In 2004, Sakhir marked a new chapter in Grand Prix racing when it hosted the first modern race in the Middle East, on the archipelago of Bahrain. It was an unusual sight to see Grand Prix cars in the Persian Gulf, surrounded by sand.
The track is tough on brakes, with some big stops at the end of the various long straights. One of the more interesting sections is Turns 9 and 10, two consecutive left-handers, the first of which involves braking on a curve. Many drivers steam in there too quickly and lock a wheel. Turn 11, a long left-hander also potentially creates a few different line interpretations.
In the season opener two weeks ago, the new rule which saw Pirelli bringing three tyre compounds each weekend appears to have opened up some more variation in strategies. On a circuit where Ferrari are expected to be even closer to Mercedes than in Melbourne, it will be good to see if this plays out as a decisive factor. The Ferrari pair have opted for three sets of mediums, four softs and six supersofts, while Hamilton and Rosberg will be using just a set of mediums each, six sets of softs and six sets of supersofts. Another thing to bear in mind is that due to the 18:00 start time, the track temperature will keep dropping as the race goes on.
After Vettel's astonishing launch off the line in Australia and Mercedes's tardy starts, the Brackley-based team will be under the radar on that front too. No amount of qualifying pace can protect them from such a dodgy beginning to the Grand Prix. Ferrari could really capitalise here if they get ahead.
And speaking of qualifying, it has been decided that the so-far unpopular format introduced in Round 1 will at least be retained for Bahrain, with several minutes of running and then a point in each session at which drivers will be eliminated every 90 seconds for the remainder of the time. Perhaps we will see this show some potential and the sense of climax some thought it lacked in the opening round.
Today's big news is that Fernando Alonso will not take part in Bahrain after it was a fractured rib has been discovered. The precautionary move to rest the Spaniard means that Belgium's star and reigning GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne making his Grand Prix debut for McLaren.
In 2014, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg memorably duelled it out in a tense and fraught battle which lit up the Grand Prix and their rivalry. With first blood to Nico in Melbourne, will we see a tougher Nico with his elbows out here too?
To make your predictions for the race and enter the Ten-Tenths Predictions contest, go here:
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...92#post3628692
You have until the start of Q1 to enter. It's still early days so there's plenty of reason to enter even if you missed Round 1!
Likewise with Fantasy F1, your opportunity to create your own Formula 1 team, the link for which is here:
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146625
(entries must be received before FP1 to be accepted for Bahrain).
Constructor's Championship so far:
http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-...standings.html
Drivers' Championship so far:
http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-...standings.html
Tyre Choices:
https://www.formula1.com/content/fom...r-bahrain.html
Circuit length: 5.412km
Number of laps: 57
Race distance: 308.238km
First World Championship*Grand*Prix: 2004
Dry weather tyre compounds: Medium, Soft and Supersoft
DRS Detection Zone 1: Between Turns 9 and 10
DRS Activation Zone 1: On straight between Turns 10 and 11
DRS Detection Zone 2: At end of straight just before Turn 14
DRS Activation Zone 2: On start-finish straight
Speed trap: At end of start-finish straight
Lap Record: 1:31.447 – Pedro de la Rosa – McLaren-Mercedes (2005)
