So there we have it, another year of Mercedes dominance?- Rosberg doesn't seem to be rolling over. Or is there more to what the cover portrays. Did a mix-up of strategy and mechanical issue disguise a potential challenge from Ferrari? And do Redbull have some decent form early on this season? Answers will be available shortly, under the Bahrain night sky. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Number of times held 11 First held 2004 Most wins (drivers) please log in to view this image Fernando Alonso (3) Most wins (constructors) please log in to view this image Ferrari (4) Circuit length 5.412 km (3.363 mi) Race length 308.405 km (191.634 mi) Laps 57 Lap record 1:30.252 (Michael Schumacher,Ferrari, 2004) FP1-12:00 FP2-16:00 SP3 (More exciting than Qualifying)-13:00 Q (Still in the worst format ever) -16:00 R-16:00 Predictions Championship x1 AbsolutelyGloriousSgtBhaji St. Slicks of Stoneham PaulK wrathmonk
Looking forward to analysing the gap between the teams at this circuit. Some long straights mixed in with some twisty sectors and the odd high speed bend. Should show up some strengths and weaknesses and help us understand the gaps between the front two teams overall, and the power units across the board.
I don't see Merc messing up as badly as Aus. They will have been working very hard on fixing their start procedure. I think Ferrari made tactical errors that should have enabled Vettel to win. I don't think Ferrari are currently fast enough to beat Merc unless Merc mess up again. Ferrari are very close to Merc and it wouldn't surprise me if by the time we get back to Europe Ferrari will be battling with Merc without the need for Merc to make mistakes.
Well I was nearly right in predicting Merc would make an error and allow Vettel to win in Australia, I just didn't account for Ferrari dropping the ball as well and allowing Merc back into it. This time, it all depends on that start procedure because if Merc had got that right in Aus it would have been relatively straightforward, albeit with Ferrari keeping them a bit more honest than we have been used to. Hamilton this time.
Hamilton didn't think the change on the start procedure would have a real impact, and I think that comment came after Australia. I think they'll be on top of it now. Conditions will be highly predictable in Bahrain, so nobody should get caught out in quali, or in changing weather conditions. I can't see past Mercedes really.
Rosberg to own the weekend. Just got that feeling. I was also thinking that he made DNF through no fault of his own, but I can't see it logically.
It's also somewhat oddly raining in Bahrain at the moment. It'll almost certainly stop by the weekend but I look forward to the day inters are needed for a desert race
Hoping the gap (if any) is small between the Mercs and Ferraris this weekend, as per usual, would love to see these cars battle it out race long. This however is more of a power circuit than Aus. Wonder if this will hurt Ferrari? The RedBulls, with their Chassis should be quick in the corners, not sure they can make up enough of difference to help them around the rest of the circuit, Williams should do better here, not too many slow corners and with the four long straights, they should be able to make up what they lose.. think FI and Toro Rosso will be ones to watch as well.. And, like most of Motorsport, hope McHonda show more/some/any signs of improvement, in a midfield battle would be a major boost for them!
I just had a weird dream that Alonso won and the McLaren turned out to be the superior car. Button came 11th though....
You have to wonder how much angling Alonso is doing for Rosbergs seat in the background. It's becoming ever less likely that these 2017 changes will happen and so Mercedes will almost certainly be there or there abouts for at least another year after this one.
I'm no longer sure the Merc is the best race car, it's still the fastest qualifier, but it's been that before 2014. Vettel and Kimi waltzed off into the distance in aus until the SC came out
Alonso doubtful following a heavy shunt, where have I heard that before? Think Rosberg's seat is pretty secure unfortunately. Alonso would be better off approaching Renault again (again), or even Red Bull. Realistically though, I think his days of winning races are over, never mind championships.
Depends on the results half way through the season.. If Rosberg is proving more of a match for Hamilton this year, they may keep him.. But if Hamilton is dominating him again, could see them moving for the likes of Danny Ric or Mad Max! Doubt they'll go old school for the future, Alonso, who is a great driver is the wrong side of 30!
I reckon Mercedes were losing their tyres pretty quickly before the safety car came out. Rosberg fell well behind Kimi, who was himself half a lap away from Seb.