right. some of you might remember that i used to this before evry gp.
starting again. sorry im late
BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
THE CIRCUIT
The 2004 Grand Prix of Bahrain marked the first ever round of the FIA Formula One World Championship to be held in the Middle East and the official culmination of a multi-million dollar project started back in September 2002 when the Kingdom of Bahrain signed a long-term deal to host the event.
Located at Sakhir, 30 km south-west of the island's capital, Manama, the Herman Tilke designed circuit contains no less than five track layouts within one complex. Construction began in November 2002 and in the months prior to its March 2004 completion, work was going on around the clock. Over 12,000 tonnes of stone were used in the build, a third of it Welsh granite, chosen for the track surface due to its excellent adhesive qualities.
The 5.411 km Grand Prix circuit was designed with the spectator in mind, with 50,000 grandstand seats, all providing excellent views. Those spectators (a total of 100,000 over a race weekend) get to see the cars heading into the external desert area, before coming back into the oasis-styled infield. Up to 500 journalists can also witness the action from the venue's purpose-built media centre.
The track offers the driver a unique experience in the way the circuit's width varies at the end of the different straights. This allows for diverse racing lines, and the 12-corner design provides at least three genuine overtaking opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS
As the track temperature sidled up 13 degrees Celsius since this morning’s practice times, the first qualifying session proved to be a scorcher in more ways than one. After Michael Schumacher’s speed this morning there were widespread fears in other camps that Ferrari would dominate - and they were very nearly realised.
Pedro de la Rosa kicked things off, and the Spaniard did an excellent stand-in job for McLaren by lapping in 1m 30.725s when the track was at its least clean. Jenson Button’s turn came and went and realised his worries about running early, as he could only coax 1m 30.957s from his BAR. This was faster than Takuma Sato, who ran second and lapped in 1m 31.113s, but would only be good enough for 12th overall.
Much was expected of Mark Webber after practice, and when his turn came the Australian did not disappoint, pushing his Williams round in 1m 30.592s to dislodge de la Rosa, but just as quickly he was demoted by Giancarlo Fisichella, though the Italian would have been faster than 1m 30.445s had he not
lost grip in the last corner.
A lull followed as Kimi Raikkonen came up short for McLaren with 1m 30.594s after also losing out at the end of the lap, but Michael Schumacher did the business for Ferrari with a smooth 1m 30.237s. In the warm circumstances, it seemed that might be enough.
Brother Ralf spoiled his lap for Toyota almost straight away, understeering wide in Turn Four, but then Nick Heidfeld popped in a very quick lap to jump up to second on 1m 30.390s in the second Williams. That left Trulli and Alonso as Schumacher’s challengers. The Italian is one of the best qualifiers in the game, and soon redefined things with 1m 29.993s for Toyota, but the Spaniard is a match for him and immediately stamped his authority with fastest times in the first and second sectors. At one stage he was almost half a second up, but even though he lost time sliding through the final corner his 1m 29.848s pushed him into what is fast becoming his customary slot.
The first seven, then, were Alonso, Trulli, M Schumacher, Heidfeld, Fisichella, Webber and Raikkonen, while a surprise eighth was Christian Klien who has been doing a fine job all weekend for Red Bull Racing. This time he lapped strongly in 1m 30.646s, edging de la Rosa back to ninth. Felipe Massa rounded out the top 10, with a very well-driven lap of 1m 30.933s. The Brazilian was the only leading driver to go quicker than he had in the morning, despite the hotter conditions.
Behind Ralf Schumacher, Button and Sato, David Coulthard was a disappointed 14th on 1m 31.211s, unhappy with the balance of his Red Bull. Behind him came Rubens Barrichello, driving with his fingers crossed that his repaired gearbox would hold together. It did, but asking him to go fast with so few laps under his wheels was a tall order and after locking up going into Turn One he had to be satisfied with 1m 31.826s.
Even less happy was Jacques Villeneuve, who lost his morning pace compared to Sauber team mate Massa and understeered round in 1m 32.318s after running very wide in the last corner.
Once again Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro were close, the Indian recording 1m 33.190s and the Portuguese 1m 33.424s. Christijan Albers continued to impress at Minardi, showing Patrick Friesacher the way round with a lap of 1m 34.005s compared to 1m 34.848s.
What happens during today's qualifications is left to be seen
RACE TIMINGS
SUNDAY QUALIFYING: 12.57
RACE DAY: 4.00 P.M.
MY PREDICTIONS
Michelins have the obvious advantage in these hot conditions. With this in mind, and seeing the performance of Toyota, my money is on Trulli on podium. He might have a shot at 1st place. Alonso is another sure shot onto the podium. Watch out for a surprise attack by Nick Heidfeld if he retains his performance. Ferrai might have the advantage with their new car but Bridgestone will be the let down in these soaring temperatures. They will have the advantage in Europe but today, I can see a chance of a Ferrari podium finish but they will struggle.
predictions are welcome
starting again. sorry im late
BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX
THE CIRCUIT
The 2004 Grand Prix of Bahrain marked the first ever round of the FIA Formula One World Championship to be held in the Middle East and the official culmination of a multi-million dollar project started back in September 2002 when the Kingdom of Bahrain signed a long-term deal to host the event.
Located at Sakhir, 30 km south-west of the island's capital, Manama, the Herman Tilke designed circuit contains no less than five track layouts within one complex. Construction began in November 2002 and in the months prior to its March 2004 completion, work was going on around the clock. Over 12,000 tonnes of stone were used in the build, a third of it Welsh granite, chosen for the track surface due to its excellent adhesive qualities.
The 5.411 km Grand Prix circuit was designed with the spectator in mind, with 50,000 grandstand seats, all providing excellent views. Those spectators (a total of 100,000 over a race weekend) get to see the cars heading into the external desert area, before coming back into the oasis-styled infield. Up to 500 journalists can also witness the action from the venue's purpose-built media centre.
The track offers the driver a unique experience in the way the circuit's width varies at the end of the different straights. This allows for diverse racing lines, and the 12-corner design provides at least three genuine overtaking opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS
As the track temperature sidled up 13 degrees Celsius since this morning’s practice times, the first qualifying session proved to be a scorcher in more ways than one. After Michael Schumacher’s speed this morning there were widespread fears in other camps that Ferrari would dominate - and they were very nearly realised.
Pedro de la Rosa kicked things off, and the Spaniard did an excellent stand-in job for McLaren by lapping in 1m 30.725s when the track was at its least clean. Jenson Button’s turn came and went and realised his worries about running early, as he could only coax 1m 30.957s from his BAR. This was faster than Takuma Sato, who ran second and lapped in 1m 31.113s, but would only be good enough for 12th overall.
Much was expected of Mark Webber after practice, and when his turn came the Australian did not disappoint, pushing his Williams round in 1m 30.592s to dislodge de la Rosa, but just as quickly he was demoted by Giancarlo Fisichella, though the Italian would have been faster than 1m 30.445s had he not
lost grip in the last corner.
A lull followed as Kimi Raikkonen came up short for McLaren with 1m 30.594s after also losing out at the end of the lap, but Michael Schumacher did the business for Ferrari with a smooth 1m 30.237s. In the warm circumstances, it seemed that might be enough.
Brother Ralf spoiled his lap for Toyota almost straight away, understeering wide in Turn Four, but then Nick Heidfeld popped in a very quick lap to jump up to second on 1m 30.390s in the second Williams. That left Trulli and Alonso as Schumacher’s challengers. The Italian is one of the best qualifiers in the game, and soon redefined things with 1m 29.993s for Toyota, but the Spaniard is a match for him and immediately stamped his authority with fastest times in the first and second sectors. At one stage he was almost half a second up, but even though he lost time sliding through the final corner his 1m 29.848s pushed him into what is fast becoming his customary slot.
The first seven, then, were Alonso, Trulli, M Schumacher, Heidfeld, Fisichella, Webber and Raikkonen, while a surprise eighth was Christian Klien who has been doing a fine job all weekend for Red Bull Racing. This time he lapped strongly in 1m 30.646s, edging de la Rosa back to ninth. Felipe Massa rounded out the top 10, with a very well-driven lap of 1m 30.933s. The Brazilian was the only leading driver to go quicker than he had in the morning, despite the hotter conditions.
Behind Ralf Schumacher, Button and Sato, David Coulthard was a disappointed 14th on 1m 31.211s, unhappy with the balance of his Red Bull. Behind him came Rubens Barrichello, driving with his fingers crossed that his repaired gearbox would hold together. It did, but asking him to go fast with so few laps under his wheels was a tall order and after locking up going into Turn One he had to be satisfied with 1m 31.826s.
Even less happy was Jacques Villeneuve, who lost his morning pace compared to Sauber team mate Massa and understeered round in 1m 32.318s after running very wide in the last corner.
Once again Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro were close, the Indian recording 1m 33.190s and the Portuguese 1m 33.424s. Christijan Albers continued to impress at Minardi, showing Patrick Friesacher the way round with a lap of 1m 34.005s compared to 1m 34.848s.
What happens during today's qualifications is left to be seen
RACE TIMINGS
SUNDAY QUALIFYING: 12.57
RACE DAY: 4.00 P.M.
MY PREDICTIONS
Michelins have the obvious advantage in these hot conditions. With this in mind, and seeing the performance of Toyota, my money is on Trulli on podium. He might have a shot at 1st place. Alonso is another sure shot onto the podium. Watch out for a surprise attack by Nick Heidfeld if he retains his performance. Ferrai might have the advantage with their new car but Bridgestone will be the let down in these soaring temperatures. They will have the advantage in Europe but today, I can see a chance of a Ferrari podium finish but they will struggle.
predictions are welcome
