788 replies to this topic

[Marklar]

After Albert Einstein was proven right once again that doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result is idiotic (thanks Joe Saward), we are going into the 2nd race of the season. Will it be as good as Melbourne? Will Mercedes struggle once again at the start? Can Rosberg win for the 5th time in a row? Can Ferrari challenge for the win? Can Grosjean surprise from P9 once again? What can Vandoorne do at his debut? And what will Herbert and Alonso say today? And will somebody be crucified today? All answers in a few hours time....

 

 

The grid

• Hamilton
• Rosberg
• Vettel
• Raikkonen
• Ricciardo
• Bottas
• Massa
• Hulkenberg
• Grosjean
• Verstappen
• Sainz
• Vandoorne
• Gutierrez
• Button
• Kvyat
• Wehrlein
• Ericsson
• Perez
• Palmer
• Haryanto
• Nasr
• Magnussen (pit lane)

The circuit



Race facts
Track lenght: 5.412 km

Laps: 57

Race distance: 308.238 km

Full throttle: 59 %
Braking zones: 8 (5 hard braking)
Braking: 16 %
Brake wear: high
Tyre wear: high
Fuel consumption: high
Overtaking: medium
Pitstop window: 24 seconds
Safety car likehood: 25 %
Distance pole to turn 1: 320 m
Pole conversation: 45.45 %
Wins from: 1st (5), 2nd (3), 4th (2), 3th (1)
Winners: Alonso (3), Massa, Vettel, Hamilton (2), Button, Schumacher (1)
Winners teams: Ferrari (4), Renault, Red Bull, Mercedes (2), Brawn (1)
Winners engine: Ferrari, Renault (4), Mercedes (3)

Pirelli

• Compounds: supersoft/soft/medium (at least two compounds have to be used during the race, one of them must be either medium or soft)
• Strategy: 3 stopper is fastest (either SS - S (lap 14) - S (lap 29) - S (lap 43) or SS - SS (lap 12) - SS (lap 27) - S (lap 42)), 2 stopper for track position (SS - M (lap12) - S (lap 37)), 1 stopper virtually impossible (SS - M (lap 21))
• Tyre allocation

             SS   S    M  
HAM          3    2    1   
ROS          3    2    1
VET          3    2    1
RAI          3    2    1
BOT          3    1    2
MAS          3    1    2
RIC          3    2    1
KVY          4    2    1
MAG          4    2    1
PAL          4    2    1
HUL          4    1    1
PER          5    1    1
VES          4    2    1
SAI          4    2    1
VAN          4    2    1
BUT          4    2    1
ERI          4    2    1
NAS          4    2    1
WEH          4    2    1
HAR          3    3    1
GRO          5    1    1
GUT          5    1    1

Top Speeds



Weather (Ubimet): Sunday will be slightly warmer, with the high temperature reaching 28 C. Some thin, high clouds will move into the area during the afternoon and temperatures will fall back into the mid 20s before the 18:00 race start time.

Starting times
https://www.f1calendar.com/

Live timings
Live timing with sector times (authorization needed)
Official live timing without concrete sector times but with live commentary (full access with subscription)

IRC Live chat
https://kiwiirc.com/...rt.com/atlasf1/

 

One last word before we are all going to enjoy today's race: most have probably noticed it already, either because they saw the thread or because they noticed his abstinence, but on monday GIlles4Ever, moderator, admin and cornerstone of this forum, passed away. We're missing you badly

 

[CountDooku]

A bit keen with the thread starting Mark!

[Kev00]

I'm guessing that the guys starting 9th onwards won't touch the SS tyres? Would still be surprised if the top 8 are getting more than 7-8 laps out of them.

[Scuferrari]

I'm guessing that the guys starting 9th onwards won't touch the SS tyres? Would still be surprised if the top 8 are getting more than 7-8 laps out of them.

 

Those who still have 2 sets of mediums could do a 2 stopper choosing M - M - SS.  ~ 24 laps on mediums for the first 2 stints, then SS for the last 9 laps.

[Wuzak]

Those who still have 2 sets of mediums could do a 2 stopper choosing M - M - SS.  ~ 24 laps on mediums for the first 2 stints, then SS for the last 9 laps.

 

So Massa and Bottas. Who have to start on the SS.

[Kunis]

It would be epic if Räikkönen scores his eighth podium in Bahrain

 

[Mat13]

Fairly optimistic for a good race today, Rosberg looks close to Hamilton, and Button appears to have a fairly good car, despite yesterday's issues.

[Wuzak]

I'm guessing that the guys starting 9th onwards won't touch the SS tyres? Would still be surprised if the top 8 are getting more than 7-8 laps out of them.

 

I think those 7-8 laps should be enough to keep them ahead of most of those staring on soft and all that start on medium.

 

Mercedes are the best part of 2s faster on the same tyre than those who have free tyre choice. And they are using tyres at least 1s per lap faster.

[Wuzak]

It would be epic if Räikkönen scores his eighth podium in Bahrain

 

But hopefully he can make it onto the top step.

[Wuzak]

Both Mercedes had big brake problems in Bahrain last year. 

 

And Nico had some problems in Australia. 

 

If Ferrari are close enough the Mercedes drivers may not be able to nurse their equipment through the race, making brake issues more likely.

[Marklar]

A bit keen with the thread starting Mark!

Usually I'm doing it much earlier

[Radion]

rai/vett/rosb

[Jonnycraig37]

*yawn*

[keshav]

Same result as what is going on in the last few years - HAM ROS VET

[Exb]

Tyre allocations from Pirelli:https://twitter.com/...533062344044544

1. 

   Seems I was wrong about Jenson using all his mediums sets   

 

[cokata]

[Jonnycraig37]

Only 75 more minutes of Merc insisting that they don't know they will win, followed by a 30+ second 1-2.

The tension is killing me!!!

[Marklar]

Yes, this is really Lewis

 

[Seanspeed]

That's gotta be worth a 5 place grid penalty, surely. 

[Araqiel]

Race Weather

Mostly clear and 26°C right now in Bahrain; more of the light cloud you can see on the satellite image will build in by race start, with temperatures very similar to yesterday during qualifying at 22°C. Winds are lighter at 5-10mph, still from the NNW but with more of a sea breeze from the NE likely this evening.

Edited by Araqiel, 03 April 2016 - 11:08.

[Nonesuch]

I'm looking forward to seeing Vandoorne and Grosjean having a go at getting into / staying in the points.

 

Mercedes seems to have an pretty decent advantage over Ferrari, but who knows. Last year things got surprisingly close.

[igoru]

I wish points for Button, Vettel/Rosberg for win ....and Johnny Herbert please speak about your hair transplant....

[BCM]

How come some drivers have 7 sets of tyres and others have 6 sets in the Pirelli table?

 

I'm praying to my personal deity for a lightning start from one of the Ferraris to crush the infidel Mercedes so that I may hear the lamentation of their pit wall. Also it would be good if Ricciardo won. 

[RPM40]

"We're totally under pressure, we really feel it, we're worried we're going to be beaten, we promise we're not going to win easily" - Toto Wolff

[Seanspeed]

"We're totally under pressure, we really feel it, we're worried we're going to be beaten, we promise we're not going to win easily" - Toto Wolff

Ha, basically. "Please tune in still!"

Edited by Seanspeed, 03 April 2016 - 11:54.

[SCUDmissile]

Yes, this is really Lewis

 

 

Sheikh Lewbdullah Halalton

[Sheeana]

"We're totally under pressure, we really feel it, we're worried we're going to be beaten, we promise we're not going to win easily" - Toto Wolff

Mercedes is like this best student in class who freaks out before every test/exam but still always gets an A in the end.

Edited by Sheeana, 03 April 2016 - 11:59.

[Nonesuch]

"we promise we're not going to win easily" - Toto Wolff

 

Echoes of Rosberg's "we put on a fantastic show" from 2014.

 

Either way, Wolff has been pretending that the races are close for over two years now. 84%+ wins over two years says otherwise.

 

We'll see. Luckily for us viewers the middle of the field seems genuinely close together. 

[RPM40]

Mercedes is like this best student in class who freaks out before every test/exam but still always gets an A in the end.

so true. 

 

"I'm going to fail!"

[GoldenColt]

Either way, Wolff has been pretending that the races are close for over two years now. 84%+ wins over two years says otherwise.

 

Reminds me of Christian Horner in 2011 and 2013.

Edited by GoldenColt, 03 April 2016 - 12:15.

[Nonesuch]

Reminds me of Christian Horner in 2011 and 2013.

 

It was really, really, really, close that one time in Spa, though. As in, definitely really close.

 

[xmoonrakerx]

Reminds me of Christian Horner in 2011 and 2013.

 

Thought that Hamilton's pole yesterday was his 50 not his 51

Edited by xmoonrakerx, 03 April 2016 - 12:21.

[Jonnycraig37]

Reminds me of Christian Horner in 2011 and 2013.

In fairness, it was on occasions close between RB & their challengers in those years.

Since 2014, it's never been a close finish. Merc have either won comfortably, lost by miles or not finished.

[TomNokoe]

A pit stop costs around 23s. I think we'll definitely have a midfielder leading at some stage.

[tigerbalm]

Both Mercedes had big brake problems in Bahrain last year.

And Nico had some problems in Australia.

If Ferrari are close enough the Mercedes drivers may not be able to nurse their equipment through the race, making brake issues more likely.

Nico's brake problems in Australia were due to debris getting stuck in the brake disc. They were testing ways to reduce that reoccurring during FP. One journalist said on Twitter that they applied a matte finish as a solution so far. We'll see if it works or another problem comes up.

One big problem will be Lewis' start. He and Vettel did practice starts in FP. Vettel was better it seems. Hopefully Lewis will retain his position today

[search]

How come some drivers have 7 sets of tyres and others have 6 sets in the Pirelli table?

 

only those who didn't make it to Q3 are allowed to use the additional Q3 set of SS tires in the race

[anbeck]

A pit stop costs around 23s. I think we'll definitely have a midfielder leading at some stage.

 

I hope it will be Grosjean. Then all we need are 2 perfectly timed red flags, and Haas wins the race 

[tmekt]

I hope it will be Grosjean. Then all we need are 2 perfectly timed red flags, and Haas wins the race 

I would have no problem with that.   Make America Great Again! 

 

---

EDIT: Also, hoping for a super exciting race. By the time they start I will have been up for nearly 30 hours so anything less will probably just function as a substitute for a sleeping pill.

Edited by tmekt, 03 April 2016 - 12:46.

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

Because most of my predictions about winners had been wrong I will concentrate more on DNF count and safety car.

 

[1] We are going to have 9 DNFs.

[2] 3 Safety cars.

[3] The winner is non of Mercedes drivers or Ferrari drivers (I had to).

Edited by RYARLE, 03 April 2016 - 12:44.

[TyreSmokeDownshift]

Yes, this is really Lewis

Um Lewis, this is the Bahrain GP. The 'Lawrence of Arabia' auditions ended over fifty years ago.

[thegamer23]

Hopefully Ferraris will leapfrog Mercedes at the start. 

If not, it's going to finish like it started! 

[alfa1]

What, are we just having ONE race?

 

Why not have an aggregate race, because apparently that's more exciting..

 

Australia and Bahrain are aggregated, China and Russia are aggregated, etc... so in a few hours time we would finally know the first points score of the season.

[igoru]

Sheikh Lewbdullah Halalton

I dont like this.

 

i am Senna and Alonso fan but otherwise I have nothing against Hamilton...but he shows to many bad self esteem signs.

[pRy]

"Lewis, it's Bernie. Have you got dressed yet? We need a distraction."

[ferkan]

Is Lewis wearing Jesus chain? Lol how did they let it fly in Bahrain?

[f1fastestlap]

I dont like this.

 

i am Senna and Alonso fan but otherwise I have nothing against Hamilton...but he shows to many bad self esteem signs.

 

So people now can't dress like locals....

Hhhhmmm, so if I go to Texas I can't dress like a cowboy, go to Scotland can't dress like a Scottish, just like Coulthard does, etc etc....

Yeah, right...

[Nonesuch]

Is Lewis wearing Jesus chain? Lol how did they let it fly in Bahrain?

 

There are in the order of hundreds of thousands of Christians and Hindus in Bahrain.

Edited by Nonesuch, 03 April 2016 - 13:10.

[Disgrace]

At this point, some discussion of the race in prospect would be good.

[Fastcake]

So people now can't dress like locals....
Hhhhmmm, so if I go to Texas I can't dress like a cowboy, go to Scotland can't dress like a Scottish, just like Coulthard does, etc etc....
Yeah, right...

Just so you know, most people in Texas don't dress like cowboy's, and the only people who wear kilts in Scotland are wedding guests.

[Blackoutjulian]

At this point, some discussion of the race in prospect would be good.

Hamilton wins with Rosberg second and Vettel third... race discussion done.