In a new feature, I will be assessing ten key features from each Grand Prix weekend from the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. So, first up is an assessment of the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix. It was an event that promised a lot, but turned into a battle for survival and in the end, a tedious affair. So, this is the round-up of the first weekend as Grand Prix returned to school.
Fantastic Fernando Delivers Dream Debut
For Fernando Alonso, he couldn’t have asked for a better start to his Ferrari career. The decision to sack and pay-off Kimi Raikkonen now looks like a shrewd move by the Scuderia. Alonso was back to his old self, he looked happy and confident for the first time since 2006. He has delivered an ominous warning to the rest of the field, including team-mate Felipe Massa that he means business this season. A mistake in qualifying restricted him to a second row start, but the move he pulled on Massa into Turn 2 showed the class of a former champion. The Spanish/Italian national anthems could well be a regular theme in the 2010 season if Bahrain is anything to go by.
Marvellous Massa Returns in Style
It would have been in Felipe Massa’s wildest dreams to have a positive start on his comeback from a serious skull injury. He may have been quick in testing, but racing is a different kettle of fish. Well any critics he may have had were silenced by a fluent and polished performance that bought him a 2nd place finish. Cooling issues with his car in the closing stages made Alonso’s victory margin a little more flattering, but for Felipe, it was imperative to strike an early blow in this new formidable partnership. Okay, he was outclassed by Fernando on race-day, but his qualifying effort will have given his new team-mate some food to think about. Next target for Felipe will be to regain his mantle on the top step of the podium, something he hasn’t achieved since the heartbreaking 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
Red Bull’s Achilles Heel Strikes Again
Had it not been for Red Bull’s reliability problems, particularly with the Renault engine, they could well have been double champions in 2009. 2010 started off in the best possible fashion for the Milton Keynes based team, with Sebastian Vettel’s starring lap to pole position. Although the Ferrari’s never let him rest, he was in total command of the race until Red Bull’s Achilles heel struck again. A cracked exhaust led to a dramatic loss of engine power, and consequently a tumble down the order. Vettel did well to finish 4th, but the German looked furious with the failure and rightly so. Useful points they may be, but if Red Bull want to tie Vettel down long-term, they must build him a car that is durable as well as quick. McLaren’s reliability issues cost them a championship in 2005, Red Bull doesn’t want to follow down that similar path.
Lewis Makes a Quiet and Satisfying Start
It wasn’t Lewis Hamilton’s greatest weekend, but it was far better than 2009. It is clear that McLaren are off the pace at the moment, lacking the downforce levels on the Red Bull and Ferrari cars. Hamilton’s pace in the race, particularly in the second half was quick and consistent though, so it won’t be long before he is on race winning pace. True, Vettel’s issues meant it was a very lucky podium, but it was a quiet and satisfying start for Lewis. Plus, he trounced world champion Jenson Button on opening weekend. Already, he has the upper hand at McLaren; Jenson will do very well to turn it around in the coming races.
Schumacher’s Thunder Stolen Comprehensively
After all the hype and the expectancy, Michael Schumacher’s comeback to Grand Prix racing turned into a bit of a damp squib. Seventh in qualifying, the legendary German could only muster sixth in the race, rarely looking like he was going to advance up the order. All weekend, Michael didn’t look a happy bunny, probably because team-mate Nico Rosberg had 0.5seconds on him all weekend. However, let’s not kid ourselves. Did we really expect Schumi to win his first race back? No, I don’t think so, and he has a habit of winning events in poor cars (i.e. Ferrari 1996). So, let’s not write him off, it would be a fool to do so. Even the best need time to build themselves back up with the complex machinery that is Formula 1.
Sauber Disappoint
They may have looked like a force to be seriously reckoned with during winter testing, but in the heat of the desert, the reformed Sauber team were a major disappointment. Despite to potential of running low fuel to attract much-needed sponsorships, all their qualifying and race simulations pointed to the fact that the car was going to be best of the rest, behind the big boys. However, Pedro de la Rosa and Kamur Kobayashi didn’t trouble and never looked like troubling the top ten, and to cap it off, reliability problems saw both cars retire. It was a sorry start for Sauber, they must improve in Melbourne and otherwise they will have really flattered to deceive.
Lotus: A Creditable & Satisfying Return
For the new teams, the weekend was always going to be a real baptism of fire. However, Lotus came out of it with the reputation firmly intact, in fact, it was a creditable and satisfying return for the Norfolk based team. The experienced versatility of Mike Gascoigne combined with the driving of Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli means the team look like they are going forward. Two finishes was the perfect return and Kovalainen’s race pace was very consistent too. The likes of Renault and Toro Rosso should be concerned, because when Lotus have a massive upgrade due for Barcelona, these teams could be easily embarrassed by the Green Army.
Virgin Racing: Getting To the Flag Would Be an Achievement
There is potential for Virgin Racing and I believe they are here to stay. Timo Glock looks like a very decent signing, and he is keeping the chin up of many of the mechanics, who must be feeling down with the lack of durability on the car. Neither Glock, nor Lucas di Grassi saw the chequered flag, but the pace is there and it is actually quicker than Lotus, so if they can push hard on the development and reliability front, they are more than likely to join the midfield bunch fairly soon.
The Shocker That Is Hispania Racing
However, whilst Lotus shone and Virgin Racing produced flashes of promise, Hispania Racing had an absolute shocker. Karun Chandok did only nine laps all weekend and one in the race, having not turned a wheel in anger before qualifying. Team-mate Bruno Senna got more running in, but didn’t finish either and the car is ridiculously and painfully slow. A tricycle could go faster; it is a depressing situation, painful reminders of Forti and Lola from over a decade ago. At this rate, the team will be lucky to make it to Barcelona on this performance and limited budgets.
The Racing & the Rules: Changes Required
After all the expectations of closer, more exciting and gripping racing, Brilliant Bahrain became Bahrain Bore. Within of fifteen minutes of the lights going out, many would have been going for that power off button on the TV remote sets. Two mandatory stops are required to keep the flow and the racing exciting and the starts look like a traffic calming measure nowadays, with lots of fuel and no KERS. Many will say no need to panic, but changes are required and urgently to keep the show exciting and unpredictable. Otherwise, this will turn into a very dull season.
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