Bahrain GP 1st day

[Ian]

It's hard to tell at this stage who is really setting a realistic pace as we don't know who was running with a heavier fuel load. But even so, with Ferrari, McLaren, and BMW propping up the wrong end of the grid, it must be a concern for them.

Alonso popping up at the end, has to be fuel-related. Sutil and Fisichella seem to be finding new promise after a major aero upgrade for the Force Indias.

But overall, it looks like the race victory will be fought between Red Bull, Brawn, and Toyota - again!

The footage I watched earlier of the practice sessions (thank you BBC Red Button ) showed a new feature where they super-impose two recordings of different cars following the same path around a corner. You can see just how much slower or faster one car is over another. They showed Button and Hamilton, with Button half a car length behind Hamilton, and then as they reach the apex, they become one car, and then Button emerges onto the straight half a car length ahead. I hope they show this during qualifying tomorrow...

Ian

[JSR]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

It's hard to tell at this stage who is really setting a realistic pace as we don't know who was running with a heavier fuel load. But even so, with Ferrari, McLaren, and BMW propping up the wrong end of the grid, it must be a concern for them.

Alonso popping up at the end, has to be fuel-related. Sutil and Fisichella seem to be finding new promise after a major aero upgrade for the Force Indias.

But overall, it looks like the race victory will be fought between Red Bull, Brawn, and Toyota - again!

The footage I watched earlier of the practice sessions (thank you BBC Red Button ) showed a new feature where they super-impose two recordings of different cars following the same path around a corner. You can see just how much slower or faster one car is over another. They showed Button and Hamilton, with Button half a car length behind Hamilton, and then as they reach the apex, they become one car, and then Button emerges onto the straight half a car length ahead. I hope they show this during qualifying tomorrow...

Ian

That sounds like a great way to give us an idea both about how confident the driver is in the car, and what the car can achieve. I hope they do show it during the qualifying.

I didn't see the practices, but I did check the website. Obviously you can't judge anything from a practice session. In the first session, Lewis was fastest with Heidfeld second; in the second session Lewis was nowhere and Heidfeld was last. They're clearly using the practice sessions for what they're intended for - practice. One session testing a really light car, another testing a race-fuel car. Makes sense to me.

Those drivers who are consistent in both sessions will be the ones to watch.

[Ian]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

Wow - I really think that almost anyone in the top ten could win the race tomorrow. The Toyotas and the Red Bulls do have a slight advantage, though the Toyota strategy doesn't look as good as Vettel's. The Brawns really don't seem to have an advantage any more and Hamilton looks equal to them in his Mercedes, though a race distance may not be so good. The Ferraris are running very long, as is Rosberg in the Williams. I think Vettel has the car to do it, but my fingers will be crossed for Jenson as usual.

Ian

[JSR]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

Yes, it's great to see the field being mixed up again.

Ferraris are in the top 10 again, a Red Bull and an Renault, a McLaren...

Surprised to see how some teams seem to have caught up to the Brawns so quickly given the fuss they all made over the diffusers - "oh, the season's over, doom gloom, the Brawns have won if the diffusers are legal, WDC decided in three races..." and all the doom-mongering that was going on.

None of that now. As you say, it's anyone's race tomorrow.

I hope Jenson has enough in the bag, but as he's said, three of the four cars behind him are using KERS so he's going to be hunted down to that first corner. If he maintains track position, it'll be a miracle! In this kind of situation, the likes of Lewis and other KERS cars will have the jump on him at the start. I just hope that the combination of Button and the Brawn GP car will see him push ahead during the course of the race.

A nice open track, plenty of long straights, and a dry track should all help to make for a great race.

[peter]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

Yes it looks like we may have a really good race tomorrow and a dry one at that. I liked Brundle's comment when he said "It's the top twelve shootout, and Coulthard is beating Jordan at the moment" . Oh happy days

[Ian]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

Jenson seems to think the other teams haven't caught up, more that Brawn haven't got the best out of the car. Sadly, Jenson also starts on the less clean side of the grid too, so I reckon he could be as low as 8th at the end of the first lap And of course in that position, there is a high possibility of getting punted off at the first corner.

Ian

Yes, it's great to see the field being mixed up again.

Ferraris are in the top 10 again, a Red Bull and an Renault, a McLaren...

Surprised to see how some teams seem to have caught up to the Brawns so quickly given the fuss they all made over the diffusers - "oh, the season's over, doom gloom, the Brawns have won if the diffusers are legal, WDC decided in three races..." and all the doom-mongering that was going on.

None of that now. As you say, it's anyone's race tomorrow.

I hope Jenson has enough in the bag, but as he's said, three of the four cars behind him are using KERS so he's going to be hunted down to that first corner. If he maintains track position, it'll be a miracle! In this kind of situation, the likes of Lewis and other KERS cars will have the jump on him at the start. I just hope that the combination of Button and the Brawn GP car will see him push ahead during the course of the race.

A nice open track, plenty of long straights, and a dry track should all help to make for a great race.

[JSR]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

Just finished watching it. Great win!

But the BBC really need to do something about the Press Conference for the podium finishers.

The other week they promised the press conference on the afternoon rerun but didn't show it; this week the interviewer promises to go back to Button after hearing from Vettel & Trulli, but they cut away to the waffling trio instead. We only got about two words from the race winner.

Some of us happen to want to hear from the drivers without having to go pressing red buttons and browsing websites! Why can't they show what they're meant to show during the broadcast of the programme?

Also, I'm a bit annoying about some of the race footage. It seemed that every time there was an overtaking manoeuvre in the offing, they cut to someone's pit stop instead.

What's going on? At least when ITV used to do this kind of stuff, they had the excuse of adverts. With the BBC, I'd expected full coverage.

[Ian]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

Just finished watching it. Great win!

But the BBC really need to do something about the Press Conference for the podium finishers.

The other week they promised the press conference on the afternoon rerun but didn't show it; this week the interviewer promises to go back to Button after hearing from Vettel & Trulli, but they cut away to the waffling trio instead. We only got about two words from the race winner.

Some of us happen to want to hear from the drivers without having to go pressing red buttons and browsing websites! Why can't they show what they're meant to show during the broadcast of the programme?

Also, I'm a bit annoying about some of the race footage. It seemed that every time there was an overtaking manoeuvre in the offing, they cut to someone's pit stop instead.

What's going on? At least when ITV used to do this kind of stuff, they had the excuse of adverts. With the BBC, I'd expected full coverage.

Haha! I know you have an issue with the Beeb I was at first sceptical about the move from ITV as I thought the BBC coverage would be low budget, but I genuinely think the BBC service has been a big step forward. The red button and internet content has been a big bonus.

Yes, the winners' interview was cut short, though it was the FIA interviewer that decided on that. Also, the race coverage was not directed by the Beeb, so you can hardly blame them.

And what a superb win for Jenson! He and the team really worked hard for that. I read thet Red Bull's Horner was adamant that 'if' this and 'if' that, Vettel would have beaten Jenson, and boasted that the Red Bull was now clearly the fastest car. Well there is no evidence of that in the stats - Jenson's best lap was two tenths quicker than Vettel in the race. I understand that Brawn have a new aero package for Spain in two weeks, which could be worth 6/10ths of a second per lap. Brawn don't seem to be overly-optimistic when they make statements, so it's looking good for the next race, where Brawn were comfortably quickest in late pre-season testing.

I can't understand why Toyota went for the Prime (harder) tyre for the middle stint. That clearly cost Trulli the win and arguably gifted Jenson the apparent ease of his victory. Both the Toyotas held up key drivers in the middle and allowed Jenson to build up a commanding lead.

And where are the Rubens fans now? Jenson has stamped his authority on the team, and while I like Rubens a lot, I've always believed that Jenson was the better driver overall. Rubens says he's driving better than ever, so if this is true, Schumacher's relative performance is beginning to be put into perspective, eh?

Can't wait for the next race!

Ian

[peter]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

"And where are the Rubens fans now? Jenson has stamped his authority on the team, and while I like Rubens a lot, I've always believed that Jenson was the better driver overall."

That would be me then. I will give you that one then Jenson really is doing the job so far this year. Massa had his normal luck again I see. Kimi even made it on to the score sheets so not all bad then.

Oh and on the bbc thing I am loving it, the red button is just amazing it seems to get better with each race. My only problem is trying to find the time to watch the 3hours from each friday practice

[Ian]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

[quote=peter;40898]"And where are the Rubens fans now? Jenson has stamped his authority on the team, and while I like Rubens a lot, I've always believed that Jenson was the better driver overall."

That would be me then. I will give you that one then Jenson really is doing the job so far this year. Massa had his normal luck again I see. Kimi even made it on to the score sheets so not all bad then.

Oh and on the bbc thing I am loving it, the red button is just amazing it seems to get better with each race. My only problem is trying to find the time to watch the 3hours from each friday practice[/quote]

I can identify with that - I've been getting up early and losing sleep to watch the practice sessions. I really enjoy Anthony Davidson's commentary (he's another Hemel Hemsptead lad after all! )

Ian

[peter]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

[quote=Ian;40900]

"And where are the Rubens fans now? Jenson has stamped his authority on the team, and while I like Rubens a lot, I've always believed that Jenson was the better driver overall."

That would be me then. I will give you that one then Jenson really is doing the job so far this year. Massa had his normal luck again I see. Kimi even made it on to the score sheets so not all bad then.

Oh and on the bbc thing I am loving it, the red button is just amazing it seems to get better with each race. My only problem is trying to find the time to watch the 3hours from each friday practice/quote]

I can identify with that - I've been getting up early and losing sleep to watch the practice sessions. I really enjoy Anthony Davidson's commentary (he's another Hemel Hemsptead lad after all! )

Ian

I also really like the Davidson commentary. Ok so he really knows his stuff but puts it across in a way that is easy for everyone to understand.

[Ian]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

I see that ITV F1 has just won a BAFTA for their coverage of the final race of 2008

They beat the Olympics in the process...

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

I wonder if the Beeb decided to cut the winners' interview short as there was some horse-play between Button and Vettel concerning Jenson's burned backside? I've not yet watched the full interview, but the transcript seems a bit weird!

Ian

[JSR]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

Haha! I know you have an issue with the Beeb I was at first sceptical about the move from ITV as I thought the BBC coverage would be low budget, but I genuinely think the BBC service has been a big step forward. The red button and internet content has been a big bonus.

I don't have an issue with the Beeb - I'm sure I complained enough about ITV last year - it's just that I expected the Beeb to "do it right".

It's all well and good applauding them for red buttons and internet content, but I spend every working hour on the d*mn computer - I don't want to be trawling websites just to find what they should have shown on the live broadcast. It would be nice if their video content was available for the iPod touch but, unlike the BBC iplayer, the BBC website content relies on Flash - so I can't watch those videos when it's convenient. What loony came up with that idea?

I get a little fed up with almost every programme these days saying "check out our website". I watch the TV to relax, to get away from computers. But you can't watch the TV these days, you have to go to websites.

All last week we had no internet here due to a fault with the box. To assume that we all have a working and fast internet connection is, frankly, absurd. I had to use a combination of dial-up and mobile broadband during the week - and I'd really rather resent having to spend extra money on that just because the Beeb can't be bothered to show what they promise to show on the TV. I pay my TV licence so I can watch the TV, not so I can be told to go watch it via another medium. Surely they have enough BBC channels to show the programmes *on the TV*..?

Ultimately, all I'm asking is to let us watch the driver's press conference. If they'd cut Hamilton's words last year, ITV would have been lynched - but because it's Button, no one gives a stuff. It feels like the BBC aren't proud to have F1 back - they just squeeze it between soap operas like an annoyance.

Anyway, that's all rather irrelevant. Rant over...

More importantly -

And what a superb win for Jenson! He and the team really worked hard for that. I read thet Red Bull's Horner was adamant that 'if' this and 'if' that, Vettel would have beaten Jenson, and boasted that the Red Bull was now clearly the fastest car. Well there is no evidence of that in the stats - Jenson's best lap was two tenths quicker than Vettel in the race. I understand that Brawn have a new aero package for Spain in two weeks, which could be worth 6/10ths of a second per lap. Brawn don't seem to be overly-optimistic when they make statements, so it's looking good for the next race, where Brawn were comfortably quickest in late pre-season testing.

I was secretly hoping that Jenson would have the race pace to compensate for the poor start (caused by all the KERS cars around him). And I was pleased to see it happen.

KERS enabled Lewis to streak ahead of the pack off the start line, but the performance of the Brawn and the skill of Jenson soon negated Lewis' advantage. Nice to see that this kind of thing can outsmart a electrically-assisted mechanical advantage of the KERS.

I can't understand why Toyota went for the Prime (harder) tyre for the middle stint. That clearly cost Trulli the win and arguably gifted Jenson the apparent ease of his victory. Both the Toyotas held up key drivers in the middle and allowed Jenson to build up a commanding lead.

When I saw them change to the hard tyres, I presumed that either they had problems with the super-softs (unlikely) or that they were going for a quick middle-stint and then get back on the super-softs for a long final stint and so out-tactic everyone else. That wasn't what they did, though.

Very surprised to see the harder tyres holding up the super-softs (first Trulli's hard tyres holding up Vettel's softs, and then Vettel's softs holding up Trulli's hard tyres). Would have thought that the super-softs would have had them skipping around the slower car on the hard tyres. Didn't happen, though.

I'm not so sure if Trulli would have had the win if they hadn't made the wrong tyre choice, but I would have expected Vettel to be going toe-to-toe with Jenson. I'm not in the least disappointed about the outcome, though. I want to see Jenson "doing a Schumacher" and streaming ahead of the field while he has the chance!

And where are the Rubens fans now? Jenson has stamped his authority on the team, and while I like Rubens a lot, I've always believed that Jenson was the better driver overall. Rubens says he's driving better than ever, so if this is true, Schumacher's relative performance is beginning to be put into perspective, eh?

I do recall reading many comments last year that Rubens was King and Jenson was the pony but the truth was that they both had awful cars and they both did the best they could do with them. I always believed that Button could do it. When everyone was heralding Lewis last year, I believed that Button would have done the same (or possibly better) if he'd had the same car. Now Jenson is proving it.

Rubens is still no slouch, but you've got to hand it to Ross Brawn's tactics today. I predicted Rubens' final stop would have him lucky to clutch 8th place, but Brawn played it perfect and gave him a chance to get 5th - which Rubens did. That was a fantastic play.

I have a soft spot for Rubens because he spent so long in the shadow of Schumacher, during which time he knew he'd never get the chance to go for the WDC. When he left Ferrari and Raikonnen moved up to take Schumacher's place, I did wonder if Rubens would have been number one driver if he'd stayed. Moving to the much slower Honda team seemed like the worst decision to make but, this year, he seems to be having so much fun in that car. He might not be winning or getting many podiums, but he sure is driving that car.

Speaking of having fun during the Grand Prix, is there anyone having more fun in the paddock than Jenson's father? Last year (and this year), every time the camera picks out Lewis' father, he always seems to have a scowl on his face - you get the impression he's really not enjoying the experience. Lewis did good today, but you couldn't prove it by his father's expression. Contrast that to Jenson's father who's having a real whale of a time. Good on him, I say. Whether Jenson wins, comes third, or loses, both him and his father will have enjoyed the journey - and that's what's important, I think.

Can't wait for the next race!

Me either. I'm really enjoying this season so far.

Oh, and one last word - Well done to Kimi for getting Ferrari's first points on the board this year. It's long overdue. It is fairly obvious, though, that the Ferrari's are using the KERS just to keep up with everyone else when they should be using them to take the advantage.

[Ian]

Re: Bahrain GP 1st day

Nice article about Jenson here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8022027.stm

After the GP last weekend Ross Brawn said: "The way Jenson is driving, then that part is taken care of, it's up to us to produce the performance in the car and do the pit stops and the strategies and make sure the car is reliable," ... "I've got no doubts about his ability to win."

I have always been impressed since I first saw Jenson embarrass team mate Ralf Schumacher in the Williams back in 2000, Jenson's first season in F1, at the British GP during qualifying. Again, at Spa that year when he qualified third on what is one of the THE driver tracks.

Jenson's super smooth driving style is very similar to my other fave driver if the early-mid 90s, Damon Hill.

Rubens is apparently not as comfortable with car at the moment. He has always been more sensitive to brake issues, according to Brawn.

The nice thing about Bahrain was that Jenson was not the favourite (heat issues, rivals faster over a single lap, etc.) but through some dogged racing - crucially passing Vettel and Hamilton right at the beginning, so the race was won, not inherited.

The Brawn team now knows it can win regularly, and with the improvements to come at Spain in a week and a half (according to Brawn: weight saving, better engine driveability (precious little time for engine mapping work in the limited testing before the season?), and a new aero package) and I think we can see Jenson do it again.

What odds perhaps 4 wins out of 5 races...? Perhaps I'm being too optimistic. Let's hope not!

Ian