Paddy Power looks ahead to Spanish GP

With the Barcelona circuit playing to the advantages of aerodynamic efficiency and the new Ferrari F2003-GA set to make its race debut, few people are looking further than Michael Schumacher to win the Spanish Grand Prix.

The odds are not wildly exciting: 4-5 on Michael for an outright win. Rubens Barrichello in the second Ferrari is listed at 4-1 and while one of the Ferraris should be first past the flag, reliability and the race team's basic operational unfamiliarity with the car could be flies in the ointment. But, best not bet on it!

Juan Montoya finished second to Schumacher last year in a Williams that offered a much less attractive base for development than this year's FW25. The new car did not delight on its launch at the Spanish track a couple of months ago, but steady progress is being made. Montoya, at 14-1, and Ralf Schumacher at 18-1, have to make sense as solid each-way bets at one-fifth of the quoted outright win odds.

Much will depend on tyre characteristics and Renault is understood to have made a different selection to the other leading Michelin teams. The R23 is kind to its tyres and the team could therefore end up running a softer compound. The weather is expected to be hot, a Michelin plus, and it is also Fernando Alonso's home race. Ally that to the possibility of an adventurous strategy and the Spaniard at 25-1 for the pole could be an interesting long shot. For Trulli fans it's even better, the Italian offered at 40-1. If you fancy either to make it to the podium, their respective odds are 10-1 and 16-1.

McLaren is historically strong at Barcelona and I have to confess to fancying a Schumacher/Raikkonen special forecast bet once again, this time at 4-1. If you prefer the Ferrari 1-2, that is on offer at 2-1. Happy punting!