Bahrain GP Preview: A New F1 Season set to Kick-Off!

The moment fans were waiting for, F1 is back !

After a prolonged winter, anticipation peaks as the F1 season gears up to commence in the Pearl of the Persian Gulf, Bahrain. This marks the sixth time the country has hosted the inaugural F1 round. Notably, this season creates a historic moment as the grid remains unchanged from the previous season's finale, a first in F1 history.

What to expect in Bahrain?   

Having recently completed pre-season testing at the same circuit, the teams have had ample opportunity to familiarize themselves with the track. In testing, almost every team looked good in terms of the drivability and handling of the car. So coming race weekend, only sheer pace will determine where the teams stack against each other.

The Bahrain International Circuit boasts everything that an F1 circuit needs. It contains 15 corners, and long and wide straights which provide nice overtaking opportunities. 

What's the pecking order?   

Determining the pecking order in Formula 1 becomes a puzzle when relying solely on the lap times recorded during testing. However, diving deeper into the intricacies of similar track conditions, including fuel load, tyre, etc. might offer a nuanced glimpse into the competitive hierarchy.

The testing phase has left a distinct imprint, revealing Red Bull's authoritative presence at the pinnacle. Across all three testing days, they demonstrated a remarkable performance. The battle for the second spot appears to brew between Ferrari and Mercedes, with McLaren and Aston Martin posing subtle threats. Ferrari showcased significant strides in race pace, and Mercedes unveiled enhanced performance. Day 1 went smoothly for the McLaren team but faced some challenges on days 2 and 3. Similarly, Aston Martin encountered handling issues in the later stages of testing.

In the midfield, VCARB emerged as the standout performer. Williams and Stake F1 exude confidence in their developmental trajectory, while Haas initially appeared underconfident but found solace in extensive laps during testing, prioritizing race simulations. The mysterious positioning of Alpine continues to baffle, leaving everyone uncertain about its standing in the upcoming season.     

It's a Saturday Grand Prix   

Sundays are usually the race days. However, due to the commencement of the Holy Islamic month of Ramadan on March 10th (Sunday), coinciding with the initial schedule of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, it was rescheduled to the 9th of March. Consequently, the Bahrain Grand Prix had to be shifted to the 2nd of March as FIA rules state that there should be a minimum gap of 7 days between two Grand Prix.   

Weather forecast  

The weather throughout the weekend is expected to stay clear and sunny. The temperatures are anticipated to be around 20°C during the day and fall to 16°C at night.

FP2 will be a more important session for the teams as it's the only session that shares the same timings with qualifying and the race. FP1 and FP3 aren't that helpful as the lap times aren't representative because of overheating of the track surface.   

.