A Bahrain GP Ponder 03/04/2008 With the public announcement of the manufacturers that the FIA must attend to the matter of its president immediately, the battle has begun. This one will be fierce and without quarter, you can bet on that. But there is a race on in Bahrain this weekend, I believe. I wonder what has been going on there...It seems that everyone is betting on a Ferrari victory this time. They were very quick in testing there over the off season (scaring Jarno Trulli something silly in the process) and their victory in Malaysia was pretty convincing too. Looks like a banker, doesn't it?Kimi RaikkonenWell, it would be, were it not for the noises coming from the Ferrari garage. Domenicali is not happy it seems and hints at the dastardly McLaren ECU being at the heart of Ferrari's reliability problems. Well, it would be, wouldn't it? The point is really that Ferrari have a problem in that only one of their cars is making it to the finish line, whereas McLaren just keep on totting up the points with both of theirs.It all puts stress on the team and increases the chances that something will go wrong somewhere. If it's not the cars breaking down, one of their drivers is trying too hard to prove something and succeeds only in making mistakes as a result. And all the time poor Domenicali has to deliver the goods if he is not to be compared unfavorably with Jean Todt.Which all goes to say that Ferrari is not guaranteed to win this one. McLaren will have been stung by their misfortune and under-performance in Sepang and will be determined to make up for it in Bahrain. The car had an off weekend, it's true, but has shown that it can compete on equal terms with the best. And the drivers are becoming a formidable team.Big Ron may be refusing to comment on recent events surrounding the FIA presidency (and that is his wisest course of action) but the team members may be amused enough by it all, I'm sure. Look to McLaren for excellent qualifying times and race pace over the weekend, therefore.And what of BMW? My own expectation is that they will improve quickly once in Europe but, in Bahrain, they should be about where they have been in the first two races. And that does not necessarily mean a second place again. Both their podium finishes have been aided by some luck and they cannot rely on something going wrong with the top two every time. Their chances are good, however, and they will be there to pick up anything going.They will also not be caught by the chasing pack. Red Bull are closest but a bit fragile, Williams could come good again and even Toyota should do well. But Renault are living off the brilliance of Alonso at the moment and cannot hope for miracles this weekend. The Spaniard has been awe-inspiring in his wrestling of that dog of a car into the points - but it is likely that the rest of the season will consist of him having to do the same every time.Who will win? My heart says Heidfeld, my brain says Raikkonen. So it will probably be Hamilton!
Clive
Ollie Clive, are you suggesting that Formula One is about motor racing? Stop being so daft! We all know it's Bernie's new foray into the world of soap opera production. :DI think BMW are also going to improve a far amount once the European season begins. For sure so will the other teams, but I think BMW will make the most progress and start to seriously trouble the top two. Date Added: 03/04/2008
Clive A brief moment of madness, Ollie. My only excuse is that, after three days of Max posts, I was desperate for a change! But I am back on course and am making the rounds of the blogs again, stirring things up with impertinent comments on the soap opera.I think BMW are going to surprise everyone with their pace in the second half of the season. I am quite serious in tipping Quick Nick for champion. Date Added: 03/04/2008
patrick Nah, Kubica, I say ;-)Have to confess, I intend to stay well away from the Max Mosley shenanigans on Motorsports Ramblings unless something new appears. I've no desire to watch the video (call me a prude if you will), and I'm reluctant to comment (save on the 'comments' section) on something like that based only on second hand reports. Date Added: 03/04/2008
Clive You're a wise man, Patrick. My problem is that Max annoys me so much, I just cannot keep my mouth shut. And besides, I enjoy the occasional rant. :DKubica, you say? Hmmm, interesting. Alan Jones really deserved to get the first win for the Williams FW07 but it was Clay Reggazoni who actually did it. And Heidfeld deserves to be the first for BMW but... Date Added: 03/04/2008
Kathryn S I'm OK with Nick taking the first win...I'll let you have that one, Clive, but after that it's Kubica all the way for me.How exciting to have a race this weekend...but, ergh, there's a three week break after that...with no race all we'll have is endless Max unless he steps down. I'm not sure if I can bear it. Date Added: 03/04/2008
Clive Perhaps we could have some form of Berniegate instead, Kathryn. The old man misses Max so badly, he goes berserk and attacks an Arab sheikh with an electric toothbrush, shouting, "I never really wanted all these new races anyway!"On second thoughts, no, it would have to be something completely unexpected, wouldn't it? Date Added: 03/04/2008
Kathryn S You mean some thing totally unexpected like Bernie decides he’s been a money grubber all this time and he wants to build fans instead of fill his pockets with filthy lucre? And he decides to slash gate prices drastically and take only a very small portion of gate receipts? And unless the stands are 75% filled with paying customers he won’t take any of the advertising or sponsor money? And he’s so thrilled by this idea he brings back the USGP to thank me? And in addition he invites me and 19 of my best friends to attend all the races on the schedule for the next two years—on his nickel? And I give half my tickets to my new best friend Clive? You mean that kind of unexpected???Oh, wait, that’s not unexpected, that’s a fantasy. Date Added: 03/04/2008
Clive Ah, but what a delightful fantasy, Kathryn. :)Maybe if Bernie were to catch the madness off Max, it could even come true! Such exciting times we live in... Date Added: 03/04/2008
Pink Peril Ah. I knew it wouldn't be long before those red demons started trying to point the finger at the McLaren ECU for their problems. Funny how they are the only ones having issues with it then - bit like how they were the only ones who didn't get the tyre email in Japan too.They are like spoiled, petulant children. It wasn't us mum, it was those nasty McLaren people !They give me the irrits.Anyhoo back onto who will win this weekend. I'm gonna go for Kovalainen. Well, he WAS faster than Lewis last week..... Date Added: 03/04/2008
patrick Depends on what you mean by 'deserve' really...If hard work and dedication is what you mean, then yes, it should be Heidfeld.But if you prefer inspiration over perspiration, it's got to Kubica Date Added: 04/04/2008
Clive It's a fair bet, Peril. But I cannot forget how good Hamilton is at his best. I think Heikki will be close to him all season and occasionally beat him, but Lewis will win out in the end. Date Added: 04/04/2008
Clive If you're right and Kubica is inspired, then he'll get his reward often enough in the future, Patrick. But Heidfeld has put in the hard work and dedication for very little return over the years. He will deserve it when he finally starts winning. Date Added: 04/04/2008
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