1183 replies to this topic

[TomNokoe]

After a welcome winter break, F1 is back, ready to begin its longest-ever season, starting in the dusk of sandy Bahrain.

 

As always, the start of a new season brings anticipation and change; new cars, rookie drivers, new team principals... and maybe a new competitive order?

 

Only three days of testing have left the air in Sakhir thick with intrigue and mystery. All will be revealed as we get set for Round 1 of the 2023 Formula One World Championship!

 

 

The Circuit
 

 

The DRS zones have been tweaked slightly, with the start/finish zone shortened by 80m.

The 2023 race will be the 20th running of a Grand Prix in Bahrain. 19 "Bahrain" GPs and 1 "Sakhir" GP.

 

Predictions from Pre-Season

 

Reigning champions Red Bull and Verstappen enter the weekend and season as firm favourites. The RB19 has evolved in Pokémoneseque fashion from its RB18 inception, with a solid Bahrain test to boot. Can Perez muster a challenge to his record-breaking teammate? Their chief rivals remain Ferrari, with a cloud of mystery shrouding the SF-23. Just how quick will the Scuderia be once we reach Q3? Don't forget, we have seen similar situations in both 2021 and 2022, Red Bull strong in testing only to be shocked on opening weekend. Third time lucky?

 

Behind the expected front two sit the enigmatic Mercedes and the exciting Aston Martin. One team pessimistic, the other optimistic. Will Lewis, George and Fernando be quick enough to disrupt the lead group, or will the headline action be the mini-battle between them? A tantalising prospect! Don't be surprised if one of them sneaks onto the podium come Sunday. It remains to be seen if Brazil's Felipe Drugovich will make his F1 bow this weekend, to replace the injured Stroll.

 

The midfield begins with the anonymous Alpine and sanguine Sauber-Alfa Romeo. The French squad bizarrely confident of gatecrashing the podium battle, but with little to show from testing. Gasly has flown the Red Bull nest and will be hoping to make a better impact at the front of the field than he did in 2019. Watch out for fireworks between the French Frenemies.

Alfa Romeo look quick, and good to repeat their start-of-the-season underdog status from 2022. Continuity in their driver pairing should serve them well early on.

 

The lower midfield is populated with the usual crowd of Alpha Tauri, Haas and Williams, punctuated by the foreboding expectation of another McLaren struggle. Can the men and women from Woking salvage the start of their season after a terrible test? Elsewhere, De Vries makes his full weekend debut, Sargeant his debut-debut, Piastri his finally-it's-my-debut, and Hulkenberg his triumphant return. Will the bottom class of this year's competitive order be cut adrift, or can a Norris, Tsunoda, Magnussen or Albon steal a point or two on opening weekend?

 

Tyres and Weather

 

 

A new season means a new Pirelli graphic, but more importantly, tweaked 2023 compounds! Tyre pressures have been dropped noticeably by 1.5psi front and 2.0psi rear.

 

This year's C1 is a brand-new compound, intended to be closer to the C2 and therefore more usable on race day. Judging from testing, it appears to have worked, with great speed and consistency over long runs. If anything, this year's C2 seems to be quite a weak compound, but let's see. The infamous Shropshire Asphalt remains, with more bumps than ever. Expecting a two or three-stop race.

 

Fri - 21C/70F, dry

Sat - 23C/73F, dry

Sun - 23C/73F, dry

 

Schedule

        GMT     CET 
FP1     1130    1230
FP2     1500    1600
FP3     1130    1230
Q       1500    1600
R       1500    1600

Convert to my time zone

 

A Bahrain Bonzanza to kick off the year, F2, F3 and Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East supporting. Full schedule.

 

--

 

Thoughts, predictions, Drive to Survive spoilers, clever fantasy team names, pictures of shipping containers all welcome - as usual - below. We Are Back

 

Edited by TomNokoe, 01 March 2023 - 23:28.

[LolaB0860]

I look forward to seeing how Genie from Aladdin, Cowardly Lion and Tin Man perform

 

Edited by LolaB0860, 01 March 2023 - 21:45.

[GlenWatkins]

Thank you TomNokoe!

 

I'm really excited for the 23 race season!

[PitViperRacing]

Brilliant post mate.

Excited for new season (mainly to see the midfield battles).

I think Red Bull/Max will win this race in a canter, but hoping to see strong results for Alpine and Alonso in the AM!

[CharlesWinstone]

Just watched an interview with Alonso's girlfriend on Servus TV. Questioned how Fernando liked it at Aston Martin and what he thought about the car she just had a sneaky smile. I expect a very strong Alonso this weekend. Maybe even a podium.

[AustinF1]

[lewislorenzo]

Max to win by 30 seconds…

[LolaB0860]

If this was the Australian GP season opener, as it should be, the warm-up lap for the first motor race of the weekend would already be happening in less than 7 hours time... in fact there are two actual races scheduled for Thursday this year at Oz. Wish it was here.

 

But no, here we are instead. Even though it's the season opener and there's some usual intrigue and possibility of mild surprises, it's ultimately still hard to get excited for Bahrain. But at least it's not as bad as the other ME events and some of the others. Jeddah next year as the opener will be beyond awful.

 

Anyway, at least the F2 races are not run under the floodlights anymore, only quali is. IMO the surroundings look less bland in daylight.

Edited by LolaB0860, 01 March 2023 - 23:02.

[KWSN - DSM]

Any chance of rain?

[Fraser1994]

1. Max
2. Checo
3. Leclerc
4. Alonso
5. Sainz

[Music Lover]

1 Max
2. Checo
3. Alonso

[anachronox]

Alonso

Max

Leclerc 

 

[vlado]

LEC
VER
ALO

[aray]

Max

Perez

Leclerc

[romaincrouton]

Wow the Aston hype train has most definitely left the station. Let’s hope it’s not a GP2 hype train.

[IrvTheSwerve]

I look forward to seeing how Genie from Aladdin, Cowardly Lion and Tin Man perform

 

What has our sport become… 

[IrvTheSwerve]

Also, congrats on the win, Max. 

[sportyskells]

I will be at my sisters who does not have Sky Sports F1

[Widefoot2]

What has our sport become… 

American.

 

I say that with no particular pride...

[Ali623]

So at what point of the weekend will this Alonso/Aston hype train crash and burn?

[JimmyClark]

So at what point of the weekend will this Alonso/Aston hype train crash and burn?

Maybe not the best turn of phrase at this circuit

[Ali623]

Maybe not the best turn of phrase at this circuit

Haha, didn’t even mean that…

[NickeyF1]

Lance Stroll will race in Bahrain

 

https://twitter.com/...217803628888064

[Laster]

Good for Stroll, I am admittedly a little disappointed for Drugovich though.

[PayasYouRace]

I'm calling it Round -1. Saudi Arabia is Round 0, because only Melbourne can be Round 1.

[engineblock1]

Bahrain is one of Tilkedrome which usually has good racing surprisingly. So a season opener here is ok although it felt morel ike starting at Melbourne. The only issue with Melbourne was to get up early in the morning to watch the race.

[JimmyClark]

Bahrain is one of Tilkedrome which usually has good racing surprisingly. So a season opener here is ok although it felt morel ike starting at Melbourne. The only issue with Melbourne was to get up early in the morning to watch the race.

To me getting up early was part of the atmosphere of starting an F1 season. It seems wrong three races in.

The buildup week to Melbourne is always so much more fun too, whereas in Bahrain it seems kind of flat.

[Aaaarrgghh]

To me getting up early was part of the atmosphere of starting an F1 season. It seems wrong three races in.

The buildup week to Melbourne is always so much more fun too, whereas in Bahrain it seems kind of flat.

Precisely. It was always special going up ridiculously early for that first race. Also, the pecking order in Melbourne didn't necessarily reflect the overall hierarchy for the remainder of the season, which left a lot of open questions going in to the second race.

[KWSN - DSM]

Lance Stroll will race in Bahrain

 

https://twitter.com/...217803628888064

 

He will be present with intent, I am not certain he will race.

[Bleu]

Sakhir

Melbourne

Marina Bay

Losail

Las Vegas

 

There are five circuits in the 2023 calendar where Max Verstappen hasn't won yet. The last one is quite natural on the list since it's in the calendar for the first time. But here is Verstappen's first chance to remove one of them from that list.

[SparkPlug86]

Max

Perez

Alonso

[IrvTheSwerve]

I'm calling it Round -1. Saudi Arabia is Round 0, because only Melbourne can be Round 1.

 

Don't give Liberty that idea, we'll end up with another 2 circuits added to the calendar!

[IrvTheSwerve]

Lance Stroll will race in Bahrain

 

https://twitter.com/...217803628888064

 

Maybe I'm overthinking it but it seems strangely worded...Stroll will 'participate in Bahrain Grand Prix Weekend'. Almost sounds as if he'll be there but won't be on track.

[Centauri]

So at what point of the weekend will this Alonso/Aston hype train crash and burn?

 

 

Well, I can speak for myself and say it's probably in Q2 when Alonso puts in a perfect lap.... yet goes out in P11 

Edited by Centauri, 02 March 2023 - 10:25.

[KWSN - DSM]

Maybe I'm overthinking it but it seems strangely worded...Stroll will 'participate in Bahrain Grand Prix Weekend'. Almost sounds as if he'll be there but won't be on track.

 

More or less how I read it as well, I think he will be in the car in first practice, based on which rest of weekend will be decided - I will be more surprised if he races than not.

[kosmos]

1 -Max

2 -Perez

3 -Sainz

4 -Leclerc

5 -Hamilton

6 -Russell

7 -Alonso

 

Hoping for something better for Alonso but we will see.

[jjcale]

1 -Max

2 -Perez

3 -Sainz

4 -Leclerc

5 -Hamilton

6 -Russell

7 -Alonso

 

Hoping for something better for Alonso but we will see.

 

I am not his fan - but I think it would be very interesting to see what FA can do in a competitive car.... hopefully it will be close between the AM, the Merc and the Ferrari so we can have some entertainment at the front.

 

.... since Redbull appear to be off in their own formula and will not be giving us any entertainment (at least at the start of the season) unless SP ups his game massively and the rumours of a falling out between him and MV turn out to be true.... a season long title fight between SP and MV would be an interesting development. ... a couple more retirements for MV and it could very interesting.  

Edited by jjcale, 02 March 2023 - 12:52.

[SophieB]

I look forward to seeing how Genie from Aladdin, Cowardly Lion and Tin Man perform

 

This is just rubbing it in that we won’t be in the land of Aus for the first race.

[Enzoluis]

Soft is only for Q and medium and hard mandatory for race. Is that correct?

[Sleepflower]

Not tremendously excited for this one, but let's see.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Soft is only for Q and medium and hard mandatory for race. Is that correct?

No, they must use the soft in Q3 and must use one of medium and/or hard in the race, not necessarily both.

[LolaB0860]

This is just rubbing it in that we won’t be in the land of Aus for the first race.

We can all pretend to be there instead by watching this track build timelapse

https://mobile.twitt...sDU7dKC9JktAAAA

[jAnO76]

More or less how I read it as well, I think he will be in the car in first practice, based on which rest of weekend will be decided - I will be more surprised if he races than not.

Arm Power Ranking tm!:

1. Double armed Kubica

..

..

2. Single armed Kubica

3. Double armed Stroll

..

..

..

..

..

4. Single armed Stroll

[JimmyClark]

Arm Power Ranking tm!:

1. Double armed Kubica

..

..

2. Single armed Kubica

3. Double armed Stroll

..

..

..

..

..

4. Single armed Stroll

 

Sadly I think Lance was a faster drive than post-accident Kubica. 

[jonklug]

Imho I see a VER/LEC/SAI podium at this one. Would love to see an Alonso in there but it will be tough. 

[Hellenic tifosi]

No, they must use the soft in Q3 and must use one of medium and/or hard in the race, not necessarily both.

 

Now that's a rule I NEVER understood.

[Ali623]

Red Bull 1-2 in qualifying, but Perez in his attempt to be more aggressive with Max this year collides into him at turn one and they both DNF. The Ferrari's have terrible tyre wear and quickly fall behind the Mercs and AMs. Hamilton is now leading and procedes to have a race-long duel with Alonso for the win, they both take each other out in the closing laps. Stroll wins the race.

[LolaB0860]

Red Bull 1-2 in qualifying, but Perez in his attempt to be more aggressive with Max this year collides into him at turn one and they both DNF. The Ferrari's have terrible tyre wear and quickly fall behind the Mercs and AMs. Hamilton is now leading and procedes to have a race-long duel with Alonso for the win, they both take each other out in the closing laps. Stroll wins the race.

 

Yes

 

Alternatively, Verstappen wins by 90 seconds and the only retirement is Alonso from P8 with hydraulic issue

Edited by LolaB0860, 02 March 2023 - 13:36.

[Seanspeed]

Now that's a rule I NEVER understood.

Allows Pirelli to reduce waste by having a better idea of the tires that will get used(and thus what they need to produce), while still leaving options for race strategy. 

[jacdaniel]

Max has never won on the opening day as far as I know and Red Bull have double DNFd twice in the last 3 years on opening day.

Wouldn't put my mortgage on them.