Comments on: Rate the race: Bahrain

By: Chaz

Chaz — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:58:19 +0000

Oh dear! Pretty damming poll results…

By: David

David — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:01:54 +0000

Exactly!
Till this happens we’ll see no real improvement.

The proposed mandatory 2nd pit stop is just another artificial band-aid. Do we really tune in at ungodly hours to watch a tire changing contest?

By: Fisco

Fisco — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:39:56 +0000

I recnently watched some onboard footage of Mark Webbers start & first few laps of last seasons race, he passed about 6 cars in 2 laps, due to being out of postion after quali. He was again out of position compared to his pace, at the start of this years race, but due to the rule changes there was no repeat of last years overtaking. Why do the FIA constantly shoot themselves in the foot. The only rule change that was required for this season was a ban on double diffusers. This years rules are a step backwards and not good for the sport. Infact the rule changes over the last 7 years have created an endurance series, with long life gearboxes and engines, etc etc. How can this be considered the pinnacle of motorsport anylonger…

By: stever

stever — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:17:37 +0000

I’m sorry to say that this was the MOST boring race I have seen in the 50 some odd years I have been watching, the new longer track just meant it took longer for the cars to come back round to the straight to parade past the stands. the new rules have effectively handcuffed the teams, they have made it so safe and correct that it is no longer worth watching

By: JV

JV — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:03:14 +0000

I voted Rubbish. There nothing more to say.

By: Pink Peril

Pink Peril — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:57:01 +0000

6/10 from me. And 5 of those points were from seeing Nando on the top step of the podium (less 3 for being in a red suit) and the rest were because it was the drought-breaker race I have been waiting, hanging out for 4 months for. Actual racing scored 0/10.

I don’t agree that the lack of action was because of the re-fueling ban. But I think that it possibly didn’t help matters, as in the past the only overtaking we saw was in the pits. Now there is none (or as close to). Ban the aero, ban the front wings and build cars that can follow closely in the dirty air. Then, and not before, will we see some racing. But in the meantime, bring on Melbourne…

By: Seyr

Seyr — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:55:16 +0000

I think it’s too early to blame the issue of this “uninspiring” race on the no refueling regulation. I see four other problems of bigger concern.
1) As previously mentioned, the difference in performance and wear between the prime and option rubber at this race was much too small. The harder tire performs too well and the softer tire wears too slowly.
2) Improved double diffusers down the whole field makes passing basically impossible without a significant pace advantage, like what the podium finishers had over Vettel. Without that advantage, I don’t believe for a moment Alonso’s Ferrari could break out of Vettel’s turbulence in the closing stages.
3) Because passing is effectively impossible, teams opt to save fuel, tires, engines, brakes, gearboxes by cruising behind their competitors which is what most of the front runners were doing throughout the race distance. This obviously makes for a procession.
4) Bahrain is an awful featureless Tilkadrome, probably the least inspiring of this season’s venues.

Solutions should include:
-Harder hard tires, softer soft tires (primarily)
-Ban double diffusers before 2011 (not likely)
-Look at 8-engine/grid drop for replacement rules
-No Bahrain race for 2011.

By: MacLeod

MacLeod — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:55:08 +0000

Kubica was on the Soft while the rest was on hard that is why he looked impressive in the race.

By: Handybaggy

Handybaggy — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:50:50 +0000

I enjoyed the race, and was really happy for Hamilton getting on the podium, aswell as being gutted for Vettel.
As for the “no refueling” i guess it’s a lot safer for the pit guy’s but i did miss the excitement of the fueling pit stops…. when Hamilton and Schumacher pitted at the same time yesterday we all knew Lewis would get out before Michael, but if the fueling was still allowed, things might of been a bit different.

By: KMal

KMal — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:47:50 +0000

5/10 i really thought this was a boring race. Problems from the green light. Usually drivers gun it once the lights go out for the first corner in the hope to jump a car or two and we usually see 1/2/3 cars hitting because of this. Generates a bit of excitment. With 6 more cars on the track this season we didnt even see a front nose being damaged. Drivers were FAR to cautious because they didnt want to hurt their tires and because they didnt get enough dry testing in the winter period to fully know how the car would react with a FULL fuel load on board.

As for the new teams… I have nothing but respect for the 3 teams, that in this climate managed to raise the money to enter the sport. However, i feel that they way in which their enter was handled by the FIA was a joke. I mean 4/6 cars didnt even make half the race distance. They are supposed to add another factor to the race, to mix it up with the other cars and cause exctiment and suprise. Instead what we see are 3 teams so far off the pace that they would just about hold their own in GP2.

F1 this year for me is still a 10 team sport, because we are not going to see anything from the 3 new teams.

But i have to say, fair play to Alonso, he has taken to Ferrari like a duck to water and also good job for Cosworth, i thought pre season that their engines would be way off the pace but Williams seem to have made them work. My fingers are crossed for Australia but if i am honest, i am not sure where this sport is going…