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The 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix Thread

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:59 pm
by Ed
This is the place to discuss everything related to the fourth round of the 2012 season taking place in Bahrain between the 20th and 22nd of April.

To submit your 10 'n' Pole Picks for Bahrain click here, to register in the competition click here

Track Layout

Image

The event timetable for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Friday
1st Practice 10:00 local time - 07:00 GMT
2nd Practice 14:00 local time - 11:00 GMT

Saturday
Practice 11:00 local time - 08:00 GMT
Qualifying 14:00 local time - 11:00 GMT

Sunday
Race 15:00 local time - 12:00 GMT

For the latest Formula 1 News check out the F1 news page

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 2:54 am
by Thaddeus
The top teams all seem to be sounding pretty downbeat.

I wonder if this is partly because Pirelli have never been to Bahrain, which reportedly has high tyre wear, so they haven't got their eye in as they have for almost every other circuit.

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 10:05 am
by Jim Watt
:D :D This IS Formula One, Thaddeus. There are literally --I mean this is no exaggeration of figure of speech--MILLIONS of dollars or pounds involved in the search for points, both driver, and manufacturer. 8)8)

So if Pirelli is unable or unwilling to supply decent tyres, then smart teams will have figured out how to manage three stops to get maximum points. The kinds of tyres supplied are something teams canNOT control, like the weather, but that doesn't mean they are helpless or without options. :roll::roll:

We SHOULD have a decent race, unless the rebels have RPGs and Mortars and begin bombarding the circuit. :evil: :evil: In which case one can only hope that no one (other than Bernie E.) gets hurt. :lol: :lol:

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 10:14 am
by cmlean
I can understand Force India and other teams hesitance in taking to the track. With the instability currently in Bahrain, all teams will be looking to get this event over and done with then get the hell out of the country.

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 2:41 pm
by jacfan
Yes I would have been happy to see this event taken off the agenda.

Let's hope that nothing goes wrong.

There is another thread for this conversation too.

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 3:00 pm
by Ed
The track is turning out to be very tricky as it is very hot and windy with a lot of sand in the air. From the first and second practice sessions, the tyres are only lasting 5 to 7 laps before starting to go off. It will be very interesting to see how the teams will approach the final practice and qualifying

First practice results
Second practice results

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:24 pm
by cmlean
Schumi! What have you done?

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 10:26 pm
by jacfan
Unfortunately I didn't see qualifying as I had a party to go to. I have seen that Vettel is on pole.... darn I forgot to include him in my picks :oops:

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:37 am
by Thaddeus
Never would've predicted a Vettel pole.

Be interesting to see if the DRS enables overtaking, and whether Raikkonen and Schumacher can make progress.

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:02 am
by Ed
Vettel takes pole from Hamilton and Webber

The question for tomorrow will be how long can the tyres last and those who will have to race on used tyres may struggle. It will be very interesting

FOM not showing Force India on TV during qualifying as if they didn't take part .... Absolute power corrupts

Full Results

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:35 pm
by Ed
Race coverage of Bahrain available here

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:36 pm
by jacfan
Should be an interesting race. It will be interesting to see who can make their tyres last.

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:42 pm
by jacfan
FOM not showing Force India on TV during qualifying as if they didn't take part .... Absolute power corrupts
Mr E has denied the blackout of Force India..... Hands up everyone who believes him.

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:27 pm
by jido
I am so happy to see Kimi Raikkonen on the podium!

Great performance by Grosjean, Vettel and Di Resta too.
Nice to have Massa in the points finally!

Pronostics for next race? ;)

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:09 pm
by Thaddeus
Pretty exciting race, which is weird for Bahrain.

I voted for Raikkonen. Great drive from 11th, and showed Lotus' cunning to do so much work on high fuel running.

If I'd had a second vote it would've gone to di Resta. The two stop strategy was not the optimal one but he made it work and got a great sixth.

McLaren need to sort their pit problems. With a title race this close that could end up costing them one or both titles.

Last but not least, I listened online to coverage, and (for the first time) had the pleasure of enjoying our very own Editor's live updates, which was quicker than the BBC's radio coverage.