BARCELONA, Spain - Mercedes rivals hope a busy three weeks of tinkering on their slower cars and the move to European tracks will be enough to at least threaten Lewis Hamiltons and Nico Rosbergs stranglehold on Formula One. The Mercedes pair head into Sundays Spanish Grand Prix after sweeping the first four races in impressive style, with the most compelling driving coming between the teammates while the pack puttered away in the distance. The switch to V6 turbo hybrid engines has dislodged Red Bull as F1s dominant team after four seasons, and Mercedes was also dealing far better than the rest with the new powertrain and other rule changes. Hamilton has led a Mercedes one-two finish with Rosberg in the last three races after the German won the season opener. The silver-and-teal duo have also taken all four pole positions, and set the fastest lap at each grand prix. "We are now four races into the 2014 season and hold a strong position in both championships," Mercedes team executive director Toto Wolff said. "However, the first European round of the year always provides a prime opportunity for teams to arrive with improvements to their cars. Of course, we are no different to any other team in that respect and our aim must be to increase the advantage we enjoyed at the last race in China." Neither Hamilton nor Rosberg has yet to win at the Circuit de Catalunya, although they did take the top two positions in qualifying here last year. Rosberg, who has a four-point lead over Hamilton in the championship, said that after years of racing and preseason tests at Barcelona "there is probably no other track in the world" that he knows better. "I also have some good memories of race weekends in Barcelona," Rosberg said. "Last year (...) I started from pole position so Im looking forward to going back there again, and maybe repeating that particular feat. Each team will have been pushing hard during the break to find some extra performance from new parts. So it will certainly be an interesting weekend." Red Bull will be counting on making strides after a dismal start to Sebastian Vettels title defence. Vettel has yet to finish better than third place, and has twice been ordered by his team to let new teammate Daniel Ricciardo pass him for higher finishes in the last two races. Vettel said a lot would depend on doing well in Saturdays qualifying because the track design offers few chances to challenge front-runners. The Montmelo circuit features one long straightaway before the first corner, which is considered the best for overtaking. It is also known to be tough on tires. Paul Hembery, the director of tire provider Pirelli, said that despite the tracks abrasive surface and high temperatures they expected teams to need only three pit stops instead of four as they have made in the past. Ferraris Fernando Alonso proved last season that wise tire management and smooth pit stops can be enough to compensate for a lack of overall speed. Alonso enters the race in a distant third place, with 41 points to Rosbergs 79 and Hamiltons 75, but after managing to finally reach the podium at Shanghai in Ferraris first race under new team principal Marco Mattiacci. The two-time former world champion has a strong record in front of his home fans, with wins here both last year and in 2006 to give him seven career podium finishes at the Spanish GP. His victory one year ago was Ferraris last as a team. With Alonso and teammate Kimi Raikkonen far behind the pacesetters, the Italian team will need a near perfect weekend to break its poor run. "With Fernando weve seen an extraordinary level of performance, scavenging every possible point at every possible opportunity," Ferrari technical director James Allison said. "We are learning how to get performance out of this new set of regulations, and hopefully to make this car more competitive. The key to a successful season is to keep improving your car at every race." Buck Ewing Jersey . Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley told local media in comments published Wednesday that John Tomic would not be allowed into Melbourne Park in any official capacity or as a spectator. Dave Concepcion Jersey .ca NHL Power Rankings, ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks. Moving up, from 10 to seven this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins have won seven straight despite a depleted lineup. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/1125s-ty...ersey-reds.html. Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs Friday at 8 p.m. ET on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Cheap Reds Jerseys .com) - Will Conant booted a 39-yard field goal as time expired and Air Force played spoiler with a 27-24 win over 21st- ranked Colorado State on Friday. Frank Robinson Jersey . Didnt need any help this time. Wood beat Cincinnati for the first time in his career, repeatedly pitching out of threats for seven innings, and Chicago stalled the Reds week-long surge with a 2-0 victory Monday night.Scotlands players cannot give any more, says manager Gordon Strachan following Tuesdays 3-0 defeat to Slovakia. The Scots performed well in the first half in Trnava and although they were undone by a Robert Mak goal in the 18th minute, they looked capable of getting back on level terms.But they were less productive in the second period, with Mak adding a second before Adam Nemec scored the third to see the visitors slip down to third in the World Cup qualifying Group F table. Despite the loss, Strachan was quick to praise his players for their efforts at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho and said they could not be trying harder. Highlights from Scotland’s Group F World Cup qualifier against Slovakia They cant give any more. The people I actually feel sorry for tonight is not myself, not the coaching staff but you feel for the players, he told Sky Sports after the game. They put so much in and for the fans that travelled all the way over here, they were terrific. Were 3-0 down and theres nothing drastic going on, but they are encouraging the players. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ?￡6.99. No contract. They kept plugging away and kept trying to play the right way to try and get a goal to get us back into it and we had a few chances. We left ourselves open a few timmes but they got stuck in.ddddddddddddThey really are a great bunch in terms of not giving up and plugging away and its heartwarming working with these guys. Russell Martin says Scotlands 3-0 defeat to Slovakia is tough to take The opening goal was a bittersweet one for Scotland as Steven Fletcher was fouled in the build-up without being awarded a free-kick to set Slovakia on their way. Scotland are now one point from a play-off place and three off Group F leaders England, who they play next at Wembley in a months time. That was perplexing [the first goal]. Im wondering how he cant see that. That didnt help us, thats for sure. Were needing that wee break now and then, Strachan added. Scotland can win at Wembley Scotland can win at Wembley against England next month, says Neil McCann Were one point away from a play-off place at this moment. What weve got to do is find the right system to play the next game.We dont usually tinker with it to much. We had an extra midfield player tonight which we felt worked for a long period of the game. We will just have to look at it again. Also See: Scotland slump to Slovakia loss As it happened Scotland can win at Wembley World Cup Qualifying tables ' ' '