2012 Bahrain Grand Prix Discussion Thread

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 22 Apr 2012, 08:55

GwilymJJames wrote:Five place penalty for Schumacher, who, being in P22, no-one cares about.

I certainly do.
So this makes THREE mechanical problems in FOUR weekends for Michael - sure, in China it was only a wheelnut, but that still ended up as a DNF. I can imagine him being really angry right now: in Melbourne it wasn't his fault that he retired, in Sepang it wasn't entirely his fault that he finished 10th, in China it wasn't his fault that he didn't finish!

Post by **mario** » 22 Apr 2012, 09:27

Shizuka wrote:
GwilymJJames wrote:Five place penalty for Schumacher, who, being in P22, no-one cares about.

I certainly do.
So this makes THREE mechanical problems in FOUR weekends for Michael - sure, in China it was only a wheelnut, but that still ended up as a DNF. I can imagine him being really angry right now: in Melbourne it wasn't his fault that he retired, in Sepang it wasn't entirely his fault that he finished 10th, in China it wasn't his fault that he didn't finish!

At that rate, Schumacher might as well start from the pit lane - he is starting as good as last on the grid anyway, but starting from the pit lane would allow the team to make some modifications to the car if they wanted, not to mention that he'd be able to pick his way through any collisions at the first corner without having to risk being caught up in one himself.

On another note, I am not sure if this has been reported elsewhere but Vergne has been reprimanded for missing a weight check in qualifying - the stewards decided that, because the team tried to rectify the situation as quickly as possible, that they would not impose a stricter penalty. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99060

Sublime_FA11C · Post by **Sublime_FA11C** » 22 Apr 2012, 10:11

mario wrote:At that rate, Schumacher might as well start from the pit lane - he is starting as good as last on the grid anyway, but starting from the pit lane would allow the team to make some modifications to the car if they wanted, not to mention that he'd be able to pick his way through any collisions at the first corner without having to risk being caught up in one himself.

Well said. He should start from the pit lane specifically to avoid first lap trouble even if all they do to the car is replace a loose sticker. He can pick off the opposition more easily when they spread out a bit. Probably easier on the tyres as well.

Pedestrian wrote:On a more serious note, the top 4 look awfully simillar to an average 2011 grid. Let's hope we won't see a return to that type of races too.

I don't think Bahrain qualifying represents the balance of power correctly. Saving tyres turned out to be much more important than trying to set a killer lap. It was a half-harted attempt to get qualifying out of the way, especially in Q3. Times could have been much faster and closer.

Paul Hayes wrote:I think we might have to all give up on making any predictions about F1 this year, and just accept that no bugger has a clue what's going to happen.

Yes, it refuses to settle in a predictable groove. And winning a race or having a superb performance seems to put a curse on you as well, so Hamilton must be very pleased to collect 3rd and quietly lead the championship.

All this insane unpredictability makes me seriously want to put Barichello down to win indy! Because fu*k logic, that's why!

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 22 Apr 2012, 10:17

Sublime_FA11C wrote:All this insane unpredictability makes me seriously want to put Barichello down to win indy! Because fu*k logic, that's why!

No way man. Alesi will sweep through with the Newman/Haas Lotus and take home a commanding Indy win :lol:

Oh, and for the record, around here it's bathplug, not the 4 letter word that begins with f and ryhmes with duck to save the metcalfs of this world from premature corruption :lol:

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 22 Apr 2012, 10:24

Wizzie wrote:
Sublime_FA11C wrote:All this insane unpredictability makes me seriously want to put Barichello down to win indy! Because fu*k logic, that's why!

No way man. Alesi will sweep through with the Newman/Haas Lotus and take home a commanding Indy win

Oh, and for the record, around here it's bathplug, not the 4 letter word that begins with f and ryhmes with duck to save the metcalfs of this world from premature corruption

I had heard that word long before I was wmetcalf66's age.

Collieafc · Post by **Collieafc** » 22 Apr 2012, 10:32

Shizuka wrote:
GwilymJJames wrote:Five place penalty for Schumacher, who, being in P22, no-one cares about.

I certainly do.
So this makes THREE mechanical problems in FOUR weekends for Michael - sure, in China it was only a wheelnut, but that still ended up as a DNF. I can imagine him being really angry right now: in Melbourne it wasn't his fault that he retired, in Sepang it wasn't entirely his fault that he finished 10th, in China it wasn't his fault that he didn't finish!

Hes on his 3rd gearbox already in just 4 races. Arnt they meant to last 5 races each?

Sublime_FA11C · Post by **Sublime_FA11C** » 22 Apr 2012, 10:45

Wizzie wrote:No way man. Alesi will sweep through with the Newman/Haas Lotus and take home a commanding Indy win :lol:

Shame on you. Who among us wouldn't dream of Alesi winning it? But some things are not meant to be, you know that. If Rubens wins it though, do you think he would be left speechless for a good ten minutes. Imagine that?

And on the subject of Schumacher's gearbox, i guess this was a cheap way to pick up a shiny new one instead of making do with a dodgy one for several more GP.

Shadaza · Post by **Shadaza** » 22 Apr 2012, 11:18

It started to rain during an interview with schumacher!

Collieafc · Post by **Collieafc** » 22 Apr 2012, 11:24

And cooled the track down a LOT. Maybe change/ruin some strategies?

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 22 Apr 2012, 11:31

I'll be disappearing soon before the BBC highlights have been on. But rain?! Is it actually raining?!

Post by **mario** » 22 Apr 2012, 11:32

Collieafc wrote:
Shizuka wrote:
GwilymJJames wrote:Five place penalty for Schumacher, who, being in P22, no-one cares about.

I certainly do.
So this makes THREE mechanical problems in FOUR weekends for Michael - sure, in China it was only a wheelnut, but that still ended up as a DNF. I can imagine him being really angry right now: in Melbourne it wasn't his fault that he retired, in Sepang it wasn't entirely his fault that he finished 10th, in China it wasn't his fault that he didn't finish!

Hes on his 3rd gearbox already in just 4 races. Arnt they meant to last 5 races each?

Yes, although there have been a spate of gearbox failures recently, haven't there? Asides from Schumacher's problems (I'm surprised that at this rate Rosberg hasn't also had gearbox problems), along with Maldonado, we have also seen Hamilton and Kimi also change gearboxes in the previous few races (although in the case of Hamilton that was due to damage in transit).

On another note, and just to add to the slight air of disquiet that is around this race, now we have heavy cloud and rain showers hitting the track, with reports that the conditions are currently considerably cooler than yesterday. That could play into the hands of McLaren, given that they are reportedly thinking of using the soft tyres during the race whilst most of the field are planning to run predominantly on the medium tyres - cooler track conditions would reduce the possibility of thermal degradation, and may help them eke some extra life out of the tyres.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 22 Apr 2012, 11:33

mario wrote:
Collieafc wrote:
Shizuka wrote:
I certainly do.
So this makes THREE mechanical problems in FOUR weekends for Michael - sure, in China it was only a wheelnut, but that still ended up as a DNF. I can imagine him being really angry right now: in Melbourne it wasn't his fault that he retired, in Sepang it wasn't entirely his fault that he finished 10th, in China it wasn't his fault that he didn't finish!

Hes on his 3rd gearbox already in just 4 races. Arnt they meant to last 5 races each?

Yes, although there have been a spate of gearbox failures recently, haven't there? Asides from Schumacher's problems (I'm surprised that at this rate Rosberg hasn't also had gearbox problems), along with Maldonado, we have also seen Hamilton and Kimi also change gearboxes in the previous few races (although in the case of Hamilton that was due to damage in transit).

On another note, and just to add to the slight air of disquiet that is around this race, now we have heavy cloud and rain showers hitting the track, with reports that the conditions are currently considerably cooler than yesterday. That could play into the hands of McLaren, given that they are reportedly thinking of using the soft tyres during the race whilst most of the field are planning to run predominantly on the medium tyres - cooler track conditions would reduce the possibility of thermal degradation, and may help them eke some extra life out of the tyres.

Why couldn't it rain for any other Bahrain Grand Prix?

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:07

It took a grand total of 1 lap for Ricciardo to fall behind Vergne. :lol:

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:08

Well played Massa.

Shadaza · Post by **Shadaza** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:13

Go Grosjean!

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:14

Gggrrrjjjnnn!!!

WaffleCat · Post by **WaffleCat** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:14

9th and 11th are Rosberg and Perez,just in case Bernie wants to know.

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:21

God dammit McLaren. Are you bathplug kidding me.

FMecha · Post by **FMecha** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:23

Di Resta leads!

Race control to investigate Hamilton-Rosberg collision.

WaffleCat · Post by **WaffleCat** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:24

Dare I say it,the most controversial Bahrain Grand Prix is the most exciting...

the Masked Lapwing · Post by **the Masked Lapwing** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:26

See? My theory was right. Except Ricciardo wasn't fast enough even for a train to form

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:34

Lotus catching Vettel?

the Masked Lapwing · Post by **the Masked Lapwing** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:36

Did Ricciardo seriously just get passed by a Caterham? Dan, just park it now.

tristan1117 · Post by **tristan1117** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:41

Hamilton-Rosberg incident to be investigated after the race.

tristan1117 · Post by **tristan1117** » 22 Apr 2012, 12:46

Another dodgy stop for McLaren? A ROTR for McLaren pit crew? And Rosberg shoves off Alonso!

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 22 Apr 2012, 13:04

Somebody many posts ago said Lotus would have a shot at winning this weekend. Respect.

Post by **mario** » 22 Apr 2012, 13:12

tristan1117 wrote:Another dodgy stop for McLaren? A ROTR for McLaren pit crew? And Rosberg shoves off Alonso!

Somebody at McLaren is going to be getting a pretty severe grilling - two botched pit stops (with seemingly exactly the same problem) whilst his third stop, though untroubled, was still relatively slow (5.4s, which was two seconds slower than what Mercedes could do). Hamilton is probably - and justifiably - going to be pretty frustrated about that come the end of the race, because that has cost him a lot of time...

As for Rosberg, his defensive moves against Hamilton and Alonso are both being investigated after the race - I wonder what the stewards will make of it?

S951 · Post by **S951** » 22 Apr 2012, 13:31

it is true this is a bore fest and it shows vettel can only win from the front not very good in the pack

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 22 Apr 2012, 13:34

Well, safe to say McLaren wins reject of the race.

QuickYoda41 · Post by **QuickYoda41** » 22 Apr 2012, 13:44

the Masked Lapwing wrote:See? My theory was right. Except Ricciardo wasn't fast enough even for a train to form

Man, that's sad.

Trulli is now offended by your theory.

QuickYoda41 · Post by **QuickYoda41** » 22 Apr 2012, 13:46

Podium after returning - didn't take too long for Raikkonen

, especially comparing to a certain 7-times...

Frenchman on the podium - last one was Spa '98 (?)

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 22 Apr 2012, 13:49

That French bloke unrejectified himself.

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 22 Apr 2012, 13:51

I see why he won now, Vettel has the Jenson Button scruff; that's supposed to be good for a second a lap (according to Gareth Jones on Speed).

Myrvold · Post by **Myrvold** » 22 Apr 2012, 14:03

Wizzie wrote:
CoopsII wrote:
QuickYoda41 wrote:I'll watch it, I wanna see who finishes in 9th and 11th.

I'll watch the BBC highlights because not doing so for political reasons will make no difference at all. I know F1 and all of us will move on after this (I expect the drivers to be gone from Bahrain before the faux-champagne has dried out) but I dont think the sport will be untarnished. Although its not a like-for-like comparison, the England cricket team playing in South Africa in the 80s caused huge damage to the players reputation and the sports governing body who seemed powerless to stop them. Its a shame F1 seems to have painted itself into a corner over this.

Speaking of Apartheid, I'm surprised nobody's brought up the South African GPs held in the 80s yet. Again, whether it's a like-for-like comparison is entirely up for debate.

Well, they stopped after 85, when Ligier and... uhm, uhh, Renault (?) didn't go there.

DonTirri · Post by **DonTirri** » 22 Apr 2012, 14:05

Damn. That was ALMOST the perfect finish for the race. (Räikkönen 1st, Vettel 2nd Koba 3rd would be THE finish for me)

So close for Kimi yet so far. I would go as far as to say that this was the BEST Bahrain gp ever. And if you ask me, they were right to go there. F1 should not take political stances in any direction.

I hope Lotus can maintain the pace at Spain, Räikkönen just might be contending for the title this year.

ps: bathplug Ecclestone.

DOSBoot · Post by **DOSBoot** » 22 Apr 2012, 14:10

A slightly boring race because Vettel won, but it did have some good moments behind. It was great to see Grojean unrejectify himself, and lead a lap as well. Kimi alomst getting the better of Vettel, and Paul di Resta maybe unrejectifying himself depending if Rosberg's penalty does stand.

Post by **Nuppiz** » 22 Apr 2012, 14:20

Oh and remember those threats by the Anonymous? Well:

Formula 1.com wrote:An HTTP error occurred while getting:

http://www.formula1.com/

Details: "connect timed out"

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 22 Apr 2012, 14:23

Seems to be working now...

Ferrim · Post by **Ferrim** » 22 Apr 2012, 14:26

In the end I've had to stay at home and so I've watched the race, not a bad one.

Great effort from Massa to finish only a few seconds behind Alonso! There was a point when they were racing close to each other and I was expecting a "this is ridiculous!" radio message from Felipe :mrgreen:

"Fernando... Felipe is... faster... than... you."

Oh, and Di Resta is very close to unrejectification now!

Also happy that Williams had to retire this race, at most they would have scored 1 point and only because of Button's problems, so it's not a great loss.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 22 Apr 2012, 14:27

Pay attention to Stats F1 today. Their driver of the day? Kimi Räikkönen. And their car of the day? The Marussia MR-01 :lol:

The race? Pretty exciting, I have to say. The best Bahrain GP I've ever seen.