The Great Shame, Blame Game
The repercussions of Sunday’s race continue to reverberate around the F1 world and a select few are speaking out about what can be done. Christian Horner and Martin Whitmarsh in particular are keen to have a rule mandating drivers to take two pitstops be introduced. Horner said: “I think it would be a great shame for the fans if all the races were one-stop like today and I do think that’s a real danger. ”
Credit: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Image
Underperforming Overachiever
Jarno Trulli holds off the competition during the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend. The team are more than happy with their double finish, which is all they had aimed to do. Technical chief Mike Gascoyne is positive they will go onwards and upwards from here, saying: “This is the worst we will do.”
Credit: Lotus Racing
Fernando’s First for Ferrari
Fernando Alonso leads his teammate around the Sakhir circuit before taking his first victory since Japan 2008. He and Massa made it a 1-2 for the Italian squad, with Hamilton joining them on the podium. Pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel suffered mechanical troubles that meant he fell back through the field, ultimately finishing fourth.
Credit: Bridgestone Corporation
The Calm Before the Sandstorm
The Formula One circus has already descended upon the desert but for now, peace reigns around the sandy asphalt. Free Practice gets underway tomorrow, and aside from the heat, and learning about their new cars, the drivers will have to clear up a dusty track to get some clear running in.
Credit: Mercedes GP Petronas
Big Hugs in Bahrain
Jarno Trulli hugs a Toyota team member after achieving his fourth career pole position at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2009. Timo Glock helped the Toyota team lock out the front row with a second place qualifying spot. Trulli went on to claim 3rd position in the race whilst Glock finished 7th.
The Toyota team won’t be present at this year’s Bahrain GP. Jarno can be found a long way from pole position at Lotus F1 Racing, and Timo finds himself in a similar position with Virgin Racing.
Credit: Toyota Motorsport GmbH
Way Back When…
Michael Schumacher drives the Bahrain International Circuit back in 2006, the last time the track held the opening round of the Formula One World Championship. It also marks the last time Schumacher raced an F1 car in the desert, back when grooved tyres were all the rage and cigarette advertising had yet to be banned.
Michael returns to the track this year after a three year absence, this time at the wheel of his Mercedes MGP W01.
No Room for Nerves
Renault driver Vitaly Petrov prepares to get in the car during F1 testing in Jerez. Petrov has said that he isn’t feeling nervous ahead of the season, although people keep asking him. He’s still learning but he says he’s used to racing and knows what’s expected of him. Team boss Eric Boullier confirmed the team were aiming for around about fourth in the championship – not aiming too high, then.
Credit: Andrew Ferraro / LAT Photographic
Business Affairs
Giancarlo Fisichella and Ian Phillips of Force India celebrate the Italian’s pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2009. Ian Phillips most recently held the position of director of business affairs at the team but it has been announced that he will be leaving. He’s been with the squad for 19 years since they were Jordan.
Credit: Force India F1
Slot Car Racing
Jenson Button peers into Lewis Hamilton’s MP4-25 cockpit. The McLaren team are coming under close scrutiny at the moment from rivals who are questioning the functionality of the car’s airbox and rear wing.
Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner said today that his team have asked the FIA for clarification on the matter, and suggested that a slot in the wing might be an attempt to stall the wing to pick up straight line speed.
Credit: McLaren.com
Cool Runnings
Sébastien Buemi takes his Toro Rosso on an early morning lap of the Jerez circuit during Winter testing. Rain is expected to disrupt the weeks running, although skies did clear briefly on Wednesday afternoon.
Credit: Ker Robertson/Getty Images