2008 Bahrain GP - Race 3/18

rpstewart · 1 Apr 2008 at 16:24

The time difference isn't quite as bad this weekend as we head to the gulf state of Bahrain for the Gulf Air Bahrain GP. Ferrari will be looking to take advantage of the experience gained testing here over the winter but McLaren, despite being relegated to the far end of the pitlane, are confident that not testing here won't put them at a disadvantage.

Friday practice : 0800 - 0930 & 1200 - 1300
Saturday practice : 0900 - 1000
Saturday Qualifying : 1200 - 1300, ITV 1110 - 1335
Sunday Race : 1230 - 1430, ITV from 1130. Highlights, 2345 (ITV) & Monday 1800 (ITV4)

Drivers

Code:

Pos Driver           Nationality   Team              Points 
1  Lewis Hamilton       British    McLaren-Mercedes   14
2  Kimi Raikkonen       Finnish    Ferrari            11
3  Nick Heidfeld        German     BMW                11
4  Heikki Kovelainen    Finnish    McLaren-Mercedes   10
5  Robert Kubica	Polish     BMW                8      
6  Nico Rosberg         German     Williams-Toyota    6
7  Fernando Alonso      Spanish    Renault            6
8  Jarno Trulli         Italian    Toyota             5
9  Kazuki Nakajima   	Japanese   Williams-Toyota    3
10 Sebastien Bourdais   Italian    STR-Ferrari        2
11 Mark Webber          Australian RBR-Renault        2

Constructors

Code:

Pos Team              Points    
1  McLaren-Mercedes   24       
2  BMW                19        
3  Ferrari            11        
2  Williams-Toyota    9        
4  Renault            6
6  Toyota             5
7  RBR-Renault        2        
5  STR-Ferrari        2

Calendar

Code:

01 2008 FORMULA 1 ING AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX (Melbourne) 		14 - 16 Mar 
02 2008 FORMULA 1 PETRONAS MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX (Kuala Lumpur) 		21 - 23 Mar 
03 2008 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX (Bahrain) 		04 - 06 Apr 
04 FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPANA TELEFONICA 2008 (Catalunya) 		25 - 27 Apr 
05 2008 FORMULA 1 PETROL OFISI TURKISH GRAND PRIX (Istanbul) 		09 - 11 May 
06 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2008 (Monte Carlo) 			22 - 25 May 
07 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2008 (Montreal) 			06 - 08 Jun 
08 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE FRANCE 2008 (Magny-Cours) 			20 - 22 Jun 
09 2008 FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX (Silverstone) 		04 - 06 Jul 
10 FORMULA 1 GROSSER PREIS SANTANDER VON DEUTSCHLAND 2008 (Hockenheim) 	18 - 20 Jul 
11 FORMULA 1 ING MAGYAR NAGYDIJ 2008 (Budapest) 			01 - 03 Aug 
12 2008 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE (Valencia) 			22 - 24 Aug 
13 2008 FORMULA 1 ING BELGIAN GRAND PRIX (Spa-Francorchamps) 		05 - 07 Sep 
14 FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO SANTANDER D'ITALIA 2008 (Monza) 		12 - 14 Sep 
15 2008 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX (Singapore) 		26 - 28 Sep 
16 2008 FORMULA 1 FUJI TELEVISION JAPANESE GRAND PRIX (Fuji Speedway) 	10 - 12 Oct 
17 2008 FORMULA 1 SINOPEC CHINESE GRAND PRIX (Shanghai) 		17 - 19 Oct 
18 FORMULA 1 GRANDE PREMIO DO BRASIL 2008 (Sao Paulo) 			31 Oct - 02 Nov

If you're interested in seeing what the tracks look like I've updated my Google Earth links and flyovers. Unfortunately it's still not perfect, Fuji for example is still low res and the imagery for Valencia is a fair age so the purpose built bridge isn't visible. To play the flyovers select the flyover folder and press the play button at the bottom of the Places pane.

Some links for Bahrain

Official GP Site
Wikipedia
Circuit details on the official F1 page

tonyyeb · 1 Apr 2008 at 19:27

Can't see this going any other way than a Ferrari win.

JRS · 1 Apr 2008 at 19:45

Well, last year was a Massa masterclass - pole, fastest lap, win. Given how well he drove in qualifying for Malaysia, I wouldn't be overly shocked if he got his act together this weekend.

Ferrari are considering not changing Massa's engine, despite being able to under the regulations. Guess they want to see if they actually have got the reliability gremlins ironed out.

Dr Jack · 1 Apr 2008 at 19:49

But what we all want to know is: is Max Mosley going?

Is it going to rain? Can't see anything else saving us from a procession.

Skeeter · 1 Apr 2008 at 19:58

Ferrari will wipe the floor with everyone IF they have reliability....

And to be honest, i think the chances of at least 1 Ferrari not finishing outweigh the probability of a white wash.

How many dead Ferrari engines this weekend we recon? Havent we had 5 so far?

tonyyeb · 1 Apr 2008 at 23:29

Mr Jack said:
But what we all want to know is: is Max Mosley going?

Is it going to rain? Can't see anything else saving us from a procession.

Looks like he wants to stay... http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66276 - But it is the FIA members that will decide if they want to start an election of a new president... which is unlikely.

And no rain forecast for this weekend

Duke · 2 Apr 2008 at 20:16

Wonder if this is just making excuses or not.. seeing as other Ferrari engines have blown not just their own teams ones.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali believes that the move to a standardised engine control unit (ECU) for 2008 has played a key role in the team’s reliability issues in the first two races.

I also like this quote

“As far as we are concerned, Melbourne saw us experience serious reliability problems, but not because we arrived unprepared,” he told Formula1.com. “It was rather the case that this year, everyone with the exception of one team had to deal with a new parameter, the MES central control unit, which still has to reveal all its secrets, especially in terms of the way its operation affects the overall functionality of the car.”

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/4/7577.html

GravyMonster · 2 Apr 2008 at 21:00

You can understand where he's coming from - it is unfair that McLaren (or a subsidiary company) build the ECUs.

However, everyone else seems to have managed to not build an engine made of chocolate.

rpstewart · 2 Apr 2008 at 22:02

Spunkey said:
You can understand where he's coming from - it is unfair that McLaren (or a subsidiary company) build the ECUs.

McLaren Electronic Systems / Microsoft were awarded the contract by the FIA on the basis of a competitive tendering process. If Ferrari wanted their own ECU then Magnetti Marelli should have put together a better bid.

.:MBK:. · 2 Apr 2008 at 22:39

every other engine seems to be doing fine with the MES ECU

Memphis · 2 Apr 2008 at 22:49

rpstewart said:
McLaren Electronic Systems / Microsoft were awarded the contract by the FIA on the basis of a competitive tendering process. If Ferrari wanted their own ECU then Magnetti Marelli should have put together a better bid.

Indeed.

Shocker as Ferrari blame McLaren for their problems.

355F1512TR · 2 Apr 2008 at 23:12

Definately need to make time to watch this one. Third race of the season and I've not managed to see more than a few laps so far :mad:

.:MBK:. · 2 Apr 2008 at 23:33

huzzah for the 1st race of the season to not be live at stupid o'clock

Skeeter · 2 Apr 2008 at 23:54

Uh, would I be wrong in thinking that the ECU this year has NOTHING in common with the one last year apart from maybe the shape? The internals are completely different and designed to be universal. McLaren have had to adjust to the standard ECU in the exact same way that every other team have. Ferrari are just fishing for answers as to why their engines keep going pop. As was said, all the other Engine manufacturers have managed it.

.:MBK:. said:
huzzah for the 1st race of the season to not be live at stupid o'clock

Looks like Malysia will be going nite racing soon aswell, so only Melbourne at stoopid o clock!

FrostedNipple · 3 Apr 2008 at 00:33

Yes something I've always noticed, if Ferrari are ahead, they are ahead by a long way, but when maclaren or others are ahead its by nowhere near as big a gap!

schumi84 · 3 Apr 2008 at 09:26

355F1512TR said:
Definately need to make time to watch this one. Third race of the season and I've not managed to see more than a few laps so far

I am trying to watch all of the races live this year, doin well so far. Nice that this one is at a bit more of a respectable hour.

If Kimi is on form again this weekend and the Ferrari stays reliable he will be long gone. Hoping the BMWs can get amongst the Mclarens too.

ConTRo13R · 3 Apr 2008 at 12:15

Mclaren all the way here, though ferrari would have boosted from there set up last year and probably be able to trounce evryone!lol maybe hiekki can prove himself here, hopefully ay!

Aero · 3 Apr 2008 at 12:29

I think this will be a close call I suspect the ferrari's to get front row however I think they'll have reliability issues again and the bmws and mclarens will fight it out.

What time is it on? I have a feeling I'm at work

Aero

sunama · 3 Apr 2008 at 14:06

frakker said:
So the reason why Mosley isn't turning up this weekend is due to the Crown Prince of Bahrain telling him not to turn up. And... Toyota, BMW, McLaren-Mercedes, Honda et al are questioning his behaviour and his future involvement in Formula 1.

German car manufacturers BMW and Mercedes-Benz have issued a statement labeling FIA president Max Mosley's behaviour as 'disgraceful'.

Mercedes slamming Mosley? Well I never...

sunama · 3 Apr 2008 at 14:09

ConTRo13R said:
Mclaren all the way here, though ferrari would have boosted from their set up last year and probably be able to trounce evryone!

Ferrari spent many days testing, learning and honing their car on the Bahrain track. McLaren didnt. McLaren have no chance unless rain intervenes or both Ferrari's go out. Based purely on speed, in the dry, I predict the Ferrari to be about 0.5s/lap faster than the next best car, which may not actually be a McLaren.