Official 2012 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain GP Thread

[Sump]

Whelp looks like the race is going forward.

Bit more of a technical track than China but I think we're going to see the same 3 teams at the front: Mercedes, Mclaren, Red Bull (kind of).

Alonso and Massa seem to do well here, but the Ferrari is a dog, so I'm not expecting much.

[Binary Star]

protests are still going...



Either way... should be another fun race but won't match China's action most likely due to the track layout. But the heat should be pretty high for the tires... I doubt anyone would attempt a two stop strategy here (at least anyone at the front).

Cool little facts I came across today on Twitter:

- Vettel, Lewis, Jensen, Alonso and Webber have won the last 44 races before Rosberg broke that spell.
- Last six races have won by six different drivers (going back to 2011 obviously). Most consecutive races won by different drivers is 9 (1961-1962 and 1982).

https://twitter.com/#!/F1_Raymond_F1

EDIT: Ferrari's quick release jack:

[Sump]

Good article by Brundle on the season so far: http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/...heat-into-2012

Helmut Marko (Red Bull head dude) on their 2012 car: http://en.espnf1.com/redbull/motorsp...ory/76110.html

Interesting quote from him:

As for why Webber feels more comfortable in the updated car, Marko added: "Mark is less sensitive to the [car's] behaviour. He just needs four wheels, but it's different for Vettel."

[Kidstar]

That jack guy is levitating...

[Blue2.0]

I hope nothing bad happens over there to any of the teams and/or drivers.

[01jetta01]

I expect Mercedes and McLaren to be up front. I know it's a different track but it's only a week later, can't expect any surprise right?

[kfzmeister]

I expect Mercedes and McLaren to be up front. I know it's a different track but it's only a week later, can't expect any surprise right?

I think Merc is gonna have a harder time with their tires lasting in the race. I would expect McLaren and RB to have a better race pace and perhaps a better showing from Sauber and Lotus.
This track will further show Ferrari's issues. They are forced to run a lot of wing again due to their lack of downforce, which will expose them again on the straights.

[Kidstar]

I think Merc is gonna have a harder time with their tires lasting in the race. I would expect McLaren and RB to have a better race pace and perhaps a better showing from Sauber and Lotus.
This track will further show Ferrari's issues. They are forced to run a lot of wing again due to their lack of downforce, which will expose them again on the straights.

That "platypus" man... Works wonders for the egg laying mammal in water... Hell lot less downforce as a car design...

[kfzmeister]

This year's layout will revert back to the original circuit without that funky detour loop that they added a few years back.

[Sump]

This year's layout will revert back to the original circuit without that funky detour loop that they added a few years back.

I was looking that up online. That detour didn't add anything to the race. Honestly I like the setup of this track.

[Vento]

I hope nothing bad happens over there to any of the teams and/or drivers.

Ditto, or anyone else over there.

[kfzmeister]

I was looking that up online. That detour didn't add anything to the race. Honestly I like the setup of this track.

I've raced both layouts on PS3 and like the original better. It just had better flow to it. The modified detour was very tight and bumpy, virtually no place to overtake and basically a bottle-neck.

For some reason it was added due to the field of cars increasing (HRT, Virgin and Lotus(Caterham)).

[Sump]

I've raced both layouts on PS3 and like the original better. It just had better flow to it. The modified detour was very tight and bumpy, virtually no place to overtake and basically a bottle-neck.

For some reason it was added due to the field of cars increasing (HRT, Virgin and Lotus(Caterham)).

That's odd because with more new, slower cars that section would only make it harder for the faster teams to stay out of traffic.

Driven both in games as well, 'old' layout has a great flow. Love the final sector.

[The Ninja]

Are there any side by side photos of the different track layouts. I can onlyt find the one for this year.

[Jimmijackson]

I hope nothing bad happens over there to any of the teams and/or drivers and god bless all of them.

[Sump]

Are there any side by side photos of the different track layouts. I can onlyt find the one for this year.

Current & 'original' layout:



2010 layout:



In the 2nd image you can see where T4 & 13 connect in light gray. That's the original/current route.

Also what is cool about this track is you can see nearly 100% of the action from the main grandstand. Kind of similar to Brazil in that respect.

[nickthaskater]

I really don't get the protesters being against the race; look at all of the exposure they're getting for their cause as a result. They should take the race and use it for positive publicity to support their efforts, not condemn it as evil and try to ruin it.

I feel like McLaren are going to be on top here, with RBR picking up the pieces and Mercedes reverting back to their tire-munching ways with the heat and abrasive (dusty) surface.

[Vento]

I really don't get the protesters being against the race; look at all of the exposure they're getting for their cause as a result. They should take the race and use it for positive publicity to support their efforts, not condemn it as evil and try to ruin it.

Oh my... think you need to read up a bit more on the subject.

[nickthaskater]

Oh my... think you need to read up a bit more on the subject.

I know very well what's going on there, thanks.

[Vento]

I know very well what's going on there, thanks.

Wow... just wow... I suppose you do...

Back to Formula 1 racing now.....

[wiredvw]

Wow... just wow... I suppose you do...

Back to Formula 1 racing now.....

All is well in Bahrain... Good thing Bernie is looking out for the safety of F1 personnel.

Bahrain riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades at anti-government activists on Thursday and members of the Force India race team were caught up in a petrol bomb incident as unrest simmered ahead of this weekend's Formula One Grand Prix.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,7578067.story

It doesn't sound like the fire bomb was all that close to the Force India team, but...

Corporations are avoiding the place too. Very few if any VIP receptions going on it seems.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...83I0XP20120419

[24vEngineer]

Sounds like this race will not only have a DRS zone but a burning tire and fire bomb zone that the drivers will have to avoid. Sounds very reminiscent of Super Mario Kart... The passing should simply be amazing!

Who was the genius that decided to go forward with this race...oh yeah, a cash hungry decrepit dinosaur that needs to get the hell out of F1! It boggles my mind that this guy actually listened to reports of bombing and protests and thought that a lavish, highly exclusive party for the country's dictator and his closest friends would be well received.

[GTIVRSEX2]

Sounds like this race will not only have a DRS zone but a burning tire and fire bomb zone that the drivers will have to avoid. Sounds very reminiscent of Super Mario Kart... The passing should simply be amazing!

Who was the genius that decided to go forward with this race...oh yeah, a cash hungry decrepit dinosaur that needs to get the hell out of F1! It boggles my mind that this guy actually listened to reports of bombing and protests and thought that a lavish, highly exclusive party for the country's dictator and his closest friends would be well received.

I dont mind if their is a war in the race as long as the enemy dont hit Schumacher!

[nickthaskater]

I dont mind if their is a war in the race as long as the enemy dont hit Schumacher!

Yea, seeing him finish more than 1 race would be nice, lol. Hopefully it's his turn for a victory this weekend~

[jsmyle1%...]

Sounds like this race will not only have a DRS zone but a burning tire and fire bomb zone that the drivers will have to avoid. Sounds very reminiscent of Super Mario Kart... The passing should simply be amazing!

Who was the genius that decided to go forward with this race...oh yeah, a cash hungry decrepit dinosaur that needs to get the hell out of F1! It boggles my mind that this guy actually listened to reports of bombing and protests and thought that a lavish, highly exclusive party for the country's dictator and his closest friends would be well received.

[Hawk]

So glad this race is at 8AM EST and not 3AM EST!

Also, will he be in it?

[Mk1Racer]

Well, things are off and running.

Hamilton is fastest after P1, w/ Vettel second <.4 behind. Alonso is almost 2 seconds off the pace!!!

[wiredvw]

Well, things are off and running.

Hamilton is fastest after P1, w/ Vettel second <.4 behind. Alonso is almost 2 seconds off the pace!!!

If Ferrari remain that far off the pace (or even 1+ secs) I wonder what "drastic" measures Luca D M. will come out saying. I'm hoping Mercedes can keep up the pace in the heat and prove they have figured out their car.

[dubsix]

What a fine looking racing machine...

[gizmopop]

Nico Rosberg tops session 2 ahead of Webber and Vettel.

[wiredvw]

This pic needs to be seen again.

What a fine looking racing machine...

[Hawk]

Practice means nothing.

[kfzmeister]

Practice means nothing.

What? Get the hell out of here! You mean to tell me this doesn't indicate the pecking order in the race?

[gizmopop]

What? Get the hell out of here! You mean to tell me this doesn't indicate the pecking order in the race?

The correct reply is ban the Hawc...

[rrr rr]

Although, Saturday practice is usually a decent indicator of qualifying performance.