FORMULA ONE 2012 thread...

[Katzkatz]

Note to Kimi - better to lose 20 seconds in the pits than 3-4 a lap for 10 laps!

Reply from Kimi : "I was, was too busy in the car(long pause) taking a ****!"

[theantmeister]

So some Force India engineers got petrol bombed in Bahrain. I'm glad no-one was hurt, but I'm also glad this happened. The FIA have made a monumentally stupid decision to go ahead with this race. Maybe now they'll think twice about going ahead with the race. Putting people's lives at risk and effectively supporting an oppressive regime and for what? Money? Ugh.

[markopoloman]

I think the report was a bit of a dramatized version of events though - and that is going to happen all weekend! I don't want the GP to go ahead there but over-reaction from the media is going to cause just as much trouble as rioting slaves.

Apparently there was a demonstration and the police were trying to prevent it from going on... a petrol bomb was thrown and the van carrying the 4 Force India guys just happened to arrive on the scene at that point. No one was hurt and they drove onto the hotel. A member of the team (not from the car) asked if he could go back to the UK due to this.

Onto the race - DRS could save it - and at least they have ditched the upgraded track that made it even worse in 2010. For the 1st time this year.............. NO rain expected!!

[Katzkatz]

Hmmmm, Bahrain. This is a tricky situation. I personally don't think it should go ahead. Ironically, F1 travels to other dangerous places(e.g. Brazil), but in Bahrain's instance, the politics of situation tend to get in the way.

Bahrain - blah, another Tilkedrome. Hopefully, DRS will spice things up. Will the Mercedes be strong again? Or will the McLaren come back up to speed? Or will Checo(aka Perez) be on form again? Or maybe Kimi? It is good that so far, we have different winners. I only hope that Perez and Kimi might pull off some wins. It would be nice to see.

[theantmeister]

Onto the race - DRS could save it - and at least they have ditched the upgraded track that made it even worse in 2010. For the 1st time this year.............. NO rain expected!!

Oh, didn't realise they had dumped the 2010 changes (I wouldn't call them upgrades!). Well that might help.

That reminds me, every time I play F1 2010 it rains in Bahrain. Man, that game is a piece of crap.

[markopoloman]

F1 2011 is better................ No Bahrain race

[theantmeister]

So Vettel got pole. Red Bull back on top?

Ferrari, oh dear.

NO Force India in the coverage. I wonder why? Really mature Bernie

[DreamcastRIP]

Surprised by Red Bull's performance. Not at all impressed with Vettel still doing his raised wonky finger celebration afterwards...



... given everything that's happening in Bahrain.

Still, at least both Ferrari and Schuey failed abysmally again!

[Katzkatz]

The return of THE FINGER! That Red Bull does look quick now. Both Vettel and Webber seem a lot happier with the car.

As for the race tomorrow, well it looks like it could a 5 pitstop strategy for some teams. Those tyres are going to have to be used wisely. Can Button take the advantage with that?

It does look like it could a bit of a lottery. Webber, Vettel, Hamilton, Button or Rosberg could take the win. At least, I am counting on the Red Bull not being as fast as it was in race trim.

[markopoloman]

Why did you have to put that pic of THE FINGER on here I screamed in disbelief when he got pole!

Was brilliant seeing...............

Schumi go out in Q1
Massa's engineer punching the air when Massa got into the top 10 in Q2 (and then every other car crossing the line going faster and knocking back down to 14th
Kimi fall out of Q2

The lack of coverage for Force India is a talking point - they made an issue about being in Bahrain so got not a shot of TV coverage!!!!

[Liamh1982]

Think Kovalainen deserves a mention for being the man who squeezed Schumi out of Q1 - could this finally be the start of the long-promised Caterham breakthrough?

[Treguard]

I'm beginning to think Bernie would still be telling everyone how safe things are on camera even if he was cowering behind a wall under gunfire and showers of Molotov cocktails.

[theantmeister]

Aaahh, so close for Kimi! I wish I could say I'm happy to see Vettel back in front, but at least he had some competition.

And yay, Massa finally scored some points!

Double retirement for Williams. What a shame

[markopoloman]

Was a pretty damn good race considering it was Bahrain. No bombs - no mad demonstrators on the track - no trouble at all (in the circuit grounds).

McLaren are going backwards fast
Shame Kimi couldn't keep up the pressure on the snap-able finger man - I hate it when there is a start to finish winner (especially him, as he really isn't THAT good in the pack).

Will comment more later - off to work

[Katzkatz]

A decent race. Kimi for me, was the star of the show. A great drive. Good drive for Grosjean as well. That Lotus looks good now.

Red Bull's finger has returned! I think from Spain onwards, they are going to be very fast. Interesting that Vettel forgot to mention that it was actually a Renault 1, 2, 3 and 4 in post race conference. But then again, it was his teammate in 4th place.

There will be a lot of head scratching back at the McLaren HQ. Still, Lewis scored some points.

Good drive from Alonso. His red double decker Ferrari made its way into the points. Good drive from Massa as well.

Di Resta did a good job in the Force India.

Rosberg was a bit naughty with his driving.

I hope that in Spain we have another different winner - but I get the feeling we are going to see the Red Bull strong there.