aprilia RNF unveils new-look for first MotoGP season with Aprilia

The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos

Evans explains why he lost second at WRC Rally Mexico
Evans explains why he lost second at WRC Rally Mexico Evans explains why he lost second at WRC Rally Mexico

10 things we learned at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
10 things we learned at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 10 things we learned at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem

Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise

Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much
Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much

How a dynamic design tool has grown in F1 importance
How a dynamic design tool has grown in F1 importance How a dynamic design tool has grown in F1 importance
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.