Inexperienced
Richard Branson, boss of Virgin Racing, sits on the pit wall during the Bahrain GP weekend. Branson has been talking about his hopes for the future of the team, and suggests that despite their relative inexperience, they could be fighting with the established teams in three to five years. He also added it’s much more exciting to be building a team than sponsoring one that already exists.
Credit: Virgin Racing
All Tired Out
F1 tyres are prepared ahead of testing in Jerez earlier this year. Bridgestone have confirmed that they definitely won’t be in the sport in 2011, dismissing rumours that the FIA could offer up a deal that would see them remain. The managing director of Bridgestone has hinted they might sell their tyre technology onwards but they won’t be using it themselves.
Credit: Bridgestone Motorsport
Reflecting His Confidence
Jenson Button has been defending his confidence to the media, after losing out to Hamilton in the opening round of the season. Button finished 8th and over 20 seconds behind his teammate, but says whilst his qualifying pace could use some improvement, he’s not too worried about it yet.
Credit: www.mclaren.com
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 Back of Beyond
Sebastian Vettel celebrates his pole position in Bahrain, hugging chief mechanic Kenny Handkammer. The Red Bull driver stormed to pole, whilst teammate Webber qualified in 6th, after making a mistake on his final flying lap. Tyre wear was a significant problem in the heat of the desert, but Vettel starts in the best possible position – ahead of Massa and Alonso.
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The Boys are Back in Town
A ten-part F1 Big Picture series celebrating the return of F1 in Bahrain. Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel compare notes as they make their way through the paddock in Bahrain. Button finished ahead of Vettel in both sessions, but the pair were only four tenths apart by the end of the day. Vettel is slightly concerned about the lack of running he got in the afternoon, a brake problem meant he completed ten laps less than Button.
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Many Massa Returns
A ten-part F1 Big Picture series celebrating the return of F1 in Bahrain. Massa steers the Ferrari around Bahrain during Free Practice. Felipe made his F1 weekend return after sitting out the sport since his accident in Hungary 2009. His performance in testing showed no significant issues, and despite running with a temperature today, he says he’s ready for the first race to begin.
Credit: Bridgestone Corporation
Glock ‘n Roll
A ten-part F1 Big Picture series celebrating the return of F1 in Bahrain. Timo Glock leads Pedro de la Rosa, Virgin ahead of Sauber during Free Practice today. We saw several cars overtaking others as the teams got used to slower drivers on the grid. The field spread was vast. Glock has admitted he’s frustrated with the lack of running he got today, he just wants to get on with it.
Credit: Virgin Racing