2018 Bahrain Grand Prix Race Thread

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

Can't wait for tomorrow. Exciting race with a mixed grid.

Altair · Post by **Altair** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:03 pm

Excited to see if the honda engine continues to perform well or explodes with all of the excitement

Mercedes-Benz · Post by **Mercedes-Benz** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:21 pm

Overtaking is possible so Max, Hamilton will make places unlike Australia. Midfield is also close so 4 to 5 teams will fight for P7to P10.

Lotus49 · Post by **Lotus49** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:45 pm

Midfield battle could be a belter between Gasly,K-Mag,Hulk,Sainz,Ocon,Perez,Alo,Stoff and Hartley. RoGro might even join it.

I predict carnage, or at least a couple of incidents and some steward reviews. They are all really close in the long runs and there's a few potentially tasty clashes.

Could be good at the sharp end but I think Kimi will rear gunner Seb to a pretty straightforward win.

Zoue · Post by **Zoue** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:48 pm

Lotus49 wrote:Midfield battle could be a belter between Gasly,K-Mag,Hulk,Sainz,Ocon,Perez,Alo,Stoff and Hartley. RoGro might even join it.

I predict carnage, or at least a couple of incidents and some steward reviews. They are all really close in the long runs and there's a few potentially tasty clashes.

Could be good at the sharp end but I think Kimi will rear gunner Seb to a pretty straightforward win.

Yeah I think Kimi will keep pace with Vettel until the first stops and then fall away. He may be able to hold Bottas up but I suspect Ricciardo may well get by him. But I bet both Ferrari drivers are more than happy that Verstappen isn't starting right behind them!

KingVoid · Post by **KingVoid** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:53 pm

It will be interesting to see how far Hamilton can go on his softs, and whether the Ferrari drivers will come out behind them after they make their stop.

I think that Hamilton will go soft-medium
Ferrari might go supersoft-soft or supersoft-medium
I wonder if anyone will try the 2 stop.

Mad Max to carve his way through the field.

lamo · Post by **lamo** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 8:40 pm

My understanding is the only way to 1 stop is soft-medium. Anyone starting on SS has no chance to 1 stop judging by the pace of the SS which begins losing time quite drastically after 3-4 laps and after 10 laps has dropped off by about 1.5 seconds from its initial pace and slower than the S at that point. They are going to need to take it to at least lap 18-20.

moby · Post by **moby** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 8:48 pm

lamo wrote:My understanding is the only way to 1 stop is soft-medium. Anyone starting on SS has no chance to 1 stop judging by the pace of the SS which begins losing time quite drastically after 3-4 laps and after 10 laps has dropped off by about 1.5 seconds from its initial pace and slower than the S at that point. They are going to need to take it to at least lap 18-20.

Keep in mind that teams have to run BOTH compounds. The second half should be worth watching,especially when the temp drops.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 5:05 am

Source - https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DaNArgYWsAMU6AN.jpg:large

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 7:33 am

The provisional grid:

1 Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
2 Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari
3 Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes
4 Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull
5 Pierre Gasly – Toro Rosso
6 Kevin Magnussen – Haas
7 Nico Hulkenberg – Renault
8 Esteban Ocon – Force India
9 Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
10 Carlos Sainz – Renault
11 Brendon Hartley – Toro Rosso
12 Sergio Perez – Force India
13 Fernando Alonso – McLaren
14 Stoffel Vandoorne – McLaren
15 Max Verstappen – Red Bull
16 Romain Grosjean – Haas
17 Marcus Ericsson – Sauber
18 Sergey Sirotkin – Williams
19 Charles Leclerc – Sauber
20 Lance Stroll – Williams

Toby. · Post by **Toby.** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 10:39 am

With Max claiming the Renault engine has a surprise 150hp that can burst out at any moment, something I'm sure when he said it would have pleased and baffled the engineers at the same time, Red Bull should dominate this one.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:10 pm

Toby. wrote:With Max claiming the Renault engine has a surprise 150hp that can burst out at any moment, something I'm sure when he said it would have pleased and baffled the engineers at the same time, Red Bull should dominate this one.

Don't know. There's an interesting stat which says that hardly drivers outside the top 4 have claimed podium finishes in Bahrain.

Invade · Post by **Invade** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:35 pm

Have to say I'm really excited for this race... for the midfield, for potential recovery drives from Max and Lewis, for the hopes that Ricciardo and Bottas could do something to challenge the Ferraris. It's been quite a while since I've been this excited for a race.

Ferrari is the hare and I feel they'll maximise DRS zones in attack and defence this season. Very cunning, very good.

Gav25182 · Post by **Gav25182** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 1:37 pm

Think Vettel will walk it, particularly with Kimi in support. Expect HAM to run Soft-Medium, hope he can makes some places up, but I won't be betting on him finishing higher than fifth. One hope is that RICs potential race pace brings him in to the fold, but he has to deal with Bottas first.

If the Ferrari's come out of Turn 3 in 1st (VET) & 2nd (Kimi), and Bottas in third, they'll be laughing.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 2:45 pm

This race is going to be a complete contrast to the dull Australian Gran Prix. The same action can be expected next weekend in China.

MasterRacer · Post by **MasterRacer** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 2:51 pm

I'm really excited for this race. Everything is going great so far this season and we could be in for a thrilling year for the first time in ages. Ferrari at the front is good for the sport and it's time for a world championship.

I think it will be Mercedes and Red Bull battling for the final podium position, with Valtteri maybe redeeming himself after Australia by beating Ricciardo.

Hamilton has to take big risks I hope he is made to fight for every position gained and nobody just moves over for him thinking it's a pointless battle. I think fifth is his maximum result unless some ridiculous good fortune like safety cars goes for him.

I'm really interested to see how McLaren go in the race too after Honda engines beat them in qualifying.

SDLRob · Post by **SDLRob** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 2:58 pm

Here's hoping for an interesting race....

Tassadar · Post by **Tassadar** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:02 pm

It will be interesting to see if Mercedes ask Bottas to move over for Hamilton, should the situation arise. Really early in the season, but looks like they are in for a dog fight this year.

MasterRacer · Post by **MasterRacer** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:08 pm

Tassadar wrote:It will be interesting to see if Mercedes ask Bottas to move over for Hamilton, should the situation arise. Really early in the season, but looks like they are in for a dog fight this year.

They won’t if they have any sense. It’s far too soon to be pinning all hopes on one driver who, as Nico points out, can go missing for entire weekends.

UnlikeUday · Post by **UnlikeUday** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:08 pm

Tyres being used at the start:

Source - www.imgur.com

SDLRob · Post by **SDLRob** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:09 pm

Slowly getting used to the new theme... works well as backing to Crofty describing the track. Can't help but think of PUBG though

minchy · Post by **minchy** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:09 pm

Tassadar wrote:It will be interesting to see if Mercedes ask Bottas to move over for Hamilton, should the situation arise. Really early in the season, but looks like they are in for a dog fight this year.

I'd assume Merc will try and get the pass done during pitstops with Hamilton's differing tyre strategy. You'd assume they'd want Hamilton in front, but don't want to have to ask Bottas to move with their allowing drivers to race policy.

But Toto did say on a channel 4 interview that they hope for 3rd and 5th, of which I assume the 3rd to be Bottas. So it's really up to Bottas to not mess up if he wants to finish ahead of Hamilton.

minchy · Post by **minchy** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:14 pm

Think I already see more advertising on the halo's to Oz - didn't take long to sell that space on the cars!

SDLRob · Post by **SDLRob** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:16 pm

Dammit Max.... and Riccardo now stopped.... AMRBR doing a Haas!

Sappher · Post by **Sappher** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:17 pm

Verstappen is such a tool

Tassadar · Post by **Tassadar** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:17 pm

Oh max.

minchy · Post by **minchy** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:17 pm

Oh Max!

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:17 pm

Serves Verstappen right for hitting Hamilton's car

Gav25182 · Post by **Gav25182** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:18 pm

You could Max put the throttle on in the middle of Turn 1, ridiculous driving.

MasterRacer · Post by **MasterRacer** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:18 pm

Hamilton hit max be interesting to see what the stewards do

Ennis · Post by **Ennis** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:19 pm

I expected Hamilton to get out the way, and then take tkthe radio and complain. No luck, Max.. I guess he wanted to make a point.

Tassadar · Post by **Tassadar** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:19 pm

I have to say, I am getting the Juan Pablo Montoya vibes from Max. Awesome driver, very aggressive, but makes a lot of silly mistakes.

pokerman · Post by **pokerman** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:20 pm

Inappropriate post removed

SDLRob · Post by **SDLRob** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:21 pm

MasterRacer wrote:Hamilton hit max be interesting to see what the stewards do

More like Max squeezed Hamilton off the track... or tried to and didn't expect Hamilton to fight back.

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:21 pm

Sappher wrote:Verstappen is such a tool

Nah, tools are actually useful

. Versteppen looking like a rookie this season thus far

mikeyg123 · Post by **mikeyg123** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:22 pm

Verstappen did what every driver does when overtaking now. Run the guy on the outside off the track. Hamilton did what I wish all drivers would do. Just not move over. We've seen about 5 drivers push others off the track already.

minchy · Post by **minchy** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:23 pm

That was nice from Hamilton

mikeyg123 · Post by **mikeyg123** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:23 pm

DRS waaaay to powerful.

SDLRob · Post by **SDLRob** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:24 pm

Banzai move by Lewis...

minchy · Post by **minchy** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 3:24 pm

mikeyg123 wrote:DRS waaaay to powerful.

That wasn't DRS was it? Not first lap after VSC?