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Bahrain - April 4, 5, 6 of 2008


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.

Bahrain International Circuit
PO Box 26381
Manama
Kingdom of Bahrain
T: (+973) 17450000F: (+973) 17451111


**information can be found on www.formula1.com

For some reason the Bahrainian GP has always been one of my favourites, the 4 straight-aways always make me want to see who can manage to get the fastest through the speed trap.

Gotta agree, for some reason this is one of my favourites on the calendar. Not sure why, just really love the track!

Think we will see another Ferrari win here, possibly Massa but more likely Kimi again, he seems to have regained his cool after his Melbourne misshap.

Not sure weather the silver cars will have the pace to rival the reds, they didnt seem to be as quick last week as they did in Oz. We will see.

Hopefully BMW can continue and turn this into a 3 way battle for the championship, it was a little boring with just Ferrari and McLaren. Who knows, maybe Toyota can pop their heads into contention, but thats highly doubtfull.

I hope Williams come back strong here too, they were great in the first race so i hope they can regain that and bring it here.

Think it will be a fantastic race, would like Hammy to win it (obviously) but think it will be a red man on the top step.

The thing is that BMW seems very stable in these 2 first races. I hope to continue like that.

I really like seeing F1 cars with their rear spoilers up in order to have good high speeds. Downforce=0 :D.

I'm waiting...

Well lets be honest, Massa needs to bounce back this weekend, and both Schuy and Kimi have tipped him to do just that.
But we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Ferrari will no doubt be the strong force this week.
But what off the silver arrows and BMW's. I'd say its anyones guess what will happen. BMW could be fast, they were last year when Heidfeld went around Alonso. I kind of expect Hekki to be on the podium this time around, don't why, just a feeling.

Williams seem strong, but anything can and will happen. Toyota i'd say will be the best of the rest again. They haven't been fast yet, but i'm sure they will be

I'm putting my neck on the line but I am gonna say:

Qualifying:
Kubica (pole !)
Kimi
Kovi

Race:
Kimi
Kubica
Massa

I have a feeling that Kubica will be strong here I don't think he will win the race but I certainly see him finishing on the podium :D.

I dont think the BMW's are strong enough to match the Ferraris just yet. And they look quite dominant this weekend.

Think Massa may just nick it, but weather he can hold it for the whole race this time is another matter.

Wise Nemphis, I love your predictions. I just have ONE thing to edit.

Massa knocked out the fastest time over Kimi by .907!!!!
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/4/7591.html

Qualifying:
Kimi
Massa (maybe pole...)
Kubica
....

Race:
Kimi
Massa
Kubica

*NOTE*
I don't doubt that Kubi could easily win (or come 2nd) in this one, but I think that it's more likely that we'll see a Red 1-2....Hamilton will probly end up 4th or 5th....Das BMW Sauber has been showing really consistent speed, but I don't know if they can step it up enough here to give the red a challenge