:tumble:

With the objective of starting the second home Grand Prix of the season full of energy, Varlion – Official clothes supplier to the team – and HRT Formula 1 Team have organized a paddle tennis match in the port’s facilities next Thursday at 10.30h.

HRT Formula 1 Team’s drivers Pedro de la Rosa, Narain Karthikeyan, Dani Clos and Ma Qing Hua will take on top professional players Seba Nerone (4-time World Team paddle tennis champion and nº9 in the world rankings), Pablo Lima (Runner-up in the World Championships and nº3 in the world rankings), Carolina Navarro (2012 female World Champion) and David Gutierrez (nº32 in the world rankings).

After the matches with the professionals, the journalists and fans attending the event will have the opportunity to team up with Pedro de la Rosa and Dani Clos and play a couple of points with the Spanish Formula 1 drivers.

To round things off, once the games are done with, the attending media will have an opportunity to speak with the drivers in a relaxed environment before the European Grand Prix officially gets underway.

When: Thursday the 21st of June – 10.30h.
Where: Clock tower esplanade. T Superyacht terminal at the Port of Valencia

Access is free for all media with an FIA press accreditation, both permanent and particular for this event. If you still don’t have your accreditation, you will be able to access through the main gate D (Juan Verdeguer Street) showing this invitation at the door.

The FIA has confirmed to organisers of the European Grand Prix that the sole DRS zone for this weekend's race will be located on the back stretch, beginning after the iconic swing bridge. This means that the second zone towards the Turn 17 hairpin has been removed.

Should a car be close enough to that in front when coming off the bridge, DRS will be available – from Lap 3 after the start or a restart – through the left-handed Turn 11. This allows drivers the possibility of increased speed along the back stretch of the port and an ideal passing opportunity under braking for Turn 12, where Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber battled last year.

More action should be expected at Turn 12 this season, as in theory overtaking opportunities have been reduced. Furthermore, F1 tyre supplier Pirelli is not expecting huge surprises in the race, placing extra emphasis on qualifying performances.

I have only one opinion about Valencia street course:

The only interesting thing about the circuit is the narrow pitlane which it has provided more drama than on the circuit.