Formula one is not the loudest spectacle in Spain this weekend.
The feeder series GP2, still powered by naturally-aspirated V8 engines, is making more noise in Barcelona than the newly-quiet ’hybrid’ grand prix machines.
Not only that, there are GP2 cars that are actually faster than their F1 counterparts this weekend.
Stephane Richelmi’s name may be almost unknown beyond the GP2 paddock, but this weekend at the Circuit de Catalunya, the Monagasque’s Mecachrome-powered DAMS ’outqualified’ F1 stars Max Chilton, Jules Bianchi, Marcus Ericsson and Kamui Kobayashi.
Not only that, every car inside the top 13 in GP2 qualifying was faster than the Caterhams in Spain.
Force India’s Sergio Perez said earlier that the louder, faster GP2 - with budgets eight times smaller than F1 teams - is "embarrassing".
"It’s down to the regulations and there’s nothing we can do," said Marussia’s Graeme Lowdon.
"You couldn’t criticise fans for asking that sort of question, and it’s important people listen to it," he is quoted by Sporting Life.