Bahrain Grand Prix - Bahrain International Circuit

[René]

Finally, here we go for the first race of a new era in Formula One!

We’ve talked about it for months, we’ve seen the tests and have a rough idea of who stands where but no one knows for sure. Is Mercedes sandbagging? Is Ferrari really as good as they looked in testing? Or is the aggressive design of Adrian Newey’s Red Bull the best interpretation of the new regulations? And will we see a surprise jump to the forefront by a midfield or even backmarker team? Williams, Alfa Romeo?

No one knows for sure but this weekend will certainly give some answers. One thing we can agree on is that these new cars look a lot better and the variety in design was quite surprising and refreshing to see.

Let's hope this new generation of cars brings us exciting and close racing we've all been waiting for for so long!

* Mazepin replaced by Kevin Magnussen.

[mikael]

Interesting that Mercedes's new design may imply the end of the Coca Cola bottle-shaped F1 car, which has prevailed for so many years now. Ferrari and Red Bull have, apparently, still had that fundamental shape in mind at the drawing board, during the winter.

[chrisb]

I can't get away from the fact these cars are the best looking F1 cars since the early 00's in my humblest of opinions that is, I just hope they are exciting and can meet all the F1 boffins hopes of close racing, my caution is more around the drivers, there are some great and respectful drivers and there are a few who aren't. I am old-fashioned and still believe in manners and would like that translated into racing behaviours,

I am quite excited by the race, less so about where it is happening, I always liked Aussie or South Africa as a real start to a season but such is life -

My vote is for George, which may be a long shot as I suspect Lewis is going to be almightily determined so we will see, I genuinely hope the red cars do very well and if not George or Lewis I hope they are the winners - primarily because it will give so much hope to so many that the fizzy drinks and MB are finally toppled. I would like to see Renault do well as well

[robmarsh]

Plugging for Carlos Sainz, just a gut feel that came across when I was watching Drive to Survive. I really hope that Ferrari and any team other than Red Bull or Mercedes prevail over the season. I would like to see George Russell win a couple though.

My wish list for GP winners this year would be:
Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Russell, Bottas, Albon, Alonso, Gasly and Vettel.

[René]

Chris, the cars do look a lot better so let's hope the racing will see the same improvent! I think the quality of the current drivers is generally very high but I don't like too aggressive driving either.

Bahrain may not be the most exciting place to start the championship but at least it's the best of the desert tracks. The racing itself is usually quite good here, much better than Abu Dhabi. I did prefer the outer loop though they used last year (where George almost won).

Rob, I agree with your wish list. But it won't be Seb this weekend as he tested positive for COVID! The Hulk will replace him.

[René]

0.087s! The difference between Max and Charles after FP2. Still early days but the picture we saw in testing looks to be real. Red Bull and Ferrari fastest and Mercedes (for now) slightly behind. I am sure they will bounce back with all the brain power in Brackley but starting on the backfoot could be very costly eventually. 

Nice to see Fernando and Valtteri so close to the front and that also goes for Mick and Kevin. That Haas really does look good. Must be a dream for Kevin. 

Aston Martin, Williams and….. McLaren look slow. McLaren being the surprise here. 

But overall it’s looking goooood so far! 

[Carl]

Mar 17, 2022 9:39:31 GMT robmarsh said:

Plugging for Carlos Sainz, just a gut feel that came across when I was watching Drive to Survive. I really hope that Ferrari and any team other than Red Bull or Mercedes prevail over the season. I would like to see George Russell win a couple though.

My wish list for GP winners this year would be:
Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Russell, Bottas, Albon, Alonso, Gasly and Vettel.

Rob,
        What's your opinion of "Drive to Survive"?  Another friend really enjoys it, but I have doubts about the concept. I understand Verstappen declines to participate because he feels the producers invent controversy. Does it seem tailored for dramatic effect or more straight documentary?

Thanks, Carl

[robmarsh]

Hi Carl, funny you should ask as my wife and I were discussing it last night after watching the 8th episode in Season 4. I think last years was pretty good but this years is disjointed and seems contrived to me and it feels they are trying to inject sensationalism and intrigue through editing and mixing up various situations. I think they have gone to far and in trying for dramatic effect have ironically made a product less dramatic than the real events. I think the fact that we only watch one episode a night instead of two or three last year says it all. They need to up their game.

[René]

Mar 18, 2022 23:40:29 GMT Carl said:

Does it seem tailored for dramatic effect or more straight documentary?

Thanks, Carl

I guess both which in principle is fine. But it has been overdone on more than one occasion and in Season 4 (I've watched episode 1-4 so far) it really is often too much and artificial.

I do like some of the background stuff and 'meeting' Esteban's or Carlos's family and getting a feel of what a life in racing is like for both the drivers and their family. It shows how much of a sacrifice it often is and how much hard work has gone into it. And that's the same for a Lewis as it is for Esteban. But creating tensions between drivers or team management which really isn't there does not make it better.

But all in all it isn't bad and certainly isn't bad for F1's image and fame all over the world and most noticably in the US. But a 5th season may be stretching it a bit far...

[René]

Fantastic pole position for Charles Leclerc!



It’s always such a great feeling when Ferrari comes back after an unsuccessful period (they always do). When it looks good it usually is good certainly applies to the F1-75! Forza! 

Ferrari and Red Bull, there’s not much between them; Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Pérez, all very close. Lewis saved the day for Mercedes but there’s quite a big gap so they have their work cut out! Russell a bit disappointing in 9th. He’s a good qualifier so maybe the extra pressure got to him. 

Fantastic results for Bottas in 6th and Magnussen in 7th! Valtteri can now freely pass Lewis if the opportunity is there! 
And Mick needs to up his game soon. Kevin is no Nikita!

Alonso in 8th and Gasly in 10th, both solid results. McLaren in 13th and 18th is very disappointing however. They looked so good in Barcelona but something doesn’t work for that car. Let’s hope they find it soon. And Alex Albon a lot faster than Latifi in the Williams by the way. But Williams and Aston Martin look to be the slowest cars.

[René]

Whhhhooooaaahhhhh!!! Forza Ferrari!

[robmarsh]

I can't stop smiling. It's going to be a good week.

[René]

Mar 20, 2022 20:20:31 GMT robmarsh said:

I can't stop smiling. It's going to be a good week.

Me too, Rob. Me too. This is just the best part of being a Ferrarista. Years of hardship and then the glory again. Very emotional.

[chrisb]

many many congratulations Ferrari, a deserved and a brilliant win, Forza!

and I watched the C4 highlights after listening to it on the radio, such is the improvement of F1, I am so looking forward to this season, what a start 

[Carl]

Great racing right from the start, as Charles and Max demonstrated the wisdom of the new regulations!

A great result for Ferrari, although I felt Verstappen should have been on the podium. Both Red Bull drivers deserved better than to have their race collapse at the end.