Sidepodcast

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.

• 11:36

  The BBC coverage is available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8565962.stm

• 11:37

  And Autosport Live: http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/191

• 11:38

  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.

• 11:59

  Nico and a rather loud shirt: http://twitpic.com/18jie8

• 12:00

  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

• 12:59

  Inside the Lotus garage: http://twitpic.com/18jrcd

• 13:02

  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.

• 13:28

  In the Renault garage: http://twitpic.com/18jwiy

• 13:28

  From @MikeGascoyne: Hydraulic problem for jarno, trying to get to flag

• 13:30

  Lewis told the team are happy with his tyres.

• 13:36

  Rob Smedley looking very closely at Massa's car - leaning over the pit wall, and eyeing up the television screens.

• 13:36

  Alsono gets the fastest lap of the race so far.

• 13:37

  Rosberg is 2 seconds behind Vettel, with three laps to go.

• 13:39

  Kubica is 11th. From @rf1paddockpass: Looks like we'll finish in the most frustrating position of all...

• 13:41

  Buemi is out of the race, yellow flags.

• 13:41

  No Safety Cars in the first race of 2010.

• 13:44

  Final points to: ALO, MAS, HAM, VET, ROS, MSC, BUT, WEB, LIU, BAR.
  
  Full results shortly.

• 13:45

  From @tonyfernandes: last lap come on boys you have done britain and malaysia proud and especially colin chapman.

• 13:45

  Vettel stops just after reaching the finish line.

• 13:47

  Trulli has also stopped.

• 13:55

  Full Results: http://sidepodcast.com/2010/03/14/bahrain-2010-race-results/

• 13:57

  Thanks to everyone for joining in live commenting today. The FBFB enjoyed your company and will be back soon!

Session Started:

13/03/2010 at 10:30 GMT

Session Ended:

13/03/2010 at 12:13 GMT

• 10:30

  Hello everyone, welcome back - qualifying is just 30 minutes away!

• 10:30

  The big news is that we were all wrong and Chandhok should be able to compete in qualifying, if he has the car to do so. The "three laps in practice" rule is correct, but qualifying counts as practice. @ManipeF1 called it as such hours ago.

• 10:31

  Some weather info from @H_Kovalainen: Wind has made conditions different today, quite normal for #Bahrain, affecting braking, tailwind more difficult, headwind feels great!!

• 10:32

  Lotus setting sights high, @MikeGascoyne: Need a good performance from both drivers and the whole team to qualify as best new team

• 10:34

  Martin Brundle on quali: "We'll lose seven drivers in the first part of qualifying and we should know who those will be in Bahrain. In the past, we've seen some grandees fall out in Q1 but that shouldn't happen this time. Q2 should be super busy. Ringers like Force India and Sauber appear to have a seriously good turn of speed so we might see some shocks."

• 10:35

  The BBC online coverage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8564532.stm

• 10:43

  Chandhok is philosophical about going out in quali. He says the expectations are less, he's just getting experience, even as far as just checking the seat works. He wants to keep out of everyone's way.

• 10:45

  Autosport Live is now... live: http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/190

• 10:49

  From BBC Live: Did you know that since the Bahrain Grand Prix started in 2004, every driver that claimed pole after qualifying finished on the podium on race day? Great stat that.

• 10:49

  From @MikeGascoyne: 10 mins to go to qualifying. Due to the long lap will be just 2 runs in Q1, both on the softer tyre

• 10:52

  From @ToroRossoSpy: Jaime pays 400 euros for speeding in pit lane this morning. Just 1.2 km/h over limit. Ouch!

• 10:54

  Ferrari not confident? @InsideFerrari: Engines are warming up. Few minutes to the start of quali session. It will be very tight and difficult...

• 10:57

  Track temperature - 47. Air temperature - 34. Humidity 8%.

• 10:58

  From @rf1paddockpass: Cars are ready to go, final fire ups underway and the drivers are strapped in. This is where it gets really interesting...

• 10:59

  Heikki in the car: http://twitpic.com/18amdb

• 11:01

  Ferrari reply: "We`realistic...." @InsideFerrari Good to hear!

• 11:01

  Session begins. Glock and di Grassi out on track.

• 11:02

  From @EliGP: No prizes for guessing which six drivers will be out in Q1, but who will be the seventh...

• 11:03

  No one in a major hurry to get out on track, despite the fact the lap will take longer and traffic is going to be an issue.

• 11:05

  Di Grassi sets the first time of the session: 2:02.131, swiftly beaten by Glock by an entire second.

• 11:06

  Alonso puts in the first realistic time: 1:55.972 for Ferrari.

• 11:07

  Only two cars not out on track = Vettel and Webber.

• 11:07

  That means Chandhok is out there somewhere.

• 11:11

  Karun's first time: 2:21.793. Eek!

• 11:11

  On McLaren radio, Button says: "Getting traffic at the end of the lap was a problem." Then: "Did people find time on their second lap?"

• 11:13

  McLaren replied: "Some people have found time on their second lap but it's not a lot."

• 11:13

  Chandhok improves to a 2:08.424. From 21 seconds off the pace to 13.

• 11:14

  Only six drivers out on track right now, top three Massa, Vettel, Webber.

• 11:14

  Kubica is complaining of too much understeer in the middle of the corner.

• 11:15

  To confirm that, @rf1paddockpass: Vitaly P12 after his first soft tyre run. Balance a bit understeery but seems reasonable. More understeer.

• 11:17

  The bottom seven at the moment: Kobayashi, Trulli, Glock, Kovalainen, Di Grassi, Senna, Chandhok.

• 11:17

  David Croft on 5live saying only Kobayashi has a genuine chance of getting out of the bottom seven.

• 11:18

  Top four are in the pits, job done. Vettel, Webber, Massa and Rosberg.

• 11:19

  Alonso up in P1.

• 11:20

  Kobayashi has not yet improved from 18th. Chandhok has returned to the pitlane.

• 11:20

  Senna in pits, not Chandhok. Apologies.

• 11:20

  Kobayashi moves up to 15th, dropping de la Rosa into the drop zone.

• 11:21

  De la Rosa improves to 15th, dropping Alguersuari down into 15th.

• 11:21

  18th!

• 11:22

  Fastest three: Alonso, Vettel, Sutil.
  
  Dropping out: Alguersuari, Glock, Trulli, Kovalainen, Di Grassi, Senna, Chandhok.

• 11:22

  Chandhok finished the session 10 seconds off the pace.

• 11:23

  From @VirginRacing: Best qualifying of the new teams. Fantastic job guys! :-)))

• 11:24

  It looks as though Alguersuari did really badly, but @ManipeF1: Alg made a mistake in S2 on his final lap.

• 11:27

  Q2 gets underway with Vettel out first, followed by Buemi.

• 11:28

  Comment from Mr C: "Q2 is probably the important important session of the weekend. no red flags in Q1 either."

• 11:29

  From BBC Live, Sir Jackie Stewart: "The most impressive driver in that session for me was Adrian Sutil, he has done very well to be in third..." As spotted by Iain.

• 11:31

  All out on track bar Kobayashi and de la Rosa.

• 11:32

  The Saubers have joined the pack - everyone out on track.

• 11:33

  Vettel has returned to the pits from P1 - a 1:54.035.

• 11:35

  From @Jamesallenonf1: We've already learned that the s/soft tyre is at least 1/2 sec faster than medium, but remember top 10 must race tyre they qualify on

• 11:36

  All back in the pits bar DLR, KOB, PET.

• 11:36

  Button on McLaren radio: "The tyres lasted better than they did this morning."

• 11:37

  Hamilton on McLaren radio: "Car is sliding around a bit, it's very hot for the tyres."

• 11:37

  All cars in the pits.

• 11:38

  Renault hard at work: http://twitpic.com/18asal

• 11:38

  Bottom seven at the moment, ahead of the final rush: Button, Liuzzi, Hulkenberg, De la Rosa, Kobayashi, Petrov, Buemi.

• 11:40

  Buemi heads up this second wave of cars, followed by Sutil. It looks like the last man out was Barrichello, behind Massa.

• 11:42

  Barrichello is just about to cross the line to start his final flying lap. Does he make it? With about five seconds to go!

• 11:42

  Liuzzi not improved, will drop out.

• 11:43

  Button into the top ten... tenth.

• 11:44

  Fastest three - Vettel, Alonso, Webber.
  
  Dropping out - Barrichello, Liuzzi, Hulkenberg, De la Rosa, Buemi, Kobayashi, Petrov.

• 11:45

  Kubica gets into the top ten - currently 7th. Petrov way down in 17th.

• 11:48

  From @autosportlive: A very difficult decision for the race engineers now - do they go for pace on the softer tyres or race durability on the harder choice.

• 11:49

  Hamilton on the radio: "Can I get an overlay of my times so I can see where I can improve."

• 11:49

  McLaren response: "Printing one out for you now, Lewis."

• 11:50

  Green light.

• 11:50

  Massa out first, followed by Alonso.

• 11:51

  From @InsideFerrari: For sure an improvement compared to last year` qualis...:-))

• 11:51

  From @rf1paddockpass: Great job from Bobby K and more to come hopefully with a few tweaks to the balance.

• 11:52

  Massa and Alonso on the super-soft compound.

• 11:53

  From @eddstrawF1: Rosberg has been outpacing Schuey all weekend at Mercedes. Looking good to do it when it really counts in Q3.

• 11:54

  Alonso beats Massa, Hamilton in third.

• 11:56

  Sutil leaves the pitlane. Massa returns.

• 11:56

  Button didn't set a lap time.

• 11:57

  From @rf1paddockpass: So far track seems slower this session. Probably the rising temps, it's the hottest day of the weekend so far.

• 11:57

  All cars now out on track.

• 11:58

  Two minutes to go.

• 11:58

  Steven has noted: "Schumacher last to leave the pits."

• 11:59

  Sutil moves up to third. Final laps begin.

• 11:59

  Vettel very fast through S1.

• 12:00

  Vettel fastest through S2.

• 12:00

  Vettel up to P1.

• 12:00

  Webber into 4th.

• 12:01

  Massa 2nd. Hamilton 4th.

• 12:01

  Alonso 3rd.

• 12:01

  Button 7th.

• 12:01

  Schumacher 7th. Rosberg 5th.

• 12:02

  Top Ten: VET, MAS, ALO, HAM, ROS, WEB, MSC, BUT, KUB

• 12:02

  Missed off SUT.

• 12:09

  Full results: http://sidepodcast.com/2010/03/13/bahrain-2010-qualifying-results/

• 12:12

  Thanks to everyone for joining the FBFB today. We'll be back tomorrow for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Session Started:

13/03/2010 at 07:30 GMT

Session Ended:

13/03/2010 at 09:11 GMT

• 07:30

  Good morning. I hope everyone is ready for an F1-filled day.

• 07:34

  Lots and lots of tweeting from teams and drivers. Let's start with @ToroRossoSpy: Seb's oil leak fixed, so he's hoping for more laps this morning.

• 07:36

  From @The_Real_JB: Yesterday went pretty well, tried different fuel loads and compared the two compounds of tyres we have here.. It's good to be back racing!!

• 07:38

  From @H_Kovalainen: Everything ready for 3rd practice. Gonna check my weight with my race kit on before the session to make sure we are in quali trim!!

• 07:40

  From @InsideFerrari: After a long night of work in the garave, everything is ready for P3. It will be a very important session as we will have to prepare Q.

• 07:40

  A great picture from Lotus: http://twitpic.com/189my2

• 07:42

  Some betting info. From @TheVanquish: Alonso & Hamilton joint 3/1 favourites for pole this morning according to Paddypower.com, winning team Ferrari 6/4, McLaren 9/4

• 07:43

  From @CroftyF1: Been studying pit stop practice this morning. The McLaren boys look well drilled. Their pre-season boot camp has worked wonders

• 07:44

  Here are the Mercedes team having a go at a pit stop: http://twitpic.com/1897ps

• 07:46

  @clubforce: Only a couple of runs for Adrian this am - track conditions not ideal and the old F1 cars have dropped oil over the track as well...

• 07:47

  The BBC online coverage should be available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8564532.stm.

• 07:47

  And Autosport Live have started as well: http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/189

• 07:49

  More great stuff from @clubforce: Same programme for tonio too, track is also so long that one run seems to takes an eternity! Baseline then some tyre work too.

• 07:56

  Track temperature - 41. Air temperature - 32. Humidity 12%.

• 07:57

  Chandhok has his helmet on and is talking to an engineer. Good signs!

• 07:58

  A picture from Tony Fernandes: http://tweetphoto.com/14214501

• 08:00

  Green light - two Force Indias out first.

• 08:02

  You can view more info than you'd ever need from McLaren at McLaren.com.

• 08:02

  Chandhok needs to take part in at least three laps to take part in the rest of the weekend.

• 08:04

  From @InsideFerrari: Done the installation lap: all OK for both drivers.

• 08:09

  From @VirginRacing: Timo's done his installation lap. Lucas is in the car looking purposeful.

• 08:10

  From BBC Live - Sarah Holt: Ferrari say that neither Fernando Alonso or Felipe Massa did any qualifying simulation on Friday but both will be keen to get an idea of their true pace on the desert circuit. Michael Schumacher reckons he is still a little rusty when he comes to finding his maximum performance over one lap and was miffed to be out-performed by his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in both early practice sessions.

• 08:10

  Just di Grassi and Hamilton out on track at the moment.

• 08:12

  di Grassi reports a problem with the gearbox on his installation lap.

• 08:12

  Hamilton says: "Car feels good. It's very hot out there."

• 08:13

  Button says: "It would be good to see someone else do a lap first."

• 08:15

  Vettel sets the first lap time of the day - a 1:55.178.

• 08:15

  In the comments, Steven notes: Everyone except HRT has completed an installation lap

• 08:16

  di Grassi on the radio: "I don't have seventh gear... and the gear shift itself is slow, takes half a second. Everything else is good."

• 08:16

  Chandhok says there is still a problem with the hydraulics on his car, won't let him go into first gear.

• 08:21

  Senna has left the garage.

• 08:21

  It's busy out there right now, just five cars still in the pitlane.

• 08:22

  A tyre rolls down the track, potentially off a Virgin car.

• 08:22

  Timo Glock's Virgin is returning to the garage with only three tyres.

• 08:23

  Meanwhile, Alonso goes fastest with a 1:55.105.

• 08:23

  Bruno Senna did really well to spot the wheel and avoid it.

• 08:24

  Massa drops the times with a 1:54.761

• 08:24

  Glock has made it safely back to the garage.

• 08:26

  Technical Delegate Joe Bauer in the Virgin garage, investigating the situation. He doesn't look happy.

• 08:29

  From @rf1paddockpass: Vitaly's reporting a bit too much oversteer at the moment

• 08:31

  Ted reports the wheel gun wasn't doing the wheel nut up tightly enough, all the wheels on di Grassi's car were also loose!

• 08:31

  Fastest sectors:

  • S1 - MAS 249 km/h
  • S2 - BUT 275 km/h
  • S3 - BUT 286 km/h
  • Trap - HAM 312 km/h

• 08:32

  Fastest three after half an hour - Massa, Rosberg, Alonso.

• 08:32

  Di Grassi, Senna and Chandhok still to set a time.

• 08:33

  From @VirginRacing: We are going over timo's car with a fine tooth comb now

• 08:33

  McLaren have noted the track is clear and it's a good time to do another run.

• 08:37

  From @Jamesallenonf1: Senna is 40 km/h slower at speed trap on sector 2, which is the new section. That could cause problems in Q1 for the front runners

• 08:40

  From @MyLotusRacing: Heikki reporting on pit comms that car is "feeling better and better. Rear was a bit nervous but last in lap whole thing felt much better"

• 08:41

  And from @rf1paddockpass: Vitaly's heading back out after a set-up change to help the balance

• 08:41

  Track temperature - 45. Air temperature - 32. Humidity 10%.

• 08:42

  Gloves on: http://twitpic.com/18a0pd

• 08:44

  Ted reports Hamilton is out for the rest of the session, problem with the left front wheel.

• 08:45

  From @tonyfernandes: at the pit wall, 16 mins to go for last practise . sitting next to jody our chief race engineer. learning lots . its hot out here in bahrain

• 08:47

  From the McLaren site: "The team are looking into a possible problem with one of Lewis' brake ducts."

• 08:49

  Ted on Lewis: "The aerodynamicist and engineers have already been taking photos of it, and those images will be sent back to Woking immediately to find a fix in time for qualifying. But Lewis is not going to get any running on low fuel and soft tyres ahead of qualifying."

• 08:51

  From @VirginRacing: It doesn't seem to have put timo off! Very pleased to see him under 2 minutes

• 08:52

  Alonso pops up to P1 - 1:54.099

• 08:56

  Holly reports Karun's car still up on the jacks. He won't be out this session, and therefore not the rest of the weekend either.

• 08:58

  Rosberg puts in two purple sectors but dropped time in the last sector to come in second.

• 09:02

  Session over: ALO, ROS, WEB, MSC, VET, MAS, BUT, KUB, LIU, HUL.
  
  Full results coming soon.

• 09:07

  Full results: http://sidepodcast.com/2010/03/13/bahrain-2010-free-practice-3-results/

• 09:10

  Thanks to everyone for joining us. The Factbyte Factbox will return at 10:30 GMT.

Session Started:

12/03/2010 at 10:30 GMT

Session Ended:

12/03/2010 at 12:42 GMT

• 10:30

  Hello everyone, welcome back.

• 10:31

  Let's get straight on with the good stuff. From @MikeGascoyne: Some new aero parts on the car for this afternoon and moving the weight distribution forward. Track will also improve

• 10:34

  From the BBC live thread earlier, Lee McK: Karun Chanhok is frustratingly watching from the sidelines as his Hispania car won't be ready in time for him to make his F1 bow during first practice... Karun, who lives in Brackley where his local Indian restaurant has named a dish in his honour, really needs to get some running under his belt as this is Hispania's shakedown.

• 10:37

  For reference, the BBC live thread and video: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8560745.stm. It's not started yet though.

• 10:39

  From @Marissali: There's a #lotus chassis in the paddock in bubblewrap and a cardboard box... Fresh off. The jet, I imagine :) #F1

• 10:44

  BBC live thread discussing who they think will win the title: The names mentioned: Alonso, Hamilton, Button, Schumacher and… Adrian Sutil. The colleague who mentioned the Force India driver then changed that prediction to Alonso but the deed is now done and we are holding him to it.

• 10:46

  Heikki says the problem regarding the burning air is fixed. Eh-hem. http://twitter.com/H_Kovalainen/statuses/10366632849

• 10:46

  From @redbullf1spy: Air temp 33°C; track temp 48°C before P2. It's hotter than the accumulated temperature of the three winter tests combined…

• 10:47

  Autosport Live thread now open.

• 10:52

  A pic of Heikki in the car: http://twitpic.com/182r3m

• 10:53

  http://twitpic.com/182r3m

• 10:58

  Maurice says Toro Rosso and other teams struggling with rear tyre wear.

• 11:00

  Green light is on, Alguesuari out first.

• 11:03

  Michael Schumacher asked to have the garage switched around when he arrived.

• 11:05

  Di Grassi is out early this session.

• 11:06

  Alguersuari sets the first lap time of FP2 - 2:02.757, immediately beaten by Kobayashi.

• 11:07

  From A-Live: Petrov has a problem with his Renault - the headrest foam has come loose on the main straight and he will be pitting to have that fixed.

• 11:10

  Button puts down the first realistic benchmark - 1:56.944.

• 11:12

  Drivers still to come out of the garage - Rosberg, Chandhok, Senna, Glock.

• 11:15

  Legard on BBC Live: "Bruno Senna finally took the Hispania car out on track during first practice in Bahrain and has reported back that he still needs the cockpit to be made more comfortable - apparently he keeps banging his elbows. He also wants the headrest to be adjusted."

• 11:15

  Hamilton on the radio: "Rears are destroyed."

• 11:21

  Williams having a quiet day so far, Nico 5th, Rubens 6th. FP1 leader Sutil down in 8th.

• 11:21

  From @EliGP: Carabante now says Chandhok could go out in about half an hour

• 11:23

  Just four drivers out on track, Petrov, Massa, Webber, di Grassi.

• 11:24

  Vettel had a bit of a wobble, ran wide, messed up his tyres a little.

• 11:24

  Good explanation from Alia: You can use up to 10 sets of tyres in FP2, but if you use more than 2, you'll have worn tyres among the 8 you have left on Saturday morning, which isn't ideal (1 set got handed back at the end of FP1).

• 11:25

  Small piece of rear wing end plate fell off Trulli's Lotus. This morning his mirror fell off.

• 11:27

  Hamilton gets a purple first sector on softs.

• 11:27

  Hamilton runs off track on softs!

• 11:28

  Senna leaves the garage.

• 11:30

  Fastest sectors after half an hour:

  • S1 - SUT 246 km/h
  • S2 - BUT 272 km/h
  • S3 - LIU 287 km/h
  • Trap - KUB 311km/h

• 11:30

  Track temperature - 47. Air temperature - 34.

• 11:31

  Top three after half an hour - Rosberg, Hamilton, Schumacher.

• 11:32

  BBC's Sarah Holt says: "The word is that Adrian Sutil's table-topping time for Force India from first practice was set with just a splash of fuel in the tank."

• 11:35

  5live reports that Vettel is having his brakes changed.

• 11:35

  The Williams team and their many screens: http://twitpic.com/182wx0

• 11:38

  Massa has completed the most laps so far with 17. Buemi has the least completed with 1, whilst Chandhok and Glock have still to leave the garage.

• 11:42

  5live say: From Spain onwards, F1 stewards will be separate for GP2 stewards so decisions should be coming quicker.

• 11:46

  Senna's time: 2:09.115 - 13 seconds off the pace.

• 11:47

  x2 Lotus cars: http://twitpic.com/182yog

• 11:49

  From @VirginRacing: Timo is being belted in. Lucas very happy with the aero balance.

• 11:50

  Alguersuari spun on track, narrowly missed the barrier, continues onwards.

• 11:51

  From @TonyFernandes: arrived in bahrain. At the track. Second practise. Heikki out on track. our team looks very professional. Jarno going out.

• 11:52

  Chandhok on 5live: "Problem with clutch and gearbox, can't seem to get it fixed, not confident they'll get out this afternoon."

• 11:53

  Webber is out of the car, wandering around the pitlane, talking to Christian Horner.

• 11:55

  Chandhok says that four weeks ago they just had two monocoques sitting in the garage, and they've all pushed hard to get here. He's disappointed he can't get out but knows everyone is doing their best.

• 11:56

  From @VirginRacing: The virgins are on the track! First time we've had both cars on the circuit at the same time. Good feeling!

• 11:57

  From @rf1paddockpass: Car bouncing about in the new section of track. Both guys commented that it's pretty bumpy

• 11:58

  Fastest sectors after one hour:

  • S1 - ROS 248 km/h
  • S2 - PET 273 km/h
  • S3 - LIU 287 km/h
  • Trap - KUB 311 km/h

• 11:58

  Track temperature - 39. Air temperature - 34.

• 11:58

  Fastest three after one hour: Rosberg, Hamilton, Schumacher.

• 11:58

  Glock has finally left the garage.

• 11:59

  Massa still completed the most laps with 21, Vettel and Senna the least (of those setting times) with 7. Buemi and Chandhok have no time.

• 12:01

  From @EliGP: Seven GP2 drivers went quicker in practice than what Senna has managed so far in the HRT

• 12:01

  Webber really unhappy, the car has a driveshaft problem.

• 12:06

  Vettel radio: It's breezy out there, the car is sliding a lot, doesn't feel quick. Grip is better on his tyres, but generally a bad feeling all round.

• 12:07

  Down the field, only two drivers are improving their times. Hulkenberg has done two green sectors, de la Rosa just put in a first green sector, and Senna is improving at the rear of the field.

• 12:08

  Make that three for Nico.

• 12:08

  The cars will be 25% heavier at the start of the race now they are stocked up with fuel.

• 12:09

  From @rf1paddockpass: Vitaly's back out for a longer run. He's still in top 10, a good first day at the office

• 12:13

  An update from @EliGP: All F1 cars are now quicker than a GP2 one. At least those who have set a time

• 12:15

  From @Jamesallenonf1: Lotus and HRT are outside 107%, if that rule were in place now. Lotus only just. Todt is speaking this afternoon, see if 107% comes up

• 12:16

  Nick Heidfeld watching proceedings: http://twitpic.com/1832qd

• 12:16

  http://twitpic.com/1832qd

• 12:18

  More overtaking during practice - Alonso passes Vettel.

• 12:19

  And Kobayashi took to the dust to get past Senna.

• 12:21

  Glock is faster than di Grassi by a tenth of a second, but has only completed 3 laps to Lucas' 16.

• 12:24

  We're seeing a vast field spread so far in 2010. Top ten within two seconds, which is what we would have seen last year. Followed by the remainder of the field at varying degrees off the pace. From 4 seconds, to 5, 6, 9 and 12.

• 12:27

  All drivers out on track bar Hamilton, Webber and Glock, plus Buemi and Chandhok who have not been out at all.

• 12:28

  Kovalainen appears to be the only man improving at the moment.

• 12:28

  From @autosportlive: Hamilton has ended his running earlier than most of the others and is chatting to the engineers in the McLaren garage.

• 12:29

  With no sign of Chandhok, he will go into Saturday practice without having turned a wheel out on track. Tough ask for the rookie.

• 12:31

  Session over. Top ten - ROS, HAM, MSC, BUT, VET, HUL, MAS, PET, ALO, DLR.
  
  Full results soon.

• 12:31

  Bruno Senna pulls to a halt out on track.

• 12:32

  Wheel nut came off the rear right wheel of the HRT.

• 12:39

  Full results: Free Practice 2

• 12:41

  Thanks to everyone for two fabulous sessions. Factbyte Factbox will be back tomorrow. See you then!

Session Started:

12/03/2010 at 06:30 GMT

Session Ended:

12/03/2010 at 08:44 GMT

• 06:30

  Good morning Fact-Fans.

• 06:32

  From @5LiveF1: all quiet in the pitlane, drivers out by the start finish line for the driver photos... calm before the storm...

• 06:32

  From @clubforce: Seemed to be a late night for the most of the paddock, especially the new boys. Just seen Bruno Senna's HRT going to scrutineering

• 06:35

  From @jakehumphreyF1: Off to the grid to film a link for Sunday's opener alongside EVERY driver & car! Also, all living F1 World Champs here this weekend.

  As has been suggested so many times before... Kimi?

• 06:35

  "As has been suggested so many times before... Kimi?" was added by the FBFB.

• 06:39

  It was confirmed yesterday that Alain Prost will serve as a steward in Bahrain, one of the first ex-drivers to do so. Full story: Prost joins stewards for Bahrain

• 06:42

  A link to the BBC thread: F1 - Live - Bahrain GP Practice

• 06:43

  From @ToroRossoSpy: Hispania Racing have no seats on their pit wall set up. Maybe the engineers are not planning on being there too long.

• 06:47

  Autosport Live have also woken up: Friday Practice 1

• 06:47

  Track temperature 35 degrees, air temperature 28 degrees.

  Via @clubforce.

• 06:48

  Spotted by Lukeh, posted by @TheFifthDriver: http://twitpic.com/181w2d

• 06:54

  A similar photograph from @MyLotusRacing: http://twitpic.com/181x1p

• 06:55

  The BBC feed has begun.

• 06:59

  From @rf1paddockpass: Engines firing up. 3 mins to go. Vitaly getting settled in the car for his first ever F1 session...

• 07:00

  Green light.

• 07:00

  Trulli out first.

• 07:04

  Top five: Trulli, Alguersuari, Buemi, Kovi and Sutil. Top four back in pits.

• 07:09

  From @sarahholtf1: The new Hispania team are frantically assembling their car with Senna and Chandhok watching. Will they get in the car during this session?

• 07:10

  Glock the only man out on track.

• 07:11

  From @ToroRossoSpy: Installation laps ok. Now in garage for quite a while.

• 07:11

  Chandhok, Senna, di Grassi the only three not to go out at all yet.

• 07:12

  Senna says his car is almost ready to go, but Karun's might not be ready for this session.

• 07:14

  Track temp dropped to 37, air up to 29, wind: 2 m/s from 74.

• 07:16

  From A-Live: This traditional quiet period may extend for some time here, with the usual lack of interest in running on a dusty circuit.

• 07:18

  Both Sauber drivers are hanging out in the garage. Neither have helmets on, neither look to be going out in a hurry.

• 07:21

  Stefano: Ferrari not at the front, behind main competitors but the season is long and he's "staying cool."

• 07:22

  Kovalainen heads out on track.

• 07:24

  From A-Live: Tyre allocation has been reduced this year, with only 11 sets available to each driver. One set of the harder, 'prime' rubber compound must be handed back after this session, so the teams have some motivation to run this morning.

• 07:26

  Karun Chandhok not even in his race overalls.

• 07:27

  First lap time to Kovi: 2:07.702.

• 07:30

  Comment from Mr C: bob bell saying the mclaren wing is "completely illegal".

• 07:31

  Second car to go out - Trulli. Lotus putting in the laps this morning.

• 07:33

  From BBC live thread - Sarah Holt: The intense desert heat is enough to make anything wilt and the atmosphere ahead of 2010's season-opener felt a little subdued as Formula 1 made its first stop in Bahrain. A temperature check on day one clocked 29C and most people stayed hidden in the shade of the wide paddock -there weren't quite the lively, back-to-school spirits experienced at 2009's Australian curtain-raiser.

• 07:37

  Hamilton hits the track, now it's a bit cleaner.

• 07:40

  Funny tweet from @Scott_Joslin_F1: Breaking News! FIA rules Mclaren's wing illegal after it was found out it would take effort from Renault to understand!

• 07:41

  From A-Live: Hamilton is 1.4 seconds quicker than Kovalainen's Lotus through the first sector. Team-mate Button is now on track as well.

• 07:42

  A more representative time from LewHam: 1:57.759

• 07:44

  Maurice Hamilton says talk of new teams being a danger is ridiculous - top drivers should be able to navigate everyone else on the field.

• 07:44

  Lots of drivers heading out of the pit lane now. Hamilton still top for now.

• 07:45

  From @clubforce: action! tonio strapped in the car going out for first run of the day, 7 timed laps, prime tyres

• 07:49

  From A-Live: The newly-extended middle sector with its series of twisting corners is taking over a minute to navigate on these early runs.

• 07:51

  From @adamcooperf1 regarding HRT drivers: They've been watching the on-board footage from other cars to get an idea of what the new section looks like

• 07:51

  From @rf1paddockpass: Main updates on the car for this race: front wing as per Barcelona test, floor and top body.

• 07:53

  Massa overtakes a slower Pedro de la Rosa down the home straight.

• 07:54

  Great comment from James: We just saw what might be the only overtake of the weekend ;)

• 07:56

  Alonso fastest, dropping times down to 1:56.909.

• 07:59

  Vettel has a bit of an off. Many drivers have done so, finding the limits of the track. The new section of track is rather bumpy as well. Replays show several cars sending sparks flying.

• 08:00

  Comment from Steven: Michael is not happy #shame

• 08:03

  Kovi says back of his seat is really hot and he's burning.

• 08:03

  Or his feet. One or the other.

• 08:04

  Mike Gascoyne says hydraulic line is touching his leg, they can insulate it no problem.

• 08:06

  Sutil in P1 - 1:56.888

• 08:07

  From @LiamWF1: Power supply problems on the pod on Rubens side of the garage has slightly delayed his programme in P1

• 08:08

  Senna in the car, ready to hit the track.

• 08:09

  The Hispania car heads out for the first time ever (with a bit of a push) - the Senna name returns to F1... tentatively.

• 08:12

  Bruno back in the garage again, installation lap complete.

• 08:13

  15 minutes to go - track temperature up to 42 degrees.

• 08:15

  A-Live: Adrian Sutil found another tenth of a second during that first serious run of laps. The best time is now 1m56.583s. Seven drivers are within one second of his pace.

• 08:17

  Speed traps:
  

  • S1 - SUT 249 km/h
  • S2 - BUT 275 km/h
  • S3 - HAM 290 km/h
  • Trap - HAM 331 km/h

• 08:19

  From @clubforce: both drivers reporting a big bump through turn six that unsettles the car in a big way

• 08:21

  Glock is out on track in the Virgin Racing car, di Grassi remains in the garage.

• 08:23

  Ten minutes to go, seven drivers still in the pits. Chandhok not been out at all. Senna been out for one lap, di Grassi two.

• 08:25

  Kovalainen completed the most laps so far - 18 and still going.

• 08:32

  Session over.
  
  
  
  SUT, ALO, KUB, MAS, BUT, HAM, LIU, ROS, WEB, MSC
  
  
  
  Full results shortly.

• 08:40

  Full results: Free Practice 1

• 08:40

  Thanks to everyone for joining us. Factbyte Factbox returns at 10:30 for Free Practice 2.