In the race to catch Red Bull's pace, Jenson Button is looking best, but former world champions Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso are desperate to close the gap

Barcelona: the traditional start of the main European Formula 1 season. Where the real challenge begins in the fight for the world championship. So what did we learn from the opening four flyaways?

Those races told us, in terms of single-lap pace, that Red Bull has the fastest car. In terms of smart, sharp decisions by a racing driver, Jenson Button has been flawless. And in terms of someone suffering a luck allergy, Sebastian Vettel has the biggest right to feel aggrieved, given his three pole positions delivered only one grand prix victory.

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