Bahrain GP Thread - Contains Practice/Qualifying/Race Spoilers - Sponsored by Bernie's get rich Schemes

[Fernando]

Having served up a fascinating battle in 2012 between Sebastian Vettel and both Lotuses, the Formula 1 circus arrives in Bahrain for round four of the Championship.

Mark Webber will be eager to bounce back from a nightmare weekend in China and prove a point to the world, whilst the pressure is on Mexican pair Esteban Gutierrez and Sergio Perez to deliver after disappointing starts to the season.

Kimi Raikkonen came close to victory last year and will be hoping to go one better and claim his second win of 2013 which would take the Iceman to the top of the Drivers' Championship

THE 2013 BAHRAIN GP IN A NUTSHELL
Track: Bahrain International Circuit. Permanent track.
Race start time: 1pm UK time Sunday (3pm local).
Laps: 57.
Track length: 5.412km.
DRS Zones: Two - Pit straight and backstraight, with separate detection points.
Driver steward: Mika Salo
Lap record: Michael Schumacher - 1:30.252 (Ferrari; 2004).
2012 pole: Sebastian Vettel - 1:32.422 (Red Bull).

FORM GUIDE
With Ferrari showing good race pace in China, the signs look good for the Scuderia in Bahrain. Between them, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa have won five of the eight grands prix to date, although two of Alonso's wins came in a Renault, whilst Ferrari themselves have picked up the Constructors' trophy on four occasions.

2012 result: 1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 2. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus); 3. Romain Grosjean (Lotus); 4. Mark Webber (Red Bull); 5. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes); 6. Paul Di Resta (Force India); 7. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari); 8. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren); 9. Felipe Massa (Ferrari); 10. Michael Schumacher (Mercedes).

Last five winners: 2012: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull); 2010: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari); 2009: Jenson Button (Brawn); 2008: Felipe Massa (Ferrari); 2007: Felipe Massa (Ferrari).

TYRE ALLOCATION
A week on from a race dominated by tyre degradation, Pirelli are taking the two hardest compounds in their range to Bahrain this weekend - the white-marked medium compound, which will serve as the option tyre, and the orange-marked hard compound, which will be the prime tyre. Thus, both compounds are a step harder than they were in 2012, with Pirelli having made a late change to the option compound.

The main demands placed on the tyres this weekend will come from traction and braking, whilst the circuit itself will be dirty, given its limited use throughout the year, coupled with sand blowing in from the desert. However, unlike in China, the GP2 Series are on the support card, meaning they will help clean up the circuit and lay down more Pirelli rubber.

These factors coupled with high ambient temperatures mean Pirelli feel "Bahrain is one of the most demanding tracks of the year in terms of longitudinal energy going into the tyres: especially under braking in turns one and 14, and traction in turn 10

Weather Forecast: http://www.enterf1.com/f1-weather/Bahrain.asp

Source: Sky Sports

[dyrewolfe]

Well, hopefully the tyre choices will mean we won't see the ridiculous non-spectacle of the track being empty for half the qualifying sessions.

If we get a proper pole shoot-out, I reckon we could see an interesting Red Bull - Ferrari battle at the front, with (Renault) Lotus and Mercedes slugging it out for the rest of the top 6 spots.

Interesting to hear Kovaleinen has rejoined Caterham as reserve driver. Apparently he is mainly to help with car development and coaching of Pic and VDG.

Personally I think he'd be more use as a race driver, but I suppose they don't want to undermine their two youngsters.

[SteveG]

This generic track is a kind of flyaway version of Catalunya and so after Sunday we should have a better idea of just where everyone sits.

Expect Red Bull and their superior rear downforce to make a comeback for this one - just hope Ferrari can keep that flaming finger retracted.

Dark horse - Merc.

[Fernando]

Hankook, a South Korean company, has emerged as an alternative official tyre supplier for formula one.

Currently the subject of intense criticism of its heavily-degrading 2013 product, F1's official supplier Pirelli has said it wants to stay on the grid beyond its initial three-year tender that runs out at the end of the season.

But the Italian marque's F1 chief Paul Hembery said last week that Pirelli is nervous it has not yet been offered a new deal for 2014 and beyond.

"We cannot remain in such a situation of uncertainty," he warned.

When Pirelli was given the nod to enter F1 for the 2011 season, another major contender for the contract was Hankook.

At the time, the Korean company's chief Hyan Bum Cho said he had negotiated personally with Bernie Ecclestone.

[SteveG]

Not really sure if the supplier of the tyres will make any difference to those of us wanting flat out racing back as Pirelli were instructed to make them crumbly. Hankook may well be asked to do the same.

Also this belongs in the general gossip thread - what happened to it? Seems to have disappeared.

[Guest]

Changing Tyre supplier will have a limited effect. Bernie demanded exciting and unpredictable racing and, however artificial it all may be, along with DRS, this type of tyre has produced a good show and has attracted more casual fans to the sport. Bernie is not suddenly going to make a u-turn and return to a tyre which could bring f1 back to days of old and processions. There are other areas of the sport and regulations that need changing before tyre suppliers, in order to get the real racing we and the more gifted racers want.

As for Bahrain, expect Red Bull to be rejuvinated this weekend and come back strong. Think this will be a defining weekend for Mercedes that could say how realistic their championship ambitions are. Not expecting a McLaren improvement until the Barcelona package is revealed.

[GSC]

Real Talk: The Bridgestones of 2010 were terrible. Every race was a 1 stop and people complained then.

[monty junior]

Practice 1 times

1 4 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:34.487
2 3 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:34.564
3 9 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:34.621
4 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:34.790
5 14 Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:34.949
6 5 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:35.069
7 2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:35.101
8 15 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:35.119
9 7 Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault 1:35.345
10 8 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1:35.611
11 6 Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes 1:35.640
12 17 Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1:35.783
13 10 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:35.792
14 18 Jean-Eric Vergne STR-Ferrari 1:36.014
15 19 Daniel Ricciardo STR-Ferrari 1:36.485
16 16 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1:36.498
17 11 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari 1:36.755
18 12 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 1:37.214
19 20 Charles Pic Caterham-Renault 1:37.850
20 21 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1:38.401
21 23 Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth 1:39.445
22 22 Rodolfo Gonzalez Marussia-Cosworth 1:40.215

Practice 2 times

1 7 Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault 1:34.154
2 2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:34.184
3 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:34.282
4 3 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:34.310
5 14 Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:34.543
6 4 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:34.552
7 8 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1:34.631
8 9 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:34.666
9 15 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:34.932
10 10 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:34.976
11 5 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:35.356
12 18 Jean-Eric Vergne STR-Ferrari 1:35.506
13 6 Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes 1:35.589
14 19 Daniel Ricciardo STR-Ferrari 1:35.761
15 11 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari 1:36.133
16 16 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1:36.279
17 17 Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1:36.579
18 12 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 1:36.616
19 20 Charles Pic Caterham-Renault 1:37.061
20 23 Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth 1:37.313
21 22 Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth 1:37.363
22 21 Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault 1:37.970 34

[Guest]

I fear this weekend we will probably see Mercedes realistic Championship ambitions end and the realisation of how much work, especially on these tyres, is still needed to be done. A rear limited track like Bahrain showcases Mercedes issues and lack of pace, with the middle sector causing a big loss in time. The Lotus at the hands of Kimi looks on rails and his long run was impressive with hardly any drop off in time. Expect an Alonso\Kimi battle for the win with Vettel close behind. Gutierrez looks well out of his depth in F1 and can`t see him staying in the sport too long.

[monty junior]

Each car's performance isn't that different from last year, except the Williams who have lost 1.5-2 seconds a lap.. how? and Mclaren going from the quickest car to barely top ten worthy. I put a fiver on Kimi earlier (hardly sticking my neck out) and it looks good value, if he can qualify in the first couple of rows he has every chance of winning, Lotus were strong in Bahrain last year too.

Maybe a bit optimistic but popped an each way bet on Di Resta at 150/1, with a bit of attrition and the pace of the Force India's shown you never know for a cheeky podium.

[dyrewolfe]

Doesn't look good for McLaren with both Button and Perez around a second off the leaders' pace in FP.

Both interesting and worrying that Hamilton finished with a delaminated left rear tyre and suspension failure. Hope those are the only issues he has for the weekend.


Both Webber and Gutierrez having to contend with grid penalties.

[mystiroakey]

what the heck happened to hamilton- i see he is 34/1 at the bookies for the win tommorow!!

Then realised he is to be penalised

Why the grid penalty

[dyrewolfe]

Wish I knew - its news to me. Don't recall him being investigated after China.

New gearbox maybe?

Williams looking atrocious at the moment...of course that could be partly due to the drivers. They're in danger of turning the back 2 of Caterham and Marussia into a back 3.

[GSC]

Gearbox

[mystiroakey]

ta

[GSC]

Well, well, well.

Rosberg drives the Mercedes to pole

[dyrewolfe]

Interesting.

Great effort from Rosberg to get pole, but you have to think he'll get mugged by Vettel and Alonso at the start.

Fairly solid 4th for Hamilton - shame the 5-place penalty will drop him to 9th.

Interesting that Ferrari mixed their strategies, putting Alonso on hard tyres.

Good effort from force India getting both drivers in the top 10.

Surprised how poor (Renault) Lotus look - Raikkonen struggling to 9th. Also not looking good for McLaren, Button barely scraping into 10th. Both will move up a couple of places due to Webber and Hamilton's penalties.

[GSC]

Hamilton will start 9th

[dyrewolfe]

Just remembered that GSC.

So the final grid should look like:

1. N Rosberg Mercedes
2. S Vettel Red Bull
3. F Alonso Ferrari
4. F Massa Ferrari
5. P Di Resta Force India
6. A Sutil Force India
7. M Webber Red Bull
8. K Raikkonen Lotus
9. L Hamilton Mercedes
10. J Button McLaren

[GSC]

Webber only has a 3 place drop doesn't he?

[monty junior]

Was getting my hopes up for a Force India top 3 position at one point but they kinda fell away

Shapes up nicely for a good race tomorrow, no runaway winner, between Alonso an Vettel with Raikkonen coming through for a podium.

[SteveG]

Flaming heck Rosberg !! didnt see him on pole but TBH he's been threatening to do it and out qualify his teamate on a number of occasions. Looks to me like Hami is still learning about his car because he always seems to be struggling on set up in the early practice sessions only to pull one out of the bag in Q3 but I suppose when your car is stripped and re-built an hour before Q1 then ur'e gonna run out of rabbits.

Vettel and Alonso are looking strong, and will be interesting to see how Massa' stretegy pans out on the hard tyre. Disappointed with Lotus and well impressed by Force India.

But when the dust (or should that be sand) finaly settles it's Alonso on the top step for me - his car just doesn't seem to have a weakness at the moment.

And one last thing - a 3 place grid penalty if you take a driver out and a 5 place penalty to change a gearbox through no fault of your own. Seems a bit disportionate.

[Guest]

@steveG, completely agree about the punishments and the severity of them but that's F1.

Great lap from Rosberg but everyone knows what will happen within the first couple of laps, if not the grid start. Heavy fuel on a rear limited track in these temperatures is a recipe for disaster for Mercedes. Can only see Rosberg going backwards, as Hamilton has done so, when qualifying front row. Expect Alonso to win tomorrow with Vettel doing his best to challenge. This continued poor qualifying by Raikkonen and the Lotus in general is what will be the decisive factor when announcing a world driver champion come the end of the season.

Also, I hear Pirelli are on the verge of signing a new five year deal, not sure if that's good news or not and there is discussion of making next year's Bahrain GP a night race. Again, not sure if that really makes a difference or improves the race or the attendance figures. Hope for a good race tomorrow and that Hamilton can limit the damage.

[mystiroakey]

"And one last thing - a 3 place grid penalty if you take a driver out and a 5 place penalty to change a gearbox through no fault of your own. Seems a bit disportionate"

its ridiculas.. but they we go. no one can be suprised..

Good to see mercedes still has a bit of pace though. LH can win tommorow and my 34/1 seems ok tbh

[GSC]

I believe you get the 3 place penalty if you can't take a drive through. Not a massive deal.

[Guest]

Good to see mercedes still has a bit of pace though. LH can win tommorow and my 34/1 seems ok tbh

I wish I could share your optimism. There's no doubting Mercedes qualifying pace, in fact it's quite brilliant. Long run pace though on high fuel is a different matter altogether.

[mystiroakey]

odds are there for a reason -But I feel that 34/1 is good value- not that I feel he will win it.

Just that i would give him a 1 in 20 chance over a 1 in 34

[GSC]

Realistically the Mercedes is too harsh on its tyres to beat Kimis Lotus, let alone getting near the front.

[Bull]

Come on ferrari! WE COULD GET A WIN here

though surprised to see Nico at the font

[mystiroakey]

Anything can happen in a race and 34/1 is blinding odds for a Proven winner that can also win In lesser equipment. I took each way. So the pay out on podium is also decentish

[CaledonianCraig]

It looks set to be a straight fight between Sebastien Vettel and Fernando Alonso for the win. If I were a betting man my money would be on Alonso as the Ferrari looks to be the car to beat this year.

[GSC]

It's not really blinding odds for a car that doesn't have great race pace

[mystiroakey]

he was 10/1 before the 5 place deduction..

LH is one of only a few drivers that could win if stuff goes t!ts up. Its brilliant odds- especially on the each way

Also this is the one of the best tracks for overtaking.

[mystiroakey]

By the way GSC if you wanna offer me better then i will pay pal you the money

[SteveG]

mystiroakey 37/1 ain't bad. Blimey the way some are talking you'd think Hamilton was driving a milk float.

[mystiroakey]

I cant wait!

come on!!

[CaledonianCraig]

To be fair though mysti 'if stuff goes t1ts up' then any one of Webber, Rosberg, Massa, or Raikkonen could also win quite easily.

[monty junior]

Only if Alonso and Vettel don't finish, the other's dont have a hope otherwise. Hope i don't end up with egg on my face

C'mon Paul!!!

[CaledonianCraig]

Only if Alonso and Vettel don't finish, the other's dont have a hope otherwise. Hope i don't end up with egg on my face

C'mon Paul!!!

Well I'd say that was the definition of things going t1ts up ie Vettel and Alonso crashing out or having DNF's. Would love to see a strong race from Di Resta as well. A top five finish would be great.

[GSC]

mystiroakey 37/1 ain't bad. Blimey the way some are talking you'd think Hamilton was driving a milk float.

Yeah, buts its a car he wasnt remotely close to winning in when he was on pole. The Red Bull, Ferrari and Lotus are all better in the race than the Mercedes, and hes got 5 of those cars to negotiate as well as his own teammate on pole.

Basically he'll need a few of them to go off, couple of safety cars and maybe rain. I'd suggest even hamilton has written this off as damage limitation barring some extraordinary luck.

[CaledonianCraig]

On another note, I take it no action was taken against Vettel and the other drivers who overtook or used DRS under yellow flags in China last weekend? Now there is a surprise.

[GSC]

Man, imagine getting your head in the game, then being pulled by Martin brundle

[GSC]

Great racing from Vettel

[GSC]

Di Resta up to 3rd

[GSC]

Alonsos DRS breaks, Di Resta up to 2nd

[GSC]

Looks like Vettels off into the distance now

[GSC]

Alonsos DRS broke again, keeps sticking open. Gonna have to close it and not use it again.

[GSC]

Rosberg going backwards, McLaren duo doing well.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Vettel's to lose

[GSC]

Yeah, Vettel keeps out of trouble and he can cruise. Alonso was his only real competition.

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