This daily post is slightly late as I was caught up watching the Red Bull Crashed Ice final. We also live commented it, along with the 12 Hours of Sebring. You know, we are an F1 site, honest. It's Sunday, and with no racing this weekend, it seems like a pretty quiet time in terms of F1 news. Nevertheless, here are some of the things we're talking about:
Preview quotes for the Australian GP are starting to appear already, and the Hispania ones are very sweet. The team are simply aiming for one car to get to the finish, not even both. That is probably the least ambitious thing we have heard all year. It's completely fitting though, and I appreciate the team's honesty in terms of what they can achieve.
Joe has what he calls A Mish-Mash of News including discussion of Natacha Gachnang, and how the FIA will get new teams into the sport for 2011.
Ferrari allowed their three development drivers to have a go in the F2008 at Fiorano during a test session on Friday. Apparently there will be five such tests available for the young drivers and I think it's good to see Ferrari taking the approach of encouraging young talent, rather than hoping a driver who hasn't raced for ten years might be up to the job. Eh-hem.
That's all for now, I hope you're having a fabulous weekend, I know I am. As ever, I will see you in the comments.
The final show of our F1 Digest Bahrain coverage looks at the race in detail, examines how the drivers feel after the event and recaps the results and championship standings.
The Race
Vettel got off to a good start but reliability issues handed the lead to Ferrari. Further back, only one of the new teams saw their drivers get to the end, and the number of retirements was high.
Team by Team
Alonso is very pleased to have picked up his first win for Ferrari, and dedicates it to Luca di Montezemolo. Meanwhile, a lot of drivers struggled with their tyres, whilst hydraulic issues seemed to be the in thing.
Ferrari had the best possible start to their championship campaign, whilst Red Bull could have got a lot, lot more. Both McLaren and Mercedes finished ahead of them.
Our first Grand Prix of 2010 is complete and it was all about Ferrari as Vettel fell slowly backwards. The full results are up but relive the entire 49 laps with our Factbyte Factbox replay.
Session Started:
14/03/2010 at 11:30 GMT
Session Ended:
14/03/2010 at 14:00 GMT
11:30
Morning everyone! Half an hour to go until the Bahrain Grand Prix. I trust everyone is super excited.
11:31
Both Ferrari drivers have changed their engines today. Massa's engine was "displaying worrying characteristics." Alonso's was changed as a precaution. No penalty as first engine change is free.
11:33
From @rf1paddockpass: It's absolutely scorching out there today guys. The drivers are going to have a really tough afternoon.
Ferrari reporting the track temperature at 48 degrees C.
11:40
Andrew Benson on BBC Live thread: "Here in Bahrain, the top teams are all starting on the softer of the two tyres, both of which they have to use in the race. The decision around when they make their stop will depend on several factors - how long they can make the harder tyres last in their second stint, and therefore at what point is it viable to come in for a single stop; how well the soft tyre is wearing; and what their immediate rivals are doing. If someone you're racing comes in for fresh tyres, you basically have to follow him in within a lap or risk losing the battle. Expect stops from around the 15th lap, but any early safety car could trigger a mass dive for the pits."
11:46
Rob talking to 5live about how good it is to have Massa back, particularly being back at the sharp end. "Tyres are alright, but no one is in fantastic shape. On full tanks on Friday, they were fine."
11:48
From @rf1paddockpass: Robert's just headed back to grid. Very cool and collected
11:49
From @TheVanquish: Bruno Senna said #ForSure 4 times in that interview!
11:53
Track temperature - 41. Air temperature 35.
11:57
Red Bull had a problem with the right rear wheel nut on the grid.
11:57
On Vettel's car.
11:58
Both Hispania drivers starting from the pit lane.
11:58
From @clubforce: Tyre wear will be important. For those of you how missed it, we are the only team in the top 10 who took a gamble with harder tyres.
From @adamcooperf1: A lot of drivers stayed off the grid in protest at a Bernie ban on their physios/bag carriers accompanying them with umbrellas...
12:00
The cars are off on their formation lap.
12:01
Great comment from Alex: Lee News saying that the new teams were all hugging to celebrate making it to the first race. Virgin, HRT and Lotus all together.
12:02
From @rf1paddockpass: Butterflies...
12:03
Pit to Lewis & Jenson: "Three burnouts please."
12:04
Vettel makes a good clean start.
12:05
Smoke from Webber's car.
12:05
Alonso got ahead of Massa.
12:05
Rosberg up to 4th, Webber down to 8th.
12:06
Sutil is down in 23rd. Not sure what happened.
12:07
From @rf1paddockpass: Great start for Vitaly. Robert had contact in first corners.
12:08
Chandhok has crashed out. Front wing gone.
12:10
Hulkenberg has a big spin, now rejoins in 20th.
12:10
Lucas di Grassi pulls off the road, race over.
12:10
Replay of the start - Kubica and Sutil collided, spinning the Force India backwards.
12:11
Hulkenberg has returned to the pitlane.
12:13
Hulkenberg has rejoined the action. Top ten after five laps: VET, ALO, MAS, ROS, HAM, MSC, WEB, BUT, LIU, BAR.
12:14
Chandhok says he found a new bump that sent him on to the kerb and into the wall.
12:15
From @clubforce: Not a driver error from Adrian. He is in P18 at the moment - just overtook Glock. Tonio is in P9.
12:16
Jacques on 5live: "It's hard to get a rhythm on the new part of the track."
12:17
Sutil now passed Kovi as well.
12:18
From @MikeGascoyne: No problems with either car but jarno has lots of understeer.
12:19
At the back, Hulkenberg in 21st posted a 2:04, behind him Senna completed a 2:11.
12:19
Liuzzi reporting understeer on the radio to the team. They can't see any problems with the car itself.
12:20
Smedley telling Massa to move out of the tow of other cars on the straights for cooling.
12:22
More from @MikeGascoyne: Jarno thinks he may have damaged the front wing on first lap
12:23
Massa fastest lap - 2:02.494
12:24
di Grassi: "Good start, good first lap. Car was well behaved, had a mechanical problem, forced me to stop. Hope to get it right for the next race."
12:25
Hamilton instructed to lift to save fuel and tyres if he can't get past Rosberg.
12:26
de la Rosa passed teammate Kobayashi for 12th.
12:29
Senna pits for tyres.
12:29
Senna struggles to get away but rejoins the race, still last, of course.
12:29
Kobayashi slowed right up and has gone into the pitlane.
12:30
Kubica in for a pit stop. Kobayashi is out of the race.
12:31
Glock overtakes Kovalainen.
12:31
Hamilton on Rosberg: "He's holding me up big time."
12:32
From @rf1paddockpass: Robert's coming in for tyres, he was struggling with rear grip on the soft tyres
12:32
Petrov and Alguersuari in for their stops.
12:32
Mechanics struggling with Petrov's rear tyres.
12:34
Kubica sets the fastest lap of the race on a fresh set of tyres. Petrov is out of the car.
12:35
Hamilton told to box this lap.
12:35
From @rf1paddockpass: Suspension problem for Vitaly so game over. A great start to the race, a real shame to end early.
12:37
Clean stops for Hamilton and Schumacher.
12:37
Jenson to come in this lap.
12:37
Alonso has a clean stop. Rosberg also away but a bit slower.
12:39
Vettel pits from the lead.
12:40
Glock heads to the garage and retires. Both Virgin's out of the race.
12:42
Of the top ten, only Liuzzi and Barrichello still to stop.
12:43
Senna's engine blows up. Both Hispania cars out of the race.
12:44
McLaren warn drivers of oil at turn 9.
12:44
Barrichello pitted.
12:46
From @MikeGascoyne: Only new team still running. Lost telemetry but no problems on the car
12:46
Top ten after 21 laps: VET, ALO, MAS, HAM, ROS, MSC, BUT, WEB, BUE, LIU
12:47
From @VirginRacing: Timo's car is smelling of hot transmission fluid
12:49
Senna: "Not sure what happened. Some kind of hydraulic failure. Car started playing up on power up. No alarms, nothing to say what was going on. Race was okay, I prefer to be a bit quicker but it's experience and very valuable for us."
12:49
From @rf1paddockpass: Barrichello and Liuzzi on softs while Robert has primes. There could be some action later...
12:50
Barrichello overtakes Buemi.
12:51
Fastest sectors:
S1 - WEB 240 km/h
S2 - MAS 264 km/h
S3 - HAM 282 km/h
Trap - HAM 314 km/h
12:52
Track temperature - 36. Air temperature - 35. Humidity 6%.
12:52
Drivers who have not yet stopped - Buemi in 11th. Both Lotus, Kovi 17th and Trulli 18th.
12:54
Top three about 4 seconds apart then Hamilton a further 12 seconds down the road in fourth.
12:54
From @rf1paddockpass: Robert just got DLR into turn one. Go Bobby K!
12:55
Trulli in next lap.
12:57
Petrov: "Hit car on kerb, one piece came off from suspension, not broken, but some mechanical problem. Really nice to drive, fantastic start, good first lap, overtaking some people."
12:58
Hulkenberg has been in for a second pit stop.
12:59
From @InsideFerrari: Half of the race: still in the position to attack the first place
From Alex in the comments: TED says Vettel not as rosy. he's having to save his tyres and to start thinking about the flap adjust.
13:03
From Steven in the comments: Lewis has set the highest straight line speed so maybe the dodgy duct is working but they don't have enough downforce
13:03
Pedro de la Rosa has pitted, they are pushing him back into the garage.
13:03
From @VirginRacing: with Lucas we think a cooler split
13:06
Alonso just 1.1 seconds behind Vettel, closing up for the lead.
13:08
From Journeyer in the comments: No rookies left on the lead lap, BTW.
13:12
Rob Smedley tells Massa to watch his engine temperature.
13:12
Vettel a slow moment, Alonso ready to make his move.
13:12
Vettel reports a loss of power on the radio.
13:13
Alonso makes it look easy, into the lead.
13:14
Massa also gets past the Red Bull. A Ferrari 1-2 for now.
13:15
Lewis told he is four seconds quicker than Vettel. Currently about 10 seconds behind.
13:16
Top ten after 36 laps: ALO, MAS, VET, HAM, ROS, MSC, BUT, WEB, LIU, BAR
13:17
Alguersuari has stopped twice but is ahead of teammate Buemi - 13th and 14th.
13:17
Lapped driver - Hulkenberg, Trulli and Kovalainen.
13:18
Hamilton now 1.4 seconds behind Vettel.
13:18
Radio to Vettel: "We think an exhaust has failed."
13:20
Biggest gaps - Rosberg in 4th, 18 seconds off Hamilton. Sutil in 12th, 19 seconds off Kubica. Hulkenberg in 15th, 59 seconds off Buemi!!
13:20
Hamilton easily past Vettel for 3rd.
13:21
About ten laps to go, Vettel potentially losing two seconds a lap. Rosberg could catch him and Schumacher a possibility too.
13:22
Button just 1 second behind Schumacher.
13:24
Via the BBC live thread, Pedro de la Rosa: "The team told me on the radio that we had a hydraulic problem, I had to come in. Life is life, motor racing is like this - until then I was having fun out there. It's a shame."
13:24
Hamilton has vibrations from the front of the car.
13:25
Button closes to 0.8 behind Schumi, Webber also 0.8 behind Button.
Vettel was leading the way for the majority of the race, but mechanical problems saw him fall slowly backwards, handing the glory to Ferrari who take a dominant 1-2 victory for the first race of the 2010 season.
The first Grand Prix of 2010 is here and we are desperate to see what happens. Qualifying yesterday was great, so I can't wait to see what unfolds after such a great effort from Vettel and the two Ferrari boys.
Weather Update
So far, we've seen plenty of beautiful sunshine, really high temperatures, and quite a lot of dust as well. The track reached almost 50 degrees yesterday, and I'm expecting more of the same. Humidity looks lower than we've seen, but it's changeable.
One to Watch
Vettel is at the head of the grid and it's up to him to make the race his own. We have no idea what's going to happen in terms of strategy and tyre decisions, but with no refuelling, leading from the front is going to be a bonus.
Predictions Please
Who will get the first win of the year? Will there be any crashes? How will the first corner go down with 24 drivers heading for the same piece of track? Will there be any unexpected retirements? How will everyone handle the heat?
Circuit Guide
Bahrain Circuit Map
Don't forget that comments automatically update on this post, there is no need to refresh the page this year. You can also follow up-to-the-minute session updates via Sidepodcast's Factbyte Factbox
The Formula One season finally gets underway with Bahrain replacing Australia at the start. We've got all the information you need to know from weather to driver quotes and my own predictions.
Vital Statistics
Date: 14th March
Circuit: Bahrain International
Length: 6.3km
Laps: 49
Preview
In the first digest preview of 2010, we solicit opinions on the Bahrain circuit, recap what happened in 2009, and run through what each of the teams is hoping for from the weekend. Notably, Lotus aren't feeling that positive, whilst McLaren and Ferrari are both confident they can do well.
In this second preview edition of F1 Digest we take a look through the entry list, focusing on the teams and their new cars. How have they performed in testing? What features are on the new machines? Who has a strong lineup? All that and more will get you ready for the season to come.
The Teams
From the non-existant teams such as US F1 and Campos to those who are determined to challenge for another championship - Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes. In some teams, the drivers overshadow the cars, but we spend plenty of time discussing front wings, sidepods and shark fin engine covers.
There are new liveries to discuss, and how the teams managed their launches, plus the relationship between teammates - those who have new faces to get to know, and those who are continuing with their fellow driver from 2009.
We also take a quick look at the battle between Virgin Racing and Lotus, from testing, reliability issues, air stewardess outfits and launches. Everything is going to be different this year, and it's going to be great.
Coming up this week, we discuss tyres, skipping races, Ferrari moaning, Doctor Who, green paint, plus a special Tremayne.
Intro
Everyone in the whole world is counting down to the season now, so it must almost be here.
Good Week / Bad Week
It's been a good week for Michelin as they're contemplating coming back into F1, although we can't figure out why. Also for Ferrari as Alonso really rates their car. It's been a bad week for race fans as the Abu Dhabi race is still safe, and for Alvaro Parente who is out of a reserve driver role.
News and Views
We consider the future of US F1 and Campos. US F1 don't seem to be struggling something chronic, and I'm not happy about their desire to miss four races. If they miss four then I want to as well! Campos, though, have found a way forward at least, but it seems as though they won't be the Campos we know and, erm, love.
Testing was mixed weather, starting out rough much to Ferrari's disgust. It improved towards the end of the week though, so we evaluate who was fast, who was slow, who James Allen rates, and the Lotus/Virgin battle.
Feedback
A quick hi to a Twitter user, plus an update on the McLaren hoody contest. We get a voicemail from Dan and an email from Tom regarding the green paint situation. Zach says we are mostly fun, whilst Lewis has a major Tremayne about Twitter and liveries. Adie has launched an online magazine, Peter wasn't keen on the CSI New York episode with added motorsport references, and Mike updates on his coverage in Canada. Finally in website feedback, Darryl is impressed, whilst Dr J wants a little tweak to the breakout threads.
Housekeeping
No real housekeeping except to say there's no show next week, because of Joe's meetup on Friday, plus the real important testing over the weekend. When we return in two week's time, it's the last show before the season begins.
Fresh from delving into the new cars and their technical prowess, KerbRider is back to cast his eye over another - just as important - element of a successful team.
I want to attempt a psycho analysis of this years major driver pairings. The ones we will all be watching.
Ferrari
This for me will be one of the most intense and exciting battles of the year, and years to come. Alonso and Massa have a history. Remember the Nurburgring in 2007?
There was some rather close racing which eventually ended up in some argy bargy on and off the track.
Fernando was much quicker and trying to get past Felipe on a drying track. They had a moment at turn 5 with some banging of wheels, and the post race weigh in, and press conference, was a lot of fun to watch.
We have two Latino temperaments in the most emotionally charged outfit in the pit lane. Expect the sky at Maranello to rain fire. Gazetta de la Sport shares would be a great investment this year, as their readership will quadruple.
Fernando is a quiet genius in my eyes, and easily the best driver out there.
Fernando is a quiet genius in my eyes, and easily the best driver out there. Although the return of Voldemort will certainly make that more arguable. Lewis still has plenty of room to grow, as brilliant as he is already.
Felipe has been very impressive the past two years, and has grown enormously as a competitor with the benefit of Voldemort as a mentor. Unsurprisingly enough, this didn’t occur until the 7 time WC retired.
We should expect to see plenty of fireworks between FA and FM coming into the last half of the year. They will be media savvy and play it all down until it is obvious their despise for one another cannot be played down anymore.
Both are fiercely competitive and Massa will be territorial as Alonso will be intruding on Massa's home. Fernando wont get the measure of Massa consistently until probably 2011 as the first year with a new team is usually testing the waters. This was evident with Fernando's stint at McLaren. Besides, Massa won't allow Alonso to get the best of him.
Last year's accident is in the past, and I don’t think it will affect his overall approach to a race weekend. He certainly wont be frightened of driving the car, and he wont be slower as a result of the accident. Neither will win the title.
McLaren
McLaren have utilised the press superbly with the fact they have the two reigning WCs in their cars. It makes me wonder if that was a major factor in them hiring Button in the first place.
Lets make no mistake though, Button is quick. Well duh! I hear you say, and rightly so. But let me retort and say that there are still some question marks over Button's ability. Mainly due to the fact that he was not able to optimise his performances relative to Rubens in the latter half of 2009.
He may have been playing it safe, he may not have been as comfortable in the car as he was in the first 7 races of the year. Either way, it tarnished his championship victory.
Jenson is on the record as saying he moved to McLaren to prove he can race against the best, and there is no reason to not believe that, as he would be well aware of his reputation in the F1 community due to his tail off in performance post Turkey.
I think as people, Lewis and Jenson will get along as team mates more than friends. The reason being is that there is a slight age gap, which subsequently makes both have differing interests outside of F1.
Overall, I don’t think the team dynamic will ruffle too many feathers as both are gentlemen, but again fiercely competitive. The anger will be on track, rather than in the garage.
I expect Lewis to win the year for several reasons. One being is that Lewis is ultimately quicker in an ill handling car, and copes when the car doesn’t suit him better than Jenson does. 2009 proves that resoundingly. And with heavy cars and low(ish) grip tyres, this should fit into Lewis's domain more than Jensons.
Also Lewis will qualify consistently better, and create his own luck whereas Jenson will require the luck to fall upon him. Another reason is that Lewis is part of the McLaren furniture, and Jenson was in the right place at the right time. Again!
Red Bull
Sebby V in his third full year of F1 will push hard for the championship. I'd expect him to be top 3 at minimum. Where does that leave Mark? He surprised a bit last year with how close he pushed Sebastian. Especially once the circus got back to Europe, and the leg was healing better.
If it wasn’t for a string of 5 unlucky races for Mark from Valencia to Singapore, the end result might have been quite different. A mistake from the pit crew in Spa cost him a podium. The car was not suited to both Monza and Valencia. Vettel only scored 1 point from these two races. In Singapore he had brake fade, which was probably his own causing, and Japan he made a critical mistake in practice which cost him a Q3 run. He set the fastest lap.
Sebastian created his own bad luck last year which cost him a chance to win the championship
Sebastian created his own bad luck last year which I think cost him a chance to win the championship in Abu Dhabi. He lost 6 points in Australia, which I saw up close and personal. That led to a bad qualifying position in Malaysia. He made a big error of judgement in Monaco with tyres, which he will have no doubt learned from for this year.
This pairing will be the one to watch for purely sporting reasons I think. RBR will stick to their equal opportunity philosophy until the last minute, as will McLaren. Ferrari will have no choice.
Sebastian is driven to win. He has a genuine need to win like Schumacher does. It bodes well for a future champion. Whereas Mark, has more of a point to prove. He is as determined as anyone out there, and his fitness is unquestionable. Tony Purnell once commented that he was amazed that Ferrari were not looking to Mark to replace Schumacher once he retired. A big rap, I believe.
Sebastian may be more prone to errors than Mark, but Mark, as is his nature, will be more prone to catching bad luck. So again I expect a close battle between the two, but ultimately, Sebastian should end up on top in what again will be the car of the year.
Mercedes
Voldemort V Rosberg. This will be interesting to see how this dynamic reacts to the media bewilderment. Will it be a master and apprentice situation like Schumacher and Massa? Or will Schumacher do what he always has done, and hide his telemetry from his internal rival. I, for one, hope he doesn’t. I, for one, hope Ross doesn’t allow it.
His testing point of view alone should see Mercedes develop a strong car. It remains to be seen whether it will be up the pecking order in Bahrain.
Make no mistake, Schuey will be quick, and the pressure is really on Nico now to deliver. I hope he does, because I think he has matured well under Williams and last year he had some impressive races. Singapore was one until he blew it exiting the pit lane.
I'm predicting Schumacher to win this battle, but I cant wait to be proven wrong. This could ruin Nico's career. I don’t think either way it will propel him to superstardom. He lacks the charisma and personality. Fernando, Lewis and Sebby V have it all in spades. Nico has the Finnish persona that Kimi carries so well.
The questions at this point pre-season will be, if Nico beats Schumacher, will he fulfil the three year term at Mercedes. If Schumacher beats Nico, will he go the way of Heidfeld as an also ran that never reached a peak anyone noticed?
This is the team that will define careers. Schumacher could go the way of Alan Jones as a former world champion that never got back in the game, or he could launch an even greater legend in f1 folklore. I doubt he will go the way of Alan Jones.
Nico could be made to be a great number 2, or the man who beat the statistically greatest driver F1 will ever see, and create his own legend.
