2008 Bahrain Grand Prix [April 6th]

[Rocket Punch]

3rd race of the season. Will we see a first win for BMW here?

 

[MustangSVT]

I think another Ferrari win, they usually do very well here. What I would love to see a BMW win at Hockenheim and at Hungaroring by Heidfeld and Kubica respectively, although that'd be asking a bit much.

 

[J-PaP]

i'm voting for a kimi win and another strong performance from toyota as they both tested here. Can massa make it a hatric? One of the ferrari personnel confirmed that massa spun on his own (not that we didn't know that already) in malaysia so it depends how much he tries to push for a win but I think massa won't ruin his race again this week. A mclaren or bmw in second and scrapping for 4-6th. Alonso I think will really struggle this race.

 

[Blake]

Bahrain is an awesome track. Looking forward to seeing some good dicing here.

I’m expecting Ferrari to do well, hoping Kimi can take another (crushing) victory. I also hope Massa doesn’t ruin his race with a stupid mistake. Again.

Also hoping for another good showing by BMW; I’m really impressed with the job they’re doing this year. Really showing they have what it takes to challenge the established teams. They have some really ambitious plans and have been working really hard for this, and it good to see them exceeding even their own (initial) expectations.

Only a collaboration between the Germans and the Swiss could be so methodical, efficient, and successful.

 

[Muzaffar]

Meh, I think Ferrari is gonna run away with this. So far, Ferrari and Renault won twice in Bahrain. But I don't think Renault are ever gonna challenge Ferrari, McLaren or even the BMW's here. Toyota and maybe even Williams should perform well here after a good showing in Malaysia. As for Massa, I think he could easily spin at turn 9 and 10 during the race, but yeah, we will see how much patience he has during the race and not overreact to keep up with Kimi. Yeah, all and all, another good race to watch........

 

[mustang245]

As well as Iceman did here pre-season, I think it will be his to lose. He should have his race confidence after Malaysia. As my driver is languishing, I count on Nick & Rob to mix things up. I'll be closely watching Massa, they say everything happens in threes. And I'll cheer on Alonso no matter what, he'll be back someday. He may be down, but not out as DC learned in Sepang...

 

[Alex.]

I have a feeling Kubica or Nick could get the maiden win here, two 2nd's in 2 races, I think that with Ferrari on 2nd race engines and mclaren seemingly off form, they can take it.

 

[Bram Turismo]

I have a feeling Kubica or Nick could get the maiden win here, two 2nd's in 2 races, I think that with Ferrari on 2nd race engines and mclaren seemingly off form, they can take it.

That would be a no then.

Yes, BMW is very fast this season, but Nick doesn't seem to be as comfortable with the new car as Kubica is, I therefore think Kubica would take that win, and not Heidfeld.

But even so, I don't think BMW has what it takes to win, yet. You just cannot rely on other teams blowing their engines for you to win, you need to work on your car to make it faster. And seeing all those adds BMW put on their car in the winter, it'll take 'em a while to find the speed to challenge MClaren and Ferrari. BMW is fast, but they're just that little notch off from Ferrari and Mclaren, I think that BMW will be able to challenge Ferrari and Mclaren, but not now already

However, I do believe BMW will snatch off with a podium in Bahrein though, with Kubica being BMW's man to do it once again 👍

The win? Hamster vs. Kimi?

Best of the rest: Williams this time?

Honda will be eager to finally get a point in Bahrein, but I'm skeptical if they can do it with Renault, Toyota and Williams to catch...

Hoping for another strong performance from Trulli, looks like he's found his form again, but like he said after the Malaysian GP: 4th is the absolute best for them to get, and nothing more is possible...Still, 4th as a best result is still a lot better than their 2007 performance 👍

 

[prisonermonkeys]

It seems the McMercs have been allocated different garages for this race. Where they had the fifth garages in Melbourne and Sepang, the organisers of the Bahrain Grand Prix have actually put them where they belong; the first set of garages when you drive in. They did, after all, score zero points last year; why should they get special priveliges?

 

[Ram-Rod]

I'm rooting for Kimi, of course, but it would be really nice to see a BMW cross the line in first. I think Ferrari and McLaren are that one step ahead of BMW, but it would, no doubt, be good to see BMW edge one out here (or anytime this year, German GP especially).

 

[mustang245]

It seems the McMercs have been allocated different garages for this race. Where they had the fifth garages in Melbourne and Sepang, the organisers of the Bahrain Grand Prix have actually put them where they belong; the first set of garages when you drive in. They did, after all, score zero points last year; why should they get special priveliges?

For once, we are in total agreement...

 

[Havok_]

Ferraris pace at Malaysia were unmatched. And Bahrain has a similar track layout, some tight corners mixed with very high speed high G corners. the BMW's ran great last GP and their performance will only improve from here on out...i believe a Ferrari front row is to be expected followed by the BMW's then a mix of toyotas, mclaren's and the the usual suspects. i am hoping Alondo finishes up in the points, beacause these last 2 races he's driven amazingley considering the lackluster perfomance of the R28. Taking a 12-15th place car and finishing up in the points is phenomenal...should be a great race

 

[Blake]

They did, after all, score zero points last year; why should they get special priveliges?

I believe at most circuits it is impossible for them to fit their motor home at the “wrong” end of the pit lane / paddock. But I don’t have a source for that, it’s just something I remember reading. Not sure how true it is.

 

[Muzaffar]

I believe at most circuits it is impossible for them to fit their motor home at the “wrong” end of the pit lane / paddock. But I don’t have a source for that, it’s just something I remember reading. Not sure how true it is.

Its very true Blake. Well if you notice, the bigger teams do always have a bigger paddock to fit their equipments, crew, etc. If you do notice it, Ferrari has a very big paddock compared to the lower teams such as Force India and Super Aguri. This was most evident in Melbourne, as the Super Aguri paddock was very very small! The only reason why McLaren got a better paddock was because they (just like Ferrari) have a lot of equipment with them and could not fit in the smaller (last) paddock. I think they now go back to the last paddock (as I presume) that the last end of the paddock is big enough to fit everything inside for McLaren.

Yeah, I am talking rubbish am I?

 

[Omnis]

That would be a no then.

Yes, BMW is very fast this season, but Nick doesn't seem to be as comfortable with the new car as Kubica is, I therefore think Kubica would take that win, and not Heidfeld.

Hey, if Heidfeld could pass Alonso last year, I wouldn't doubt him doing very well this time around.

Remember, in Malaysia he would've been in front of Kubica had he not got caught up in the first turn with Jarno. Both drivers are comfortable enough with their cars.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Hey, if Heidfeld could pass Alonso last year, I wouldn't doubt him doing very well this time around.

Remember, in Malaysia he would've been in front of Kubica had he not got caught up in the first turn with Jarno. Both drivers are comfortable enough with their cars.

But could Heidfeld hold Robert of his back during the whole race?

I don't think Trulli's to blame for the large margin between both BMW drivers by the end of the race, at this moment, I really believe Robert purely out-paces Nick with the F1.08

 

[Omnis]

But could Heidfeld hold Robert of his back during the whole race?

I don't think Trulli's to blame for the large margin between both BMW drivers by the end of the race, at this moment, I really believe Robert purely out-paces Nick with the F1.08

You never know. Heidfeld was in traffic more than Kubica was. The point is, they're both comfortable enough with the cars not to have any kind of problem or glaring difference between them.

 

[Blake]

I really believe Robert purely out-paces Nick with the F1.08

And you’re ignoring the evidence produced at the Australian GP?

 

[mustang245]

What about fastest race lap @ Sepang for Nick? Let's not forget that...👍
and he rarely makes mistakes. Both great drivers, but Kubica more prone to offs, crashes, etc. I can't remember Nick's last mistake.

 

[LouTs337]

Ferrari should have the edge, hoping for kimi to win it offcourse, and felipe to finish the race, mclaren will be a lot stronger then last race here so they can challenge it too, bmw maybe but only if strange things happen to mclaren and ferrari...

Still think Ferrari should have the edge over mclaren (thanks to testing also), Its make or break time for felipe so he might even win it, or crash out of it

 

[Metar]

My only prediction is that the last car on the grid will be a certain Anthony Davidson, assuming no penalties.

 

[Roo]

What about fastest race lap @ Sepang for Nick? Let's not forget that...👍

On low fuel, soft tyres, a very rubbered in track, and no-one else (apart from Hamilton, on the hard tyres) was pushing. Kimi could've gone faster if he had needed to.

Bahrain: Kimi will win, by 20-30 seconds. Massa will either finish second or not at all. 3rd-6th will be a mix of the BMWs and McLarens, and it's fair game for the rest of the field for the tail-end of the points.

 

[mustang245]

On low fuel, soft tyres, a very rubbered in track, and no-one else (apart from Hamilton, on the hard tyres) was pushing. Kimi could've gone faster if he had needed to.

Bahrain: Kimi will win, by 20-30 seconds. Massa will either finish second or not at all. 3rd-6th will be a mix of the BMWs and McLarens, and it's fair game for the rest of the field for the tail-end of the points.

His fast lap impressed me, I always 'expect' one of the 'top' drivers to claim that honor.

 

[kjb]

After seeing Ferrari dominate in the last race you have to think that they are the favorites this race. I think BMW may have a chance to sneak by McLaren for another podium finish.

 

[Rocket Punch]

My only prediction is that the last car on the grid will be a certain Anthony Davidson, assuming no penalties.

I am not so sure man, the Force India's are looking really strong for P22 if you ask me. Sutil had my vote!

 

[Bram Turismo]

What about fastest race lap @ Sepang for Nick? Let's not forget that...👍
.

You're never going to win a race with a fastest lap time, save those things for qualifying and rather spend your time creating the perfect set-up for a car able to keep up a fast pace during a whole race, and not a super fast car for only a lap, because that's useless for 58 laps.

Take Trulli as an example, one really fast qualifyer, but he never was able to show big last season was he?

 

[peterjford]

After Malaysia I think this is Kimi's race to lose. I think the BMW's will have a good chance at another podium because Massa will probably do everything just to finish the race and not take any chances. McLaren should do good as well. After starting so far back last race because of the penalties I don't think we really saw what they are capable of on a track like this. I really would like to see Williams up in the points again and it will be fun to see what Alonso can do. I have a wedding to go to an Sunday so I don't know if I will be able to watch it live. Race is at 4am and I can't seem to find any other time that weekend to sleep. I am too old to go without sleep anymore.

 

[mustang245]

After Malaysia I think this is Kimi's race to lose. I think the BMW's will have a good chance at another podium because Massa will probably do everything just to finish the race and not take any chances. McLaren should do good as well. After starting so far back last race because of the penalties I don't think we really saw what they are capable of on a track like this. I really would like to see Williams up in the points again and it will be fun to see what Alonso can do. I have a wedding to go to an Sunday so I don't know if I will be able to watch it live. Race is at 4am and I can't seem to find any other time that weekend to sleep. I am too old to go without sleep anymore.

Watch the GP and sleep through the wedding? I feel your pain.

 

[TS]

After Malaysia I think this is Kimi's race to lose. I think the BMW's will have a good chance at another podium because Massa will probably do everything just to finish the race and not take any chances. McLaren should do good as well. After starting so far back last race because of the penalties I don't think we really saw what they are capable of on a track like this. I really would like to see Williams up in the points again and it will be fun to see what Alonso can do. I have a wedding to go to an Sunday so I don't know if I will be able to watch it live. Race is at 4am and I can't seem to find any other time that weekend to sleep. I am too old to go without sleep anymore.

Speed will probably re-air the races at 1:30 pm EST, you can catch it then, but if you can't, you should have your DVR set and ready to go.

 

[mustang245]

Lewis or Kimi are obvious favs, but one slip-up and BMW will bring the pain. Kimi is admitting they're a threat now. Despite their cars, I think Kovaleinen & Massa will struggle against the Beemer duo. I'm ready for a 'dogfight'! Damn, those Beemer's are beautiful, I hope they rock the status quo, "Rob, Nick...attack!"