The Bahrain GP thread!

[Ranger]

Pretty stoked that the next race is only a week away. I would like to see both Brawn's and Red Bull's make it to the finish uninterrupted to see the actual difference between them. Hopefully it's an entertaining race nonetheless. :up:

[ozrevhead]

Pretty stoked that the next race is only a week away. I would like to see both Brawn's and Red Bull's make it to the finish uninterrupted to see the actual difference between them. Hopefully it's an entertaining race nonetheless. :up:
only a week - my goodness gracious me! :D

Cant wait till Bahrain - HOPEFULLY another RB 1-2 (this time with a order swapsi :p )

[christophulus]

Bahrain looks set to be the first "proper" race - no rain or SC. I think that'll prove conclusively who's got the fastest car before everyone brings a ton of updates to Spain.

[ShiftingGears]

only a week - my goodness gracious me! :D

Cant wait till Bahrain - HOPEFULLY another RB 1-2 (this time with a order swapsi :p )

:up:

[Ranger]

Bahrain looks set to be the first "proper" race - no rain or SC. I think that'll prove conclusively who's got the fastest car before everyone brings a ton of updates to Spain.

Could be another Qatar MotoGP episode...only rains 3 times a year there but it arrived just in time for a complete washout! :p :

[ioan]

I think that this win might give Red Bull Racing wings to overhaul BrawnGP.
Luckily I have one of my favorites doing good, with Ferrari's depressing stupidity it was becoming difficult to wake up early to watch the races.

[ioan]

Could be another Qatar MotoGP episode...only rains 3 times a year there but it arrived just in time for a complete washout! :p :

Now that would be something, unless we get a sand storm! :D

[christophulus]

Now that would be something, unless we get a sand storm! :D

Happened in testing back in February...

[ioan]

Happened in testing back in February...

I know. Maybe we will have a race on Tuesday in that case!

[jens]

With the rain possibility being almost non-existent, we will finally get an opportunity to really evaluate the pecking order properly. Going by history, Toyota and Ferrari should be stronger at Sakhir than recently (Chinese GP), but 2009 has so far proved that the past doesn't count much, so we'll see...

[christophulus]

I'm hoping the Bahrain GP is slightly more exciting than it has been previously. I'm actually going to miss waking up early on a Sunday morning for the F1, seems to add to the excitement somehow :)

[ozrevhead]

Could be another Qatar MotoGP episode...only rains 3 times a year there but it arrived just in time for a complete washout! :p :
mby they should bring boats as well so if it does rain we can have a safe way to continue the race :p :

[gloomyDAY]

Trulli FTW?

Bahrain has the perfect conditions for Toyota, hot! Therefore, they will get the desired amount of heat in their tires. If Glock & Trulli can't pull off a good result here, then their title ambitions are done.

[ShiftingGears]

It'd be good to see Toyota get their first win here. It might be their best chance - if they can't get it when the conditions are right for them, I doubt they'll ever get it. They don't strike me as a team that can turn situations that aren't quite right for them into advantageous situations.

[mstillhere]

Bahrain looks set to be the first "proper" race - no rain or SC. I think that'll prove conclusively who's got the fastest car before everyone brings a ton of updates to Spain.

Maybe e sand strom

[Ranger]

Maybe e sand strom

Yep, or at least it will be windy this weekend, could play all sorts of havoc with the sand (if we haven't had enough this year!).

[leopard]

Happened in testing back in February...
yeah the storm was troubling drivers...

[Ranger]

Ahem...
http://www.bahrainweather.com/FiveDayForecast.aspx

Forecast For: Sunday Date: 4/26/2009

Weather: Dust haze with rising sand in places
Wind n'ly 15 to 20kt reaching 22 to 27kt at times during the day.
Sea State 2 to 3ft inshore and 4 to 6ft offshore.
Max. Temp 32 ºC
Min. Temp 23 ºC

"Dust haze with rising sand in places" ?? :eek:

[555-04Q2]

Could be another Qatar MotoGP episode...only rains 3 times a year there but it arrived just in time for a complete washout! :p :

Indeed. I frequently visit Dubai and remember in mid November 2008 sitting down to a lovely 5 star buffet meal with my wife in an open air resturant. Not a hope in hell of rain the weatherman said until half way through my meal, it started p!ss!ng with rain! We never finished all the courses :(

I had never seen rain in Dubai before that, ever. Nothing is a guarantee.

[Valve Bounce]

Ahem...
http://www.bahrainweather.com/FiveDayForecast.aspx

Forecast For: Sunday Date: 4/26/2009

Weather: Dust haze with rising sand in places
Wind n'ly 15 to 20kt reaching 22 to 27kt at times during the day.
Sea State 2 to 3ft inshore and 4 to 6ft offshore.
Max. Temp 32 ºC
Min. Temp 23 ºC

"Dust haze with rising sand in places" ?? :eek:

I worked in Al Khobar, which is just across the water - you could see the lights in Bahrein at night.

We had a dust fog once - the fine sand/dust resembled a fog and reduced visibility somewhat. Never saw rain, but the humidity was terrible - it was around 105% :(

[Ari]

Rain? bah!

[ArrowsFA1]

Just caught a glimpse of the Brawn on track...no Virgin stickers :confused:

[Dave B]

What is fascinating this session is the FOM "ghost car" replays - showing two cars' differing racing lines superimposed. The only problem was that I glanced up and thought that Button had sideswiped Hamilton :eek: Fantastic use of technology :up:

[Ranger]

They have Virgin Galactic in front of the sidepods.

That car really needs to get some more sponsorship on it though, the livery looks pretty ghastly to be honest.

[Ranger]

What is fascinating this session is the FOM "ghost car" replays - showing two cars' differing racing lines superimposed. The only problem was that I glanced up and thought that Button had sideswiped Hamilton :eek: Fantastic use of technology :up:

I thought so as well. Very neat bit of computer trickery. :up:

[ArrowsFA1]

What is fascinating this session is the FOM "ghost car" replays - showing two cars' differing racing lines superimposed. The only problem was that I glanced up and thought that Button had sideswiped Hamilton :eek: Fantastic use of technology :up:
Yeah, loving that :up: Interesting to see the different lines into the corner, and the effect that has on acceleration out of the corner. Good stuff :s mokin:

Panic over about Virgin :p

[pino]

Pos Driver Team Time Laps

1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:33.647 + 19
2. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:33.907 + 0.260 17
3. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:33.938 + 0.291 17
4. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:34.227 + 0.580 24
5. Button Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) 1:34.434 + 0.787 15
6. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:34.502 + 0.855 24
7. Barrichello Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) 1:34.531 + 0.884 18
8. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:34.589 + 0.942 17
9. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:34.827 + 1.180 21
10. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:34.827 + 1.180 19
11. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:34.880 + 1.233 24
12. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:34.938 + 1.291 21
13. Piquet Renault (B) 1:34.974 + 1.327 21
14. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:35.021 + 1.374 18
15. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:35.036 + 1.389 22
16. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:35.042 + 1.395 16
17. Glock Toyota (B) 1:35.333 + 1.686 20
18. Alonso Renault (B) 1:35.348 + 1.701 24
19. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:35.353 + 1.706 22
20. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:35.369 + 1.722 15

source : autosport.com

[AndyL]

Yeah, loving that :up: Interesting to see the different lines into the corner, and the effect that has on acceleration out of the corner. Good stuff :s mokin:

I suspect the difference in acceleration on the Lewis v. Jenson one was more down to KERS than different lines. Very interesting new feature though, I hope we see lots more of it.

[AndyL]

McLaren looking pretty handy at this early stage! They certainly seem to be going in the right direction with that car. No doubt Lewis's 1:33.6 was a banzai low fuel effort, but it was pretty early in the session and on the harder tyres I believe, so impressive speed nevertheless. Was the quickest by 0.7 until people started putting the soft tyres on at the end.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

If it's going to be windy then I wonder if Red Bulls engine cover 'sail' is vulnerable to crosswinds?

[ShiftingGears]

Who are the commentators with Ant on FiveLive?

[Ranger]

Who are the commentators with Ant on FiveLive?

David Croft and Ian Philips.

IMO Croft is much better than Legard. Even though Five Live is for radio, his commentary works very well with TV pictures:

http://www.justin.tv/vip_racing_xtra

[pino]

Pos Driver Team Time Laps

1. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:33.339 36
2. Alonso Renault (B) 1:33.530 + 0.191 25
3. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:33.616 + 0.277 37
4. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:33.661 + 0.322 29
5. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:33.676 + 0.337 32
6. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:33.694 + 0.355 35
7. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:33.763 + 0.424 30
8. Glock Toyota (B) 1:33.764 + 0.425 37
9. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:33.885 + 0.546 30
10. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:33.899 + 0.560 36
11. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:33.994 + 0.655 30
12. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:34.025 + 0.686 23
13. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:34.127 + 0.788 37
14. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:34.366 + 1.027 26
15. Piquet Renault (B) 1:34.411 + 1.072 29
16. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:34.564 + 1.225 34
17. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:34.605 + 1.266 31
18. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:34.670 + 1.331 28
19. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:34.764 + 1.425 35
20. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:34.790 + 1.451 33

source : autosport.com

16th and 18th place for Ferrari :s

[Ranger]

Felipe looked utterly defeated from his body language after stepping out of the car.

[I am evil Homer]

Agreed even though it's practice he looked like he just wanted to go home already and we all know Massa isn't a quitter. BMW's aren't looking too hot either.

[jens]

Usual teams in front after FP2. :) I agree with those, who have said that Bahrain GP might be one of the best chances for Toyota to win a race in 2009. Whether it's the best chance of all, is a bit difficult to tell, depending on car development, which is hard to predict. I'd expect Toyota to have a faster development pace than Brawn GP over the season, but at the same time chasers may be threatening too.

[555-04Q2]

Wow, not looking good for Ferrari at all :(

Brawn GP mid-field :?:

[jens]

Brawn GP mid-field :?:

Nope, not yet. They didn't show all their cards at FP's. :)

[Psycho!]

Only a sandstorm will save Ferrari from their worst start in history....Puuuuph..... :(

[race aficionado]

Hot Dam!!!!!!!!!
:hot:

or VB on fire.

:s mokin:

[AndyL]

Usual teams in front after FP2. :)

And the usual teams at the rear: Ferrari, McLaren, BMW and Renault. I still cannot get used to that!

[Sonic]

I'm well impressed with force india - 7th and 12th is impressive regardless of fuel loads etc. I'd be laughing my rocks off if mac end up 3rd of the merc teams.

[veeten]

you know who would find this season interesting?

Odykas. :) I wonder where he is... :look:

[Demonhill]

Read here for summary of Second Practice.

(link removed by Moderator)

[Cooper_S]

How many practices have Williams topped in the first 3 GP weekends this season..

would be great for the championship if Niko could get his maiden this Sunday

[Demonhill]

You have a very valid point. Would be great though :)

[Valve Bounce]

With the banning of testing during the season, I just wonder how much these F1 teams are using practice for testing purposes, especially P1. A quick glance of the top times in P1 will probably bear little resemblance to the qualifying order.

To add to the confusion of these times, I reckon that some of the teams will be testing new diffusers to keep up with the bodgy diffuser brigade, not to mention those members of the bodgy diffuser brigade who wish to upgrade their diffusers to keep up with the triple diffusers.

[RJL25]

some teams always run light on friday, and other teams always run heavy, and the majority do a mixture of the two.

For example Williams ALWAYS runs light on friday, BMW always run heavy. Can't read anything into it unfortunately, you don't know anything about how people are performing untill Saturday these days

[christophulus]

Yet more blocking in Q1. Nonetheless even the Force Indias and STR were pretty close to the rest.

[Daniel]

Nice work from Sutil there......... Ruined Marks race

[Ranger]

How much of a block was it? I didn't see it.

[Daniel]

Absolut block

[Daniel]

Fair enough Sutil will apologise. Bad luck for Mark though! Used up all of his luck last week.

[christophulus]

Sutil said he blocked Webber because he thought he was on an out lap. He's gone to apologise but big mistake from him and the team.

[Ranger]

Just saw it.

Who the hell...

a) Stays on the racing line on an out-lap?
b) Swerves across the track in the braking zone??

Penalty deserved, no doubt.

Probably the clumsiest thing I've ever seen in quite a few years in F1.

[Dave B]

That's the trouble: fair play to Sutil for apologising, and no doubt he'll get penalised, but it does nothing to help Mark save for moving him up one solitary place on the grid.

[Daniel]

Better than nothing though Dave :) Sutil said his team told him nothing. Makes sense though

[Ranger]

Trulli from Glock!

[Daniel]

Trulli for pole!

[christophulus]

Looks like the Ferraris are loaded up on fuel which could help them out. Great 1-2 for Toyota, is a win tomorrow possible?

[christophulus]

Pos Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3
1. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:32.779 1:32.671 1:33.431
2. Glock Toyota (B) 1:33.165 1:32.613 1:33.712
3. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:32.680 1:32.474 1:34.015
4. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:32.978 1:32.842 1:34.044
5. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:32.851 1:32.877 1:34.196
6. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:33.116 1:32.842 1:34.239
7. Alonso Renault (B) 1:33.627 1:32.860 1:34.578
8. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:33.297 1:33.014 1:34.818
9. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:33.672 1:33.166 1:35.134
10. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:33.117 1:32.827 1:35.380
11. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:33.479
12. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:33.221
13. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:33.495
14. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:33.377
15. Piquet Renault (B) 1:33.608
16. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:33.722
17. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:33.753
18. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:33.910
19. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:34.038
20. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:34.159

[pino]

Grandissimo Jarno :up: :D

[ozrevhead]

That's the trouble: fair play to Sutil for apologising, and no doubt he'll get penalised, but it does nothing to help Mark save for moving him up one solitary place on the grid.
too little to late Adrian :mad:

out of all the F1 qualifying this has to suck the most :(

[Daniel]

Oz, they guy made a mistake and admitted it? What else can he do?

[DexDexter]

Interesting session, the Ferraris, especially Kimi showed promise in the second session, but just heard Kimi say that again they basically forced him to use all the soft tires in the first and second sessions and he drove the whole third session with used tires which can be seen in the laptime.

[F1boat]

Grandissimo Jarno :up: :D

Fantastic! I hope that he will win tomorrow!

[EuroTroll]

Fantastic! I hope that he will win tomorrow!

He won't. ;)

Hi Pino! :wave:

:p :

[ArrowsFA1]

First Brawn, then Red Bull...can Toyota take their first win tomorrow :confused: :s mokin:

[veeten]

Grandissimo Jarno :up: :D

a very happy bunny, our pino is. :)

[DexDexter]

First Brawn, then Red Bull...can Toyota take their first win tomorrow :confused: :s mokin:

I wish they could but I have a feeling that they will disappear into the pits quite early.

[veeten]

First Brawn, then Red Bull...can Toyota take their first win tomorrow :confused: :s mokin:

Haven't counted too much out so far. Who knows? :)

[pino]

He won't. ;)

Hi Pino! :wave:



Hello and welcome back mate :up:


a very happy bunny, our pino is. :)

I am indeed ! :D

[F1boat]

I wish they could but I have a feeling that they will disappear into the pits quite early.

Dex, it is possible however, that Lewis will get in P3 cause of the KERS and then Toyota may open a gap. Given the temper of Vettel and Lewis I will not rule out an idiocy in the first corner as well.

[Ranger]

I wish they could but I have a feeling that they will disappear into the pits quite early.

So did Red Bull in China... and they won by 40 seconds!

Good news for them is that I'm pretty sure this isn't one of their legendary 'Suzuka Specials' that they pulled their for so many years. :p :

[DexDexter]

Dex, it is possible however, that Lewis will get in P3 cause of the KERS and then Toyota may open a gap. Given the temper of Vettel and Lewis I will not rule out an idiocy in the first corner as well.

For me the best option would be if they simply let the Ferraris through into the lead :) . But your scenario is quite possible as is Hamilton being too aggressive into the first corner.

[ozrevhead]

Grandissimo Jarno :up: :D
as we say down under - Pino is one happy little vegemite :D

Congrats to Jarno - I would love to see him win

If I understand correctly his region was one of the ones hit by the earthquake in Italy - Its going to be a emotional Jarno if he wins!

[Wasted Talent]

Oz, they guy made a mistake and admitted it? What else can he do?


Agree!

Looked to me like Sutil saw Webber a little too late, and moved to the right, but Webber went right as well

Soemtimes these things just happen

WT

[pino]

If I understand correctly his region was one of the ones hit by the earthquake in Italy -

Yes it was the Abruzzo region, and you can read it on his tracksuit :)

[veeten]

Agree!

Looked to me like Sutil saw Webber a little too late, and moved to the right, but Webber went right as well

Soemtimes these things just happen

WT

then again, we went through all this last season with drivers on their cool-down laps being in the way of those making their fast laps. What happened to using those rules that were made back then?

[Firstgear]

Yes it was the Abruzzo region, and you can read it on his tracksuit :)
I was wondering what that was that he was pointing at after getting out of the car.

Well, I had Toyota 1 & 2 in my pickems for last week. Won't be disappointed if it turns out I was off by a week.

[ozrevhead]

Agree!

Looked to me like Sutil saw Webber a little too late, and moved to the right, but Webber went right as well

Soemtimes these things just happen

WT
Where I sit sorry doesnt cut it - Mark's race is ruined and no sorry's or penalties can undo or change that

[gloomyDAY]

Trulli FTW?

Bahrain has the perfect conditions for Toyota, hot! Therefore, they will get the desired amount of heat in their tires. If Glock & Trulli can't pull off a good result here, then their title ambitions are done.Now I'm just dying to see everyone's weight/fuel loads! Looks as if the fastest car out there was Vettel's RB5.

[markabilly]

trulli amazing

[ozrevhead]

trulli amazing
lol :D

Any fueloads out yet?

[Dave B]

Just published: http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/f1_media/Documents/bhn09_weights.pdf

Brawns surprisingly light, Alonso quite light, BMWs heavier than most planets.

[DexDexter]

Just published: http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/f1_media/Documents/bhn09_weights.pdf

So Toyotas are light....Kimi and Rosberg the heaviest in top 10... looks very interesting.

[pettersolberg29]

My God are the BMWs heavy - almost 700kg! I suppose they are one-stopping and hoping for something to happen in front of them.

[veeten]

heaviest being BMW Sauber with 698.6 & 696.3 respectively. One-stopper strategy, I guess.

RBR has changed their strategy from Shanghai, being heavier than Brawn GP this weekend.

[gloomyDAY]

Vettel has a shot at the win.

He's fueled heavier than the Brawns and Toyotas.

[gloomyDAY]

RBR has changed their strategy from Shanghai, being heavier than Brawn GP this weekend.Could pay off. Toyotas will pit first and Vettel had the fastest car in all of qualifying. If he can push hard and make a big enough gap he can at least leap one of the two front-runners. I just hope Vettel's start is nice and clean.

[DexDexter]

Pitstop predictions:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2009/04/25/sebastian-vettel-carrying-more-fuel-than-toyotas-bahrain-gp-fuel-and-pit-stops/

[pettersolberg29]

How many laps is the race?

[markabilly]

weights:
Hamilton 652.5
Kovalainen 678.5*
Massa 664.5
Raikkonen 671.5
Kubica 698.6*
Heidfeld 696.3*
Alsonso 650.5
Piquet 677.6*
Trulli 648.5
Glock 643.0
Bourdais 667.5*
Buemi 678.5*
Webber 656.0*
Vettel 659.0
Rosberg 670.5
Nakajima 680.9*
Sutil 679.0*
Fisichella 652.0*
Button 652.5
Barrichelo 649.0


* Declared Weight

Glock and then trulli are the lightest, Trulli better hope Glock (or vice versa) gets out in front while the other acts as a major roadblock, or any leads will be shortlived

[jens]

Forza Jarno!!!! 1-2 for Toyota!! Fantastic, incredible!!! :hot: :bounce: :hot: Go-go-go!!

And all this was achieved with reasonable fuel loads too. Toyota is lighter than chasers, but not by much especially considering, how big was Toyota's advantage in Q3. I can't pray enough for the ultimate success from tomorrow's race.

----

Webber's unluck continues. :\ Just when he has a great car finally, all kinds of things happen. Oh dear. Bourdais dead last? He's not gonna last long with that...

Interesting that Kimi was faster than Felipe both in Q1 and Q2. Something has been wrong with FM's quali pace this year - I wonder, what?

McLaren continues to improve in the hands of Hamilton. :up: They seem to become a serious contender sooner or later. On the flipside Brawn is dropping backwards with horrific pace. In Australia they were faster than anyone else by a second, after that they have been performing consistently worse. But this only means that the rest of the season will be exciting!

[christophulus]

Vettel in a strong position for the race then, unless Hamilton or Alonso manage to jump a few places at the start with the KERS.

Ferrari might even feature later on if the car goes the distance

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Vettel looks very good then. And Hamilton now has the pace to match Button! :eek:

Whats the deal with Hamilton having a different front wing to Kovalainnen?

[I am evil Homer]

Kovi has the new front wing this weekend...I guess they've still working on new bits and pieces

[christophulus]

Hamilton now has the pace to match Button! :eek:

I only just noticed that :eek: . Should be a good fight tomorrow - all of the top six can win and even the Ferraris have a chance of a good result.

Brawn's not heavier than their rivals...lighter than Vettel....very, very interesting.

BMW....well, it's their only option really, considering how slow they were in Q2.

The same, I guess, for Ferrari.

Toyota have got to hope that Vettel doesn't split them at the first corner....otherwise they will face a major problem.

[F1boat]

I think that with the KERS Hamilton might be able to overtake Jenson as well as Vettel and maybe even Glock.

[jens]

Considering how much talk there was about sandbagging in winter, it must be said that BMW's sandbags are really heavy and they have struggled to get them out of the car. McLaren is clearly more efficient in getting rid of them. :)

[Big Ben]

So if toyota wins tomorrow we have the 8th team that wins in less than 2 years, right? It´s quite a weird situation. I guess Williams and Force India should start pushing really hard because it is their turn

[jens]

So if toyota wins tomorrow we have the 8th team that wins in less than 2 years, right? It´s quite a weird situation. I guess Williams and Force India should start pushing really hard because it is their turn

Not just 2 years, but even less than 1 year!

But yeah, when for years we have had max 2-3 teams, who were capable of winning a race on merit each season, then now it looks like we are entering the era of early 80's and before, when we had clearly more top teams and a lot of teams/drivers had the opportunity to shine. :) In 2010 with budget cap and potentially more teams the competition could be even crazier!

[gloomyDAY]

Not just 2 years, but even less than 1 year!

But yeah, when for years we have had max 2-3 teams, who were capable of winning a race on merit each season, then now it looks like we are entering the era of early 80's and before, when we had clearly more top teams and a lot of teams/drivers had the opportunity to shine. :) In 2010 with budget cap and potentially more teams the competition could be even better!Edit.

Also, I'm getting well-adjusted to seeing different teams at the top.
Variety adds to the spectacle and fan interest.

[UltimateDanGTR]

By the end of the season the battle for 1st in a race could be something like this:

Brawn vs Toyota vs Red Bull vs Mclaren vs Ferrari vs Williams vs Renault vs BMW.

Now theres a thought.........

and if its like that next year, with prodrive, lola and USF1 in the mix, no refuelling next year and no tyre changes,

itll be like the early 80s all over again! just safer! and with the same amount of ridiculous politics!


and then bernie will ruin it all, thats were things end..........

[DexDexter]

Brawn's not heavier than their rivals...lighter than Vettel....very, very interesting.

BMW....well, it's their only option really, considering how slow they were in Q2.

The same, I guess, for Ferrari.

Toyota have got to hope that Vettel doesn't split them at the first corner....otherwise they will face a major problem.

Ferrari, Kimi's one, wasn't slow in quali 2, in fact quite the opposite.

[PSfan]

Am I the only one who is gonna be fixated on Button and Hamilton at the start? Both Drivers are starting with the same fuel load, Button's gonna 1 place higher but on the dirty side of the track, and Hamilton has KERS giving his Mercedes a little more grunt at the start... provided neither driver F it up, it should really tell us how valuable KERS really is...

[Valve Bounce]

Kovi has the new front wing this weekend...I guess they've still working on new bits and pieces

Yeah!! I think they ran out of Araldite.

[jens]

I'm pretty sure Hamilton will rise after the start (Alonso with KERS moved from P9 to P3 in Malaysia). Actually I'm afraid that Hamilton may threaten even Toyotas into T1 in fight for P1!

[Valve Bounce]

My God are the BMWs heavy - almost 700kg! I suppose they are one-stopping and hoping for something to happen in front of them.

Surely they must two stop if they are going to run that chewing gum soft tyre for 10 to 12 laps. That stuff won't last long in the Bahrein heat. Maybe they will run a short sprint of 10 laps near the end after a splash and dash pit stop.

[PSfan]

I was wondering if there is any rules regarding how many laps a car needs to put on to fulfill the 1 of each compound rule? Considering how bad the softs where in Australia I'm surprised no one decided to run them for only 1 lap during a safety car...

[aryan]

Surely they must two stop if they are going to run that chewing gum soft tyre for 10 to 12 laps. That stuff won't last long in the Bahrein heat. Maybe they will run a short sprint of 10 laps near the end after a splash and dash pit stop.

No, apparently the super-soft is the tyre of choice in Bahrain. The Mediums need time to heat, and lose grip very quickly. Nearly everyone will start on the soft tyre. The 700kg BMWs will probably be the only cars starting on the hard tyre.

Running a 1-stop strategy is definitely an option here. It can bring the BMWs well into play if there is a safety car or something (I hope not). Considering how slow they were in Q2, I think they have made the right choice, and at least have something to look forward to in the race.

[aryan]

I was wondering if there is any rules regarding how many laps a car needs to put on to fulfill the 1 of each compound rule?

No there is not. You can get away with doing one lap on them. No one does that though, because that really stuffs up your strategy.

[aryan]

Bad luck for Mark though! Used up all of his luck last week.

Yes, that man has to be the most unlucky F1 driver of the decade :mad:

[ShiftingGears]

Nice work Sutil :up:

[Daniel]

Brawns..... Wow!

[UltimateDanGTR]

and its button who crosses the line first......................again

Im glad Bernie's wins system hasnt been put into place otherwise the championship would already be a bout half sewn up.

but congrats to brawn for yet another tactical masterpiece........

[VkmSpouge]

Well done to Jenson Button on a fine win. Out braking Lewis Hamilton early on was pretty crucial to his win. Jarno Trulli and Sebastien Vettel taking well deserved podiums too.
Well done to Ferrari for getting their first points of the year and getting both cars to the finish (though not trouble free).
BMW Sauber really suffering today.

[gloomyDAY]

Brawn kicking butt.

Must be the pink shirts.

[F1boat]

I AM SO HAPPY!!! Go Jenson! Wonderful victory!

[pino]

Only a podium for Jarno, not what I expected :(

[Dave B]

Only a podium for Jarno, not what I expected :(
Sadly it's exactly what I expected. Great in qually, a train in the race; in many ways a microcosm of his career.

[veeten]

Only a podium for Jarno, not what I expected :(

I think he did very well. Means that the car is up to scratch. :)

[F1boat]

Yes. A driver should be compared to his teammate and compared to Glock, Jarno was phenomenal.

[EuroTroll]

Only a podium for Jarno, not what I expected :(

I hate to be a b****rd and say "I told you so", but hey - I did tell you so! :p : Got to agree with Mr. Brockman here..

Still, a fine result for Jarno, this. :up:

[jens]

Only a podium for Jarno, not what I expected :(

What a weird year we are having. :p : Never before in Jarno's career I have felt "only a podium" place is a disappointing result, but now it is. What a turnaround, maybe should be satisfied with it after all?


Sadly it's exactly what I expected. Great in qually, a train in the race; in many ways a microcosm of his career.

I think Trulli himself did a fine job in the race, so that "train-talk" shouldn't be a criticism on him. Phenomenal pace in qualifying made his race result look a bit bad. 0,3 secs quicker than Glock on heavier fuel load and others had no chance against him at all. Slick tyres have clearly enabled Jarno to shine, giving him extra grip and confidence, which especially in his case is vital to go really quick.

[Daniel]

Only a podium for Jarno, not what I expected :(
I think Jarno did well. Perhaps he could have done well but he was up against Button and Vettel! All things considered that was a stellar drive.

[aryan]

I think Jarno did well. Yes, we all secretly hoped he would win this one, because he is just such a likeable guy, but in the end, I think he did really well. Compare his lap times on the prime tyre with his team mate's. That should tell you all.

[ShiftingGears]

He did well. Although I have to say that I expected that they'd go backwards during the race.

Anyway, with the amount of time cars were stuck behind one another at Bahrain, I have to say that the racing at Barcelona isn't shaping up too well...(but is it ever?)