2018 Bahrain Grand Prix Free Practice & Qualifying Thread

Altair · Post by **Altair** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 3:52 pm

mikeyg123 wrote:This is awful for Mclaren.

Massive disappointment.

Its clear that it's not the engine

sandman1347 · Post by **sandman1347** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 3:54 pm

The Honda engine is clearly performing well. That cannot be denied at this point.

Seanie · Post by **Seanie** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 3:55 pm

Guys, you're all missing the point. McLaren have the best chassis..........

kleefton · Post by **kleefton** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 3:56 pm

Embarrassing.

JN23 · Post by **JN23** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 3:56 pm

sandman1347 wrote:The Honda engine is clearly performing well. That cannot be denied at this point.

Or Toro Rosso have the best chassis

F1nut · Post by **F1nut** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:02 pm

Kimi, my man, pole position down only the WIN to go......., (hopefully it will stand up thru the 2nd attempts coming)

dang it, guess those bad Vettle PU claims by others turns out to be bogus.......

Good job Ferrari

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:03 pm

JN23 wrote:
sandman1347 wrote:The Honda engine is clearly performing well. That cannot be denied at this point.
Or Toro Rosso have the best chassis

Or Gasly is better than Alonso!

kleefton · Post by **kleefton** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:04 pm

UnlikeUday wrote:
JN23 wrote:
sandman1347 wrote:The Honda engine is clearly performing well. That cannot be denied at this point.
Or Toro Rosso have the best chassis
Or Gasly is better than Alonso!

You guys are hilarious.

kleefton · Post by **kleefton** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:04 pm

Vettel should have this pole. Only a mistake didn't give him the provisional.

Black_Flag_11 · Post by **Black_Flag_11** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:05 pm

Wow what is going on with Kimi so far this year? His pace is for real!

Akai · Post by **Akai** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:09 pm

what a battle.

kleefton · Post by **kleefton** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:10 pm

Honda best of the rest indeed.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:11 pm

Hamilton 9th, Gasly 5th etc.

Altair · Post by **Altair** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:12 pm

kleefton wrote:Honda best of the rest indeed.

Something I did not expect to be written this season.

Black_Flag_11 · Post by **Black_Flag_11** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:13 pm

Toro Rosso only 1 second behind Red Bull is seriously impressive IMO.

TheGiantHogweed · Post by **TheGiantHogweed** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:14 pm

If overtaking is still really difficult like it was in Australia, Bottas just needs a better start than the Ferrari's and that may allow him to win if the pit stops go well. But I do think Ferrari will be stronger tomorrow.

Anyhow, this is a really good turn around by Bottas. I do think he outperformed Hamilton this time, although very little in it.

Llotyhy · Post by **Llotyhy** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:14 pm

Massive performance by Gasly, awesome!

kleefton · Post by **kleefton** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:17 pm

Altair wrote:
kleefton wrote:Honda best of the rest indeed.
Something I did not expect to be written this season.

That would make two of us.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:23 pm

Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?

PRFAN · Post by **PRFAN** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:25 pm

UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?

Maybe all 3!!

Will keep an eye on the kid, he performed well today!

TR has a history of delivering competitive chassis

Maybe Honda has turned the corner!

McLaren a bit exposed today!

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:28 pm

No wonder Hartley's slow. He hit a bird during practice:

Source - www.imgur.com

sandman1347 · Post by **sandman1347** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:29 pm

PRFAN wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?
Maybe all 3!!

Will keep an eye on the kid, he performed well today!

TR has a history of delivering competitive chassis

Maybe Honda has turned the corner!

McLaren a bit exposed today!

It's probably not a chassis thing. It's clear that straight line speed is their strength. They have been extremely fast through the traps in both races and they have been much more competitive at this power circuit than they were at Melbourne. The Honda engine seems pretty good. Hard to believe I know and it's likely that the qualifying performance of the engine is superior to the sustainable race performance but so far so good.

I'm calling a RBR works deal for the near future.

Altair · Post by **Altair** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:30 pm

UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?

could be a fluke.

I will need a few more races before I fall for the hype.

Haas looked like world beaters in Australia, couldn't get one of their drivers out of Q1 this time.

Lotus49 · Post by **Lotus49** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:36 pm

sandman1347 wrote:
PRFAN wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?
Maybe all 3!!

Will keep an eye on the kid, he performed well today!

TR has a history of delivering competitive chassis

Maybe Honda has turned the corner!

McLaren a bit exposed today!
It's probably not a chassis thing. It's clear that straight line speed is their strength. They have been extremely fast through the traps in both races and they have been much more competitive at this power circuit than they were at Melbourne. The Honda engine seems pretty good. Hard to believe I know and it's likely that the qualifying performance of the engine is superior to the sustainable race performance but so far so good.

I'm calling a RBR works deal for the near future.

They're only one of 4 teams with a full chassis dyno which means testing 24/7. It's absolutely a chassis thing, it's a slippy one alright. Peak power was getting ok for Honda after Monza and Alo was usually in Q3 but it's efficiency and reliability was where they still lack.

Obviously Honda are still improving no argument there but that STR is slick in a straight line, it's been evident since winter testing and this track suits it.

Lotus49 · Post by **Lotus49** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:38 pm

Altair wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?
could be a fluke.

I will need a few more races before I fall for the hype.

Haas looked like world beaters in Australia, couldn't get one of their drivers out of Q1 this time.

Not a fluke, just suits them down to the ground. Opposite of McLaren which seems to have the aero efficiency of a London Bus, at least around here.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:46 pm

JN23 wrote:
sandman1347 wrote:The Honda engine is clearly performing well. That cannot be denied at this point.
Or Toro Rosso have the best chassis

Imagine what they could do with a Mercedes engine?

Lt. Drebin · Post by **Lt. Drebin** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:46 pm

UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?

Dunno, but I can hardly wait for the Monza race, and already wishing it's a wet weekend!

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:47 pm

UnlikeUday wrote:Hamilton 9th, Gasly 5th etc.

Honda's best qualifying position in the Hybrid era.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:49 pm

Altair wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?
could be a fluke.

I will need a few more races before I fall for the hype.

Haas looked like world beaters in Australia, couldn't get one of their drivers out of Q1 this time.

KMag qualified 7th

Mercedes-Benz · Post by **Mercedes-Benz** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:49 pm

Perfect result for Ferrari. I am sure they wanted Vettel at P1 so that they don't have to pull another Monaco strategy like last year. Amazing result by TR Honda. Now they need to finish the race

and may be can score points as well

Lotus49 · Post by **Lotus49** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:50 pm

pokerman wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Hamilton 9th, Gasly 5th etc.
Honda's best dry qualifying position in the Hybrid era.

Fixed

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:52 pm

Lotus49 wrote:
Altair wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?
could be a fluke.

I will need a few more races before I fall for the hype.

Haas looked like world beaters in Australia, couldn't get one of their drivers out of Q1 this time.
Not a fluke, just suits them down to the ground. Opposite of McLaren which seems to have the aero efficiency of a London Bus, at least around here.

Straight line speed that they blamed entirely on the Honda engine last year.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:54 pm

Lotus49 wrote:
pokerman wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Hamilton 9th, Gasly 5th etc.
Honda's best dry qualifying position in the Hybrid era.
Fixed

I was just repeating what I heard, I wouldn't have a clue myself.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:56 pm

This just shows what an over reaction there was to Australian qualifying, unfair party mode etc.

Altair · Post by **Altair** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:00 pm

pokerman wrote:
Altair wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?
could be a fluke.

I will need a few more races before I fall for the hype.

Haas looked like world beaters in Australia, couldn't get one of their drivers out of Q1 this time.
KMag qualified 7th

Tale of two cars/drivers for sure.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:02 pm

Altair wrote:
pokerman wrote:
Altair wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?
could be a fluke.

I will need a few more races before I fall for the hype.

Haas looked like world beaters in Australia, couldn't get one of their drivers out of Q1 this time.
KMag qualified 7th
Tale of two cars/drivers for sure.

Yep Grosjean was basically rubbish

Lotus49 · Post by **Lotus49** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:04 pm

pokerman wrote:
Lotus49 wrote:
Altair wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?
could be a fluke.

I will need a few more races before I fall for the hype.

Haas looked like world beaters in Australia, couldn't get one of their drivers out of Q1 this time.
Not a fluke, just suits them down to the ground. Opposite of McLaren which seems to have the aero efficiency of a London Bus, at least around here.
Straight line speed that they blamed entirely on the Honda engine last year.

At what point though wasn't it? They didn't have full ers deployment until Monza for example so for x amount of seconds a lap they lost all ers support.

That's not a chassis issue. Trimming it out and getting 4-5kph extra wouldn't have changed much and if they'd have lost more in the corners than they gained on the straight it would be a net loss so why do it?

sandman1347 · Post by **sandman1347** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:06 pm

pokerman wrote:This just shows what an over reaction there was to Australian qualifying, unfair party mode etc.

At this point it's obvious Hamilton put in a ferocious lap in qualifying there while Vettel wasn't particularly comfortable all weekend. Nothing new in this forum. Even last year we had several posters acting like the Mercedes was still at 2014 levels of dominance. People are slow to take in new information.

sandman1347 · Post by **sandman1347** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:09 pm

Lotus49 wrote:
sandman1347 wrote:
PRFAN wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?
Maybe all 3!!

Will keep an eye on the kid, he performed well today!

TR has a history of delivering competitive chassis

Maybe Honda has turned the corner!

McLaren a bit exposed today!
It's probably not a chassis thing. It's clear that straight line speed is their strength. They have been extremely fast through the traps in both races and they have been much more competitive at this power circuit than they were at Melbourne. The Honda engine seems pretty good. Hard to believe I know and it's likely that the qualifying performance of the engine is superior to the sustainable race performance but so far so good.

I'm calling a RBR works deal for the near future.
They're only one of 4 teams with a full chassis dyno which means testing 24/7. It's absolutely a chassis thing, it's a slippy one alright. Peak power was getting ok for Honda after Monza and Alo was usually in Q3 but it's efficiency and reliability was where they still lack.

Obviously Honda are still improving no argument there but that STR is slick in a straight line, it's been evident since winter testing and this track suits it.

Nah having really low drag is a big factor but you need power too. I know it hurts man but you have to admit that the Honda unit has performed well both in terms of power and reliability so far. I'm not saying it's the best but give them some credit man.

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:10 pm

sandman1347 wrote:
Lotus49 wrote:
sandman1347 wrote:
PRFAN wrote:
UnlikeUday wrote:Is:
Gasly that good OR
Toro Rosso that good OR
Honda that good?
Maybe all 3!!

Will keep an eye on the kid, he performed well today!

TR has a history of delivering competitive chassis

Maybe Honda has turned the corner!

McLaren a bit exposed today!
It's probably not a chassis thing. It's clear that straight line speed is their strength. They have been extremely fast through the traps in both races and they have been much more competitive at this power circuit than they were at Melbourne. The Honda engine seems pretty good. Hard to believe I know and it's likely that the qualifying performance of the engine is superior to the sustainable race performance but so far so good.

I'm calling a RBR works deal for the near future.
They're only one of 4 teams with a full chassis dyno which means testing 24/7. It's absolutely a chassis thing, it's a slippy one alright. Peak power was getting ok for Honda after Monza and Alo was usually in Q3 but it's efficiency and reliability was where they still lack.

Obviously Honda are still improving no argument there but that STR is slick in a straight line, it's been evident since winter testing and this track suits it.
Nah having really low drag is a big factor but you need power too. I know it hurts man but you have to admit that the Honda unit has performed well both in terms of power and reliability so far. I'm not saying it's the best but give them some credit man.

Honda changed engines this weekend. I don't think reliability is up there at all