The tyre blankets are coming off Fernando Alonso's new-look McLaren before he heads out onto the circuit. Plenty of others have already been out for their outlaps, among them Pastor Maldonado - Spanish GP winner in 2012 - Sebastian Vettel, Carlos Sainz and Felipe Massa.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"Ferrari might be playing down their chances of closing the gap to Mercedes in the near future, but they are certainly trying. The car this weekend might look fundamentally similar to the one Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen raced in Bahrain, but in fact the majority of its aerodynamic surfaces are new."

Image source, Susie Wolff

Susie Wolff:, external Preparation all done. I'm ready.

Image source, Getty Images

Forty years ago, Italian Lella Lombardi became the first and only female driver to score in a Formula 1 race with sixth place at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix.

A few teams are handing seats over to reserve drivers today and Susie Wolff is in the Williams for first practice. However, she feels she is "very far away" from becoming the first woman to race in Formula 1 for 40 years.

"I have shown I am capable, I'm in a very competitive team, I drive a car which is capable of podium positions," says the Scot.

On pings the green light to signal the start of FP1 and the circuit is open. Out roll the first few cars and time now for a bit of update spotting!

Image source, Getty Images

With McLaren launching their new livery this weekend, it is an appropriate time as any to get your thoughts on what the best liveries in Formula 1 history are.

To kick things off, my favourite - the old school red and white McLaren legends such as Ayrton Senna and James Hunt had all raced in. Niche? No. Gorgeous? Yes.

What's your favourite? Let us know via #bbcf1,, external text us on 81111 (UK only) and also have your say on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

McLaren on Twitter: Close-up with the refreshed livery. The drivers' dayglo digits are looking good under the light too.

Image source, McLaren

Image source, McLaren

Image source, Lotus

BBC weatherman Ian Fergusson:, external Dry & largely sunny conditions will prevail throughout the event. Temperature in high 20's C on Fri; mid-20's Sat-Sun

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Stick your digital radio on and tune into BBC Radio 5 live sports extra or click live coverage on this very page to supplement these text updates with live commentary from first practice.

Image source, McLaren

Here is the McLaren's new livery new colour scheme in all its glory.

I like it, but it is basically the HRT from 2010, isn't it?

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"McLaren are sporting a new livery this weekend - the first fundamental change to the car's colour scheme in 18 years. It has had a mixed reception among fans, some of whom believe that in this new era with Honda the car should more reflect the Japanese company's traditional red and white colours, and/or some of McLaren's original orange.

"Even within McLaren, there are those who agree. The team created some mock-ups of a car in a predominantly white and orange livery - one of which I have seen - but chairman Ron Dennis rejected them. This grey and day-glo red scheme is very much Dennis's baby."

Image source, Getty Images

McLaren might be hoping that the arrival of the European leg of the season can bring with it some positive results after poor start to the season, but even they'll admit a race win is still little more than a pipe dream.

Indeed, they are so far away from standing on the top step in the eyes of the experts that just last week you could get better odds on the new royal baby being called Macbeth (500-1) than you could on a McLaren win at this weekend's grand prix.

Those odds have improved with some bookmakers, down to around 250-1 now. Not that that will give Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button much comfort...

The season may be less than three months old but Lewis Hamilton is firmly in the driving seat for the world championship after winning three of the first four races.

He holds a 27 point lead over his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who has yet to win in 2015 and the German knows he can ill afford to let Hamilton get further ahead in the title race.

Make or break? Maybe not quite just yet but should he be watching Hamilton lift another trophy on the podium this weekend then winning that elusive first title this season will start to look a very tall order indeed.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Barcelona

"As the first race of the European part of the season, the Spanish Grand Prix is not only a welcome short flight away, it is traditionally where many of the teams bring their first major upgrade package of the year, and this time is no different. Up and down the pit lane, new bits of bodywork abound on cars and everyone is hopeful of a step forward.

"It applies to some of the drivers, too. Nico Rosberg says he simply needs to "optimise" a weekend to beat Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton for the first time this year. Will this be the one, on a track on which even Hamilton himself admits has never been his best."

Image source, Mercedes

Hola! Welcome to our coverage of the Spanish Grand Prix. After four flyaway races and a three-week break, The start of the European season kicks off this weekend at a circuit the drivers are more than familiar with - the Circuit de Catalunya.

After two pre-season tests in Barcelona earlier this year, there will be no need for introductions for the grid this weekend. Instead, it will be all about finding out what big upgrades teams have added in the run-up to this weekend, and whether they will have an impact on how the field is shaping up so far.

Will Mercedes' advantage be eroded? Will McLaren be more competitive? Answers to those questions and more should, hopefully, be answered this weekend.

Barcelona. The fifth round of the 2015 season and the first race of the European leg.

For some, it is the opportunity for a fresh start...

Image source, Getty Images

...for others, it will simply be about picking up from where they left off...

Image source, Getty Images

...but for one or two on the grid, it could already be a make or break race...

Image source, Getty Images