[Hatari]

Am surprised that the Bahrain Govt wanted to go ahead with the race, knowing very well that protesters would use the media coverage around the race to their advantage.

The public at large will also prefer to stay away from the race. Sure this will be the lowest turnout for the weekend.

[asr245]

Meanwhile...

F1Today.net - Formule 1-nieuws, live verslag, live updates, f1 test, uitslagen, gp2, gp3

Why is it that we (or at least myself) heard about political turmoil in Bahrain last year and then this year when once again F1 was to visit (give or take a few months)? I generally browse through entire paper but didn't seen/hear anything about Bahrain till F1 season started this year. Was it my ignorance or protesters using an international event to get coverage?

PS: I am not even sure what they are protesting against.

[myavu]

Protests rage as Bahrain Grand Prix event to start

(Reuters) - Formula One cars take to the track in Bahrain on Friday, with the government hoping for a successful Grand Prix, while activists are promising to mark it with "days of rage" after more than a year of Arab Spring protests.

On the eve of the first practice session, protests flared in villages surrounding the capital, far from the circuit where the race will be held. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators in clashes that have been building in the week leading to Sunday's round of the World Championship.

Source: Protests rage as Bahrain Grand Prix event to start | Reuters

[aditya116]

Hamilton is fastest in first practice session.expect the laptimes to come down fast uptill race as the surface gets rubbered in.
(second number denotes car number and the last number of laps run)
1 4 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1’33.572 11
2 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1’33.877 +0.305 21
3 11 Paul di Resta Force India 1’34.150 +0.578 26
4 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1’34.249 +0.677 23
5 3 Jenson Button McLaren 1’34.277 +0.705 14
6 12 Nico Hülkenberg Force India 1’34.322 +0.772 26
7 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1’34.483 +0.911 17
8 2 Mark Webber Red Bull 1’34.522 +0.980 22
9 9 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1’34.609 +1.037 18
10 10 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1’34.847 +1.275 20
11 15 Sergio Perez Sauber 1’35.024 +1.452 22
12 18 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1’35.268 +1.696 25
13 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1’35.436 +1.864 21
14 19 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1’35.497 +1.925 24
15 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1’35.719 +2.147 19
16 14 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1’35.929 +2.357 24
17 17 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1’36.195 +2.623 20
18 20 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham 1’36.330 +2.758 11
19 21 Vitaly Petrov Caterham 1’36.484 +2.912 18
20 16 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1’36.591 +3.019 20
21 25 Charles Pic Marussia 1’37.467 +3.895 18
22 24 Timo Glock Marussia 1’38.006 +4.434 18
23 22 Pedro de la Rosa HRT 1’38.877 +5.305 19
24 23 Narain Karthikeyan HRT 1’39.996 +6.424 23

[mgh]

Force India is skipping FP2, and it is the only team. They are saying that they would be at qualifying and the race. No mention of whether or not they will attend FP3.
After half an hour of FP2, news is that Force India is preparing its cars for the race. di Resta and Hulkenberg have not been on the track.Incidentally, FI were the only team to try out soft tires in FP1.

[PuntoMania]

Mclaren looks very strong in the long runs in FP2. I think they have a race pace advantage over the rest of the field.

However, Mercedes may still have the one lap advantage over the field. Red Bull also looked quite strong and Lotus was pretty close on the long runs as well. Alonso and Ferrari seem to be struggling this weekend

[go-pg]

Originally Posted by PuntoMania

I think its difficult to predict anything this season. Pirelli mentioned that Mercedes understanding and use of tyres was better than any other team at China, which says a lot for a team that was struggling with tyres just 3 weeks ago.

I think the only reasonable prediction we can make at the moment is that Mclaren will be somewhere near the top or at the top. Where Mercedes / Red Bull / Lotus / Sauber will be is anybody's guess and depends on how well they set up their car around the tyres.

I think a Schumacher backlash is due . He'll be restless to get off the mark well this year, knowing that he has a potential race winner in his hands. I'm keenly watching the Schumacher vs Rosberg battle.

Love to see Schumacher get a win or a podium but i guess it would be wishful thinking. The conditions in China and Bahrain are so different. I think Mercedes will be very strong in qualifying but probably struggle a little during the race. Looking at the race simulation during FP2, the Redbulls look a lot stronger in Bahrain, Mclaren Struggling and Mercedes in between. It is going to be real close.

By the way, does any one know of any places in chennai where we can watch F1 races? It is pretty boring to watch the race alone.

[go-pg]

Originally Posted by mgh

Force India is skipping FP2, and it is the only team. They are saying that they would be at qualifying and the race. No mention of whether or not they will attend FP3.
After half an hour of FP2, news is that Force India is preparing its cars for the race. di Resta and Hulkenberg have not been on the track.Incidentally, FI were the only team to try out soft tires in FP1.

I believe they are attending FP3. The team says they will be running in FP3. Force India misses FP2 in order to leave circuit early | Bahrain Grand Prix | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1

[arun_kun]

Guyz, Can anyone give me links to watch qualifying?

[DevilsCry]

Originally Posted by arun_kun

Guyz, Can anyone give me links to watch qualifying?

This one link has been posted umpteen times on T-BHP for broadcast of F1 events FirstRow Watch Live F1 Race Online | Moto GP online Stream | Formula 1 live streaming and Moto GP Free Stream.

[aditya116]

suprises through out qualifying session, track evolution playing major role in upsetting schumacher,kimi in Q1 and Q2.Vettel goes on pole!

[DevilsCry]

Let me hear again what some guys were saying "Seb Vettel's days are over"

Though I'm Vettel's fan because of his mature and consistent driving at such young age but I hate his finger at end of qualification!

Sorry for being blunt but frankly, my dear friends, Lotus is run by a bunch of idiots. What were they thinking? Looking at lap timing and position, they thought Raikonnen was safe? But then Schumacher, with so much experience under his belt, was eliminated too as he failed to gauge extent of track evolution.

Welcome Daniel Ricciardo to top six! I'm proud to declare that I saw him in person during Red Bull F1 show at India Gate, Delhi last year

[arun_kun]

Schumi's was a technical failure. Atleast according to the team, DRS failed and stopped working.

But Raikonnen's was pure stupidity and strictly it is the Lotus team strategists failure(same way they goofed in Chinese Grand Pri) . They should atleast done couple of more laps. He just did 6 laps. I understand that he has 2 new sets of softs tomorrow, but will that be such a big advantage than having p5?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by DevilsCry

This one link has been posted umpteen times on T-BHP for broadcast of F1 events FirstRow Watch Live F1 Race Online | Moto GP online Stream | Formula 1 live streaming and Moto GP Free Stream.

Buddy, thanks to you everytime

For the same reason, i had mentioned this link at the starting of this thread, and i shall include this link on every F1 thread from now on.

Originally Posted by arun_kun

Schumi's was a technical failure. Atleast according to the team, DRS failed and stopped working.

But Raikonnen's was pure stupidity and strictly it is the Lotus team strategists failure(same way they goofed in Chinese Grand Pri) . They should atleast done couple of more laps. He just did 6 laps. I understand that he has 2 new sets of softs tomorrow, but will that be such a big advantage than having p5?

Surprisingly RBR's stole the show when it was not even considered to be in the scene. Shockingly Mercedes GP seems to be goofing up big time with Schumi's car everytime, Roseberg is not your actual bet Ross and Haug.

Felt sad for the Iceman not making it to the Q3 for no fault of his.

Advantage being Schumi starts off tomorrow with all set of FRESH tyres and DRS Working

[go-pg]

Originally Posted by arun_kun

Schumi's was a technical failure. Atleast according to the team, DRS failed and stopped working.

But Raikonnen's was pure stupidity and strictly it is the Lotus team strategists failure(same way they goofed in Chinese Grand Pri) . They should atleast done couple of more laps. He just did 6 laps. I understand that he has 2 new sets of softs tomorrow, but will that be such a big advantage than having p5?

I dont think so. I was hopeful for a Kimi podium this time around but i guess they have screwed themselves again. The field being so close this year and the race pace of mclarens and redbulls being so gud its going to be another 6th or 7th finish . The had a realistic chance of 5th position on the grid and then a podium from there. Disappointment again. But, looking forward to Kimi / Alonso battle btw, its going to be interesting.