2014 Formula One World Championship - Round 3@Bahrain

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

Laps 57
Circuit length 5.412 km
Race length 308.405 km

This weeks Preview thanks to FIA

Just a few short days after the Malaysian Grand Prix, where Mercedes stormed to its first one-two finish since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix, Formula One arrives in Bahrain for round three of the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship.

And as the Bahrain International Circuit celebrates the tenth anniversary of its arrival onto the F1 calendar it presents teams and drivers with a new challenge
- a race under floodlights.

This year sees the circuit join Singapore and Abu Dhabi in staging race staged fully or partially at night and the 6pm start will change how the race is approached.

For instance, the cooler temperatures of the evening will lead to changes in balance and grip levels. Teams do, however, have some data on these conditions with the two pre-season tests held at this circuit running into the cooler early evening hours on a number of occasions. The bonus, too, is that the lower temperatures will place less stress on the cooling capabilities of the new power units, a particular issue for some in the run-up to the start of this season.

Elsewhere, the Bahrain track features a mix of slow-speed corners at the end of straights which means that the BIC is one of the most severe on brakes all season. However, while this also means that tyres take some punishment, especially in terms of longitudinal energy going into the tyres, Pirelli is bringing its medium and soft compound tyres this weekend.

This race always presents an intriguing set of challenges but this year a whole new set of variables has been thrown into the mix via the sport’s new regulations and the first F1 night-race in Bahrain’s history. Mercedes have dominated so far this season, but under the BIC floodlights anything could happen.

http://www.fia.com/news/2014-bahrain-grand-prix-preview-0

 

[ricardogp]

Had totally slipped me by that this is a night race now. Quali/Race not on until 11pm Perth time. Even worse for those over east.

I'm prepared to stay up late for Brazil for example, but Bahrain just doesn't do that much for me. Might watch the first 10 laps...

 

[ManWithNoName]

Burnt up all my leave for Springsteen so won't be able to watch this one live. Can't go to the footy AND can't watch the GP. What a terrible Sunday.

 

[Simple Jack]

Burnt up all my leave for Springsteen so won't be able to watch this one live. Can't go to the footy AND can't watch the GP. What a terrible Sunday.

Dat pandering to TV audiences.

Amirite?

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Burnt up all my leave for Springsteen so won't be able to watch this one live. Can't go to the footy AND can't watch the GP. What a terrible Sunday.

It's Bahrain...you won't miss much.

 

[little graham]

Why are they racing in Bahrain considering thier human rights record?

 

[ManWithNoName]

Why are they racing in Bahrain considering thier human rights record?

For the same reasons they race in China. And Russia.

 

[Saetta7]

For the same reasons they race in China. And Russia.

And USA

 

[ManWithNoName]

The Bahrain GP is that time of the year the rest of the world remembers Bahrain has problems.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

I hope Dan does not start way back given his 10 spot penalty

 

[Smoooothy]

Why are they racing in Bahrain considering thier human rights record?

$$$$$

 

[little graham]

$$$$$

I heard it had the biggest overseas American naval base. I heard that the Saudi Arabian army is what maintains the regimes control, along with mercenaries in the police force. Some people thought the winter Olympics should of been boycotted because of anti gay marriage laws

 

[ManWithNoName]

I heard it had the biggest overseas American naval base. I heard that the Saudi Arabian army is what maintains the regimes control, along with mercenaries in the police force. Some people thought the winter Olympics should of been boycotted because of anti gay marriage laws

Uh no, it was slightly more than that.

 

[ricardogp]

Hmmm... Ricciardo has qualified 2nd and 5th so far, and was 4th fastest in FP2 last night, and is currently paying $1.53 for a points finish in Bahrain...

Seems generous to me.

 

[OzBomber]

Didn't even know this was changed to a night race. This is on at a horrible time now. Will be the first race which I won't be able to watch in the past 4 years.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

Practice 1 Results

Pos. Driver Time
1. L. Hamilton 01:37.502
2. N. Rosberg 01:37.733
3. F. Alonso 01:37.953
4. N. Hulkenberg 01:38.122
5. J. Button 01:38.636
6. K. Raikkonen 01:38.783
7. K. Magnussen 01:38.949
8. D. Kvyat 01:39.056
9. S. Perez 01:39.102
10. S. Vettel 01:39.389
11. F. Massa 01:39.533
12. J. Vergne 01:39.862
13. F. Nasr 01:40.078
14. D. Ricciardo 01:40.406
15. A. Sutil 01:40.652
16. P. Maldonado 01:40.793
17. J. Bianchi 01:40.889
18. G. van der Garde 01:40.913
19. R. Grosjean 01:41.036
20. M. Chilton 01:41.794
21. R. Frijns 01:42.417
22. M. Ericsson 01:42.711

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

Practice 2 Results

Pos. Driver Time
1. L. Hamilton 01:34.325
2. N. Rosberg 01:34.690
3. F. Alonso 01:35.360
4. D. Ricciardo 01:35.433
5. F. Massa 01:35.442
6. J. Button 01:35.528
7. S. Vettel 01:35.606
8. D. Kvyat 01:35.640
9. K. Magnussen 01:35.662
10. S. Perez 01:35.802
11. V. Bottas 01:35.920
12. J. Vergne 01:35.972
13. N. Hulkenberg 01:35.998
14. K. Raikkonen 01:36.366
15. A. Sutil 01:36.962
16. E. Gutiérrez 01:36.975
17. P. Maldonado 01:37.259
18. R. Grosjean 01:37.599
19. J. Bianchi 01:37.800
20. M. Chilton 01:38.247
21. K. Kobayashi 01:38.257
22. M. Ericsson 01:39.136

 

[ManWithNoName]

F****ng hell.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Not a more soulless track on the calendar, nobody there!

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Vettel out in Q2.

 

[Blue and Gold Blood]

if Ricciardo wasnt in a red bull and challenging for podium placings i would have given up on F1 this year.

Absolutely hate the sound of the cars now.

Vettel not making the top 10 again is a surprise.

 

[Blue and Gold Blood]

are there any spectator points in bahrain or what?

I havent seen one fan watching...

 

[Gak Attack]

That 10 place penalty probably cost Danny ric another podium here. A bit of luck and he could have been comfortable in 3rd in the standings after this. May still go ok.

 

[Gak Attack]

are there any spectator points in bahrain or what?

I havent seen one fan watching...

It seems like when top gear do stuff on the empty f1 tracks.

 

[juice t]

Great qualifying for Daniel.... just the ******* penalty