F1 drivers in new challenge as Valencia debuts

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Formula One steps into the unknown when the first race at the new harbour-side venue of Valencia takes place on Sunday.

The track, designed by the ubiquitous Hermann Tilke, is expected to buck the trend of tight street circuits by providing a different kind of challenge for the drivers.

Winner of the last round in Hungary, Heikki Kovalainen, described what he was expecting to encounter on a track where cars will top 186mph (300km/h) five times.

The Finn said: "It looks pretty fast, to be honest. You get used to street circuits being quite slow, but this is almost the opposite.

"There are a lot of fast kinks and esses, a couple of decent straights and lots of high-speed stuff. It's too early to say yet whether there will be opportunities to overtake around here, but there are a couple of hairpins where it might be possible." Who do you think will win the European Grand Prix?

The European Grand Prix has moved to Valencia from its previous home of the Nurburgring in Germany, representing a changing of the guard.

When Michael Schumacher was deposed as F1's perennial champion by Fernando Alonso in 2005, Spain had a new idol and a hitherto undiscovered love for the sport was unearthed.

Now Spain is the only country on the calendar to have two races.

But with Alonso's Renault not quick enough to allow him to challenge for a home win, victory is likely to come from one of the usual suspects of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa or the McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Kovalainen.

"I am in a good position to challenge for the world championship and that remains my aim," said Hamilton, who heads the standings.

"We still feel confident about our chances -- we know our rivals will be strong, but we've worked hard to improve the car and are confident we'll be competitive this weekend.

"I enjoy visiting new racetracks and I'm looking forward to getting into the cockpit on Friday morning. It looks like being an amazing track."

Honda have had little to smile about in 2008 as their car has lacked pace. But driver Rubens Barrichello is hoping the new 3.380-mile (5.419-km) track can shake up the established order.

"The challenge of learning a new circuit is always exciting, particularly when it is an unusual venue such as Valencia," the veteran Brazilian said.

"A new track always opens up the field and gives an opportunity for the driver to make an impact as our feedback will be very important in achieving the correct set-up.

"We have prepared well and I am looking forward to the weekend and the potential to score some points."