Grand Prix 2017 Bahrain Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Have we all calmed down after China? After the rather dull opener in Australia Shanghai did show that the 2017 cars can overtake one another and without DRS. The question is did the damp conditions flatter to deceive? I suspect we won't see even a hit of rain in Bahrain.

It's a score draw between Hamilton and Vettel now in the championship. The Merc looks to have the edge over the Ferrari in qualifying trim but the cars are closer in the race. The decision to pit Vettel under the virtual safety car left him at a disadvantage as he tried to chase Hamilton down in China but Lewis always looked like he had something in reserve.

Behind the two front runners their team mates are looking like genuine No. 2 drivers, although this may be a little harsh on Bottas only two races in to his Mercedes career. Raikkonen's complete lack of enthusiasm to try and overtake Ricciardo in China was telling although he was complaining about having problems with the "energy" supply from his car. Red Bull are the clear third team and without changeable weather conditions I suspect they won't be as close to Mercedes and Ferrari as they were in China.

Behind the top three teams there is a real battle. Williams, Force India, Toro Rosso and Haas are all close with Renault not too far behind. McLaren were even in the mix in China with Fernando "The Animal" Alonso putting the Woking car in places it probably has no right to be. We have yet to see what Vandoorne can offer.

Will Werhlein be back in the Sauber in Bahrain? Will Sauber be able to glue all the bits of car Giovinazzi left them with after China to give him a car?

I'm trying to think of anything outstanding about the circuit in Bahrain but little springs to mind. It doesn't have a silly underground pit exit like Yas Marina. It's usually run in daylight hours. The only two things which do come to mind are the piss poor human rights record of the regime which means there will be a huge security operation and the drivers will have to spray rose water rather than Champagne on the podium as it's a strict Muslim country.

Only a week to wait. The teams will be furiously packing up in Shanghai as I write this to get everything on to a plane to ship out to the Gulf. Fingers crossed for an exciting race as Hamilton and Vettel resume battle.
 
What on earth was Hamilton playing at. Is he being a bit of a Prima Donna ?
Yes, "a bit"
He is triple Formula 1 Champion :)

Apparently, in this situation with the pit-lane was not malice from Hamilton's side.
 
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But Ricciardo could have come out further in front of him which would have given his tyres more time to warm up.
But your point was Hamilton should have given the place back to Ricciardo, he didn't take the place from Ricciardo, Riccuardo retained the place.
You also said that Hamilton's penalty will have had no baring on the race, by the same count Riccuardi's being held up by a few seconds will have had no baring on the race.
 
Ricciardo had the place, Hamilton still came out behind him.

That is by the by though; what matters when looking at an offense (should be) intent; he intended to stack Ricciardo behind him to try to allow him to hold his place.

See about 59 minutes:


This was the trigger to change the rules
 
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That is by the by though; what matters when looking at an offense (should be) intent; he intended to stack Ricciardo behind him to try to allow him to hold his place.

See about 59 minutes:

This was the trigger to change the rules

Do you know it was intent to stack Ricciardo behind him? Or an attempt to roll in behind Bottas without having to stop twice?
I'm not arguing by the way that it didn't deserve a penalty, I believe it did. But it's nothing like as blatant as the Montoya offence in the video.
On intent. At China, Vettel intended to line his car up outside his slot, that wasn't accidental , but there was no penalty.
The rules say "they will stop within their respective grid positions"
 
Hamilton did the same thing on the grid in Bahrain 2016 as well. Think the rule is read as having an advantage from not being preciously within your grid box which neither did. Hamilton would (but for crap pitstops by Merc) have gained an advantage from his actions on Sunday therefore penalty. Very different incidents. Not sure why they are being linked.
 
So why have the rules been clarified after The Vettel incident? I linked them because they were both infringements in consecutive GP's. Also because intent to commit the offence was mentioned.
 
racecub - regarding the Vettel issue, there is debate about the meaning of "within" the grid slot. His car was within his grid slot (albeit not all 4 wheels). The only strict interpretation has been the forward/backwards part.

The sporting regs are often written in slightly vague language, meaning that clarifications are needed ex post. That being said, once a clarification is made, it is rare that the wording of the rules is changed, but it gives a little more consistency in penalties ex post.

Raikonnen did not receive a penalty for stacking drivers behind him in Spa, but the next driver to do it (Fisichella in China) did receive a penalty...
 
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