Official 2012 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain GP Thread

[TBomb]

I think this season, at least so far, is shaping up to be a lot more exciting than last year. I hope that Vettel just had a good day and isn't back to last year's form. Nothing personal, it just wasn't very exciting watching him win from pole every Sunday. There are lots of fast cars on the track and it makes it fun to watch since you never know what might happen. It seems that certain cars are more suited for some tracks than others. The Renaults this week, the Mercedes last week... Anyway, I would have liked to see Kimi get past Vettel, but the Lotus just couldn't keep up through the turns. I was happy to see Grosjean make the podium. That guy seems like he's always having a good time and has a smile on his face no matter what's going on. McLaren needs to get their act together and fast. Pit stops have been costing them valuable positions and they arguably have the fastest all-around car out there.

[24vEngineer]

I call this "Spot Mr. Consistency".

Hilarious! Is he pouting or did he just pass gas?

[gizmopop]

The stewards report suggest that no part of Alonso's car, not Hamilton's was next to him when he squeezed to the line, so legit move.

Actually Lewis was lucky since he continued by pulling off a pass off track. And that is illegal.

I think since it was a straightaway versus cutting across a curve they didn't see it as illegal. Nico still had a chance to get that position back before the next set of corners.


I like how close this season is so far. You can easily see Lotus picking up a win soon, and some of the typically mid pack teams are posing legitimate threats ( Force India and Sauber come to mind...)

[rrr rr]

I think since it was a straightaway versus cutting across a curve they didn't see it as illegal. Nico still had a chance to get that position back before the next set of corners.

Exceeding track limits is illegal on a straight or through a corner. The reason Nico moved over to the edge of the track was to force Lewis to attempt the pass on the other side, which is a pointless move if Lewis can just use the runoff area to pass him.

[Vento]

Unfortunately I missed the race and forgot to set my PVR to record it!

How long were Lewis' pit stops anyway? Seems like he didn't have much pace to fight with anyway?

[Imola Yellow GTi]

I think this season, at least so far, is shaping up to be a lot more exciting than last year. I hope that Vettel just had a good day and isn't back to last year's form.

Think the next track is more suited for RBR and Lotus.

[Imola Yellow GTi]

Unfortunately I missed the race and forgot to set my PVR to record it!

How long were Lewis' pit stops anyway? Seems like he didn't have much pace to fight with anyway?

I think this is the first one.




Post race BBC interview. I see nothing wrong with his response - seems standard issue response. McL needs to update that wheel nut system (nothing is full proof as seen in MS' last race, but it is still an improvement over what they have now) and maybe throw in that Ferrari jack system while at it.

[24vEngineer]

Exceeding track limits is illegal on a straight or through a corner. The reason Nico moved over to the edge of the track was to force Lewis to attempt the pass on the other side, which is a pointless move if Lewis can just use the runoff area to pass him.

Schumacher taught Nico those moves. Remember when he almost pushed Rubens into the wall? I think MS told Nico just not to be so bold.

[Hajduk]

Hamilton gaining a position off track is more deserving of a penalty than what Rosberg did, though even then I'd hope there aren't any to anyone in either incident since it was downright exciting to watch.

Unless you are cutting a corner, I don't think it's illegal to pass a car off the track (Villeneuve-Hill in Hungary 1997 springs to mind).

[Mk1Racer]

The stewards report suggest that no part of Alonso's car, not Hamilton's was next to him when he squeezed to the line, so legit move.

Actually Lewis was lucky since he continued by pulling off a pass off track. And that is illegal.

If that was actually the case, it's got to make you wonder why they both followed him to that side of the track. If a car I'm chasing makes a swerve off line, I'm probably going the other way, rather than follow him.

[Hajduk]

If that was actually the case, it's got to make you wonder why they both followed him to that side of the track. If a car I'm chasing makes a swerve off line, I'm probably going the other way, rather than follow him.

Because it use to be when someone swerved to the other side of the track to block you, they would at least leavejust enough room for your car. I think Hamilton and Alonso were thinking that way.

[kfzmeister]

If that was actually the case, it's got to make you wonder why they both followed him to that side of the track. If a car I'm chasing makes a swerve off line, I'm probably going the other way, rather than follow him.

Well, easy for us to say, but those guys had some serious tow from Rosberg and are probably pushing 180MPH (if not more) and make a juke at the last minute to try and pass. Not sure there is a way to suddenly change direction. Once you make that move, you're pretty much committed.

[kfzmeister]

Think the next track is more suited for RBR and Lotus.

I had read that before the race as well. So all those that are suggesting that RB have finally found their way to back to the top is like suggesting Ferrari have suddenly found pace after their win in Malaysia. Better cool your jets.....

[Imola Yellow GTi]

I had read that before the race as well. So all those that are suggesting that RB have finally found their way to back to the top is like suggesting Ferrari have suddenly found pace after their win in Malaysia. Better cool your jets.....

My opinion is based off of RBR's ability to accelerate faster than McL. Isn't the next track more about acceleration rather than top speed? However, I have a feeling our dark horse Lotus has a way of making things interesting.

[Sump]

I had read that before the race as well. So all those that are suggesting that RB have finally found their way to back to the top is like suggesting Ferrari have suddenly found pace after their win in Malaysia. Better cool your jets.....

Oh no no no. Might as well settle our bet now. I'll PM you my paypal. Vettel WDC!

Haven't seen the race yet, but going to watch it tonight. Looks like it was pretty interesting.

[GPHawaii808]

(another) Excellent race! Glad to see the rest of the field being so much closer to the front. Just a little bit more from Force India and Williams would really see some interesting grids.

I hope we don't see the deeper pocketed teams making too big of a jump in lap times after the swing back to Europe.

[nickthaskater]

(another) Excellent race! Glad to see the rest of the field being so much closer to the front. Just a little bit more from Force India and Williams would really see some interesting grids.

I hope we don't see the deeper pocketed teams making too big of a jump in lap times after the swing back to Europe.

I can almost guarantee you will. Ferrari have an entirely new car sitting in the shop, and you know darn well that McLaren and RBR are itching to get back to home turf to tack on new bits and pieces. I would not be surprised to see teams like Force India and Lotus fall back from the big 3 once the Euro season kicks off.

[J-Tim]

[Imola Yellow GTi]

So boys (and girls) what you say of this.

http://planetf1.com/news/3213/769469...rg-Exoneration

[dubsix]

Nice of kimi to say hello to romain on the way by.

[Sono Qui]

Took me a minute to see that.

And apparantly Romain was never told to let Kimi by, so that was classy on Romains part to let him by on his own. If Lotus can take 1st in the next race, that would take this season to the next level of exciting.

[J-Tim]

So boys (and girls) what you say of this.

http://planetf1.com/news/3213/769469...rg-Exoneration

Alonso is being a cry baby. What else is new ?

[kfzmeister]

Oh no no no. Might as well settle our bet now. I'll PM you my paypal. Vettel WDC!

Haven't seen the race yet, but going to watch it tonight. Looks like it was pretty interesting.

Gonna be a long season for ya, buddy! I have a feeling that you're sweating more than i am!!

[24vEngineer]

So boys (and girls) what you say of this.

http://planetf1.com/news/3213/769469...rg-Exoneration

#wtf #lmfao "Alonso wrote on Twitter: "I think you are going to have fun in future races! You can defend position as you want and you can overtake outside the track! Enjoy! ))"

Already posted earlier in the thread.

You know if Hamilton blocked like this he would have had a drive through. If he did it twice in a race he would have been black flagged.

Let's see what happens when Alonso try's it.

[TBomb]

Already posted earlier in the thread.

You know if Hamilton blocked like this he would have had a drive through. If he did it twice in a race he would have been black flagged.

Let's see what happens when Alonso try's it.

Am I the only one who feels like Rosberg's one win has gone straight to his head? He seemed a little smug in Bahrain...but maybe that's just me.

[24vEngineer]

Am I the only one who feels like Rosberg's one win has gone straight to his head? He seemed a little smug in Bahrain...but maybe that's just me.

Seemed that way to me too.

[J-Tim]

Am I the only one who feels like Rosberg's one win has gone straight to his head? He seemed a little smug in Bahrain...but maybe that's just me.

Not just you though I don't blame him.

[Kidstar]

Not just you though I don't blame him.

True... But have we seen what winning your first has done to Where's Webbo?

[gizmopop]

Because it use to be when someone swerved to the other side of the track to block you, they would at least leave just enough room for your car. I think Hamilton and Alonso were thinking that way.

Yep. Nico wasn't trying to force them to pass on the other side, he wanted them to back off, Alonso did, Hamilton didn't. In both occasions Rosberg put his right tires off the course, he drove them right off the track.

[Sump]

Gonna be a long season for ya, buddy! I have a feeling that you're sweating more than i am!!

Lol yeah. Betting always makes sports more exciting. Just wish I wasn't so brash to put all my eggs in 1 basket!

[24vEngineer]

True... But have we seen what winning your first has done to Where's Webbo?

Where's Webbo ran into Vettel and caused him to DNF Turkey in 2010 or did you forget?

[J-Tim]

Where's Webbo ran into Vettel and caused him to DNF Turkey in 2010 or did you forget?

You mean where Vettel instead of going straight, whirred to the right and hit Webber ? Yeah, I remember that one.

[kfzmeister]

You mean where Vettel instead of going straight, whirred to the right and hit Webber ? Yeah, I remember that one.

Webber, that idiot gherkin! (see Seb's quote below!)

[robhurlburt]

Alonso is being a cry baby. What else is new ?

this. i have no idea how people like him

and if anyone wants to call the car in front in the DRS zone a "sitting duck" they need to go back and watch kimi try to pass vettel in this race. 11kph faster or something and still couldn't get past him. surely not an easy pass at all.

[Binary Star]

and if anyone wants to call the car in front in the DRS zone a "sitting duck" they need to go back and watch kimi try to pass vettel in this race. 11kph faster or something and still couldn't get past him. surely not an easy pass at all.

but of course now that "sitting duck" theory has been thrown out of the window by their favorite driver, they are not going to refute it. except for may be "where did I say this?" or "show me where I stated exactly that?".