2019 Bahrain GP Preview – By Bob Constanduros
Sunny Bahrain; so different to sunny Melbourne? Yes, probably. Very much a different challenge when it comes to the technicalities of Formula One. One is a circuit made up of public roads in a park in downtown Australia, the other a purpose-built circuit in a desert in the Middle East. About the only thing they do have in common is the sun!
So we can expect a different scenario – in theory – here in Bahrain to that two weeks ago in Melbourne. Most of those who had been in Melbourne have been busy analysing what they learned there. Several teams had a fair amount to learn: Ferrari, for instance, have done a lot of analysing as to what had gone right in Barcelona but not so right in Melbourne. They appreciate that Mercedes will have been looking just as closely at their performances, Red Bull the same and all the midfield teams will have been soul-searching, as much as to what went right and why, as to what went wrong and why.
However, the emphasis is different here in Bahrain. First of all, there is the slightly confusing difference between practice sessions, where FP1 and FP3 are held in the day with ambient temperatures approaching 30 degrees and track temperatures close to 50 degrees – maybe more.
But more significant will be FP2 which is held in the late afternoon – like qualifying and the race which starts at 6pm local time. By now the track temperature has dropped by 15 degrees – at least – and the ambient is maybe five degrees less. So there’s a difference between sessions and the work done in each session has to be apportioned accordingly.
But then again, the challenge is different. Melbourne is quite a bumpy circuit, Bahrain is relatively smooth but the granite which was imported from England to make the track surface is quite aggressive and abrasive. Given there is some pretty hard braking here and some strong traction, this can have a significant effect on the tyres, let alone those temperature differences.
This year’s Pirelli choice is the hardest trio produced with drivers going for just one or two sets of hard compound whites, one (Ricciardo) to four (Kubica) sets of yellow mediums and between eight and ten sets of red soft compound tyres. Last year’s selection was mediums, soft and supersoft although this year’s tyres are slightly softer. The strategy last year was for the first three to stop once, having started on the softest (supersoft) available.
At the same time, there are four straights in Bahrain, the longest pit straight at 1090m, the shortest (the next one to turn four) at 555m and no surprise that the FIA have decreed three DRS zones. Mercedes reckon we saw 21 normal overtakes last year and 30 DRS which is pretty good, so how many this year with the increased slot gap in the rear wing? That’s why this could be quite a race.
When it comes to the competition, there are some quite remarkable records. Lewis Hamilton, for instance, has finished all eleven of his races, scoring two wins and two poles. Sebastian Vettel has finished eight out of his ten races, has three poles and four wins, more than anyone. But they are outshone by Kimi Raikkonen in some ways; he’s finished eleven out of 13 races and yet has never quite been on the top step. His best qualifying was second last year; he’s finished second five times and third on three occasions – but never scored pole or a win.
A number of other drivers have had stand-out performances here. Robert Kubica scored his only pole here – back in 2008 and he finished third, while Valtteri Bottas also scored his first pole here in 2017. Romain Grosjean has twice finished third here, in 2012 and 2013. Sergio Perez is another who has finished third, a year later.
Less promising is Max Verstappen who has only finished one of his four Bahrain Grands Prix, his best in qualifying and races being sixth place. Carlos Sainz’s record is even worse, again, only one finish in four races with a best of ninth in qualifying and eleventh in his only finish.
The newcomers have all been here before, putting in reasonable performances in F2. Last year’s winner was Lando Norris who won the first F2 race from pole. George Russell started his championship-winning season with a fifth place while Alexander Albon has raced here four times with a best of fourth. Antonio Giovinazzi hasn’t raced here before at all.
It was raining when I arrived at Dubai this morning, but rain is unlikely to feature during the weekend. There are usually 17 finishers, although only 14 two years ago when we had the new regulations. We have had the occasional safety car, but not every year, so that can be up and down.
All in all, we’re looking at a good race here in Bahrain. After Valtteri Bottas’s dominant performance in Melbourne, can Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari fight back? Red Bull have been winners here but not for some time; neither of their current pair have been on the podium. Renault will certainly be hoping for better, McLaren – after Norris’s excellent qualifying – ultimately got no reward in Melbourne and nor did Williams of course.
So there is much to be reversed in Bahrain. It’s an evening race and it will look fantastic under lights. And it’s warm and sunny.
Ends
