The third race of the 2017 F1 calendar takes us to Bahrain International Circuit where action on the [typical] Tilke-designed circuit takes place under the lights. Bahrain has given us some great racing like Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton’s epic wheel-to-wheel battle in 2014.
It’s not often a Formula 1 team can take comfort in a DNF but that’s the position McLaren Honda finds itself in after Fernando Alonso made it to Q2 and ran comfortably in the top 10 for most of the Chinese Grand Prix with a car that is down on power. Without the benefit of rain we should not expect the car to run quite as high in the order this weekend. Honda is rumored to be bringing a much-anticipated new engine to the post-race test.
Elsewhere on the grid, it looks like we’ve got a genuine fight on our hands between Ferrari and Mercedes. The question for those teams turns to whether Ferrari’s Raikkonen and Mercedes’ Bottas can join their teammate on the podium. Red Bull will be strong but it won’t be until an engine upgrade slated for Canada that they should genuinely be able to challenge for wins. At Williams they’re still trying to find their place as the best of the rest or just another member of the mid-pack. After a strong drive by Magnussen in China, Haas will look to get both cars to finish in the points. At Sauber we can expect Pascal Wehrlien to make his return to F1 action after a two race absence.
US TV SCHEDULE:
Practice 1, Fri 4/14, 7:00AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Practice 2, Fri 4/14, 11:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Practice 3, Fri 4/15, 8:00AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Qualifying, Sat 4/15, 11:00AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra (12:30PM
EST
,
NBCSN
)
Race, Sun 4/16, 10:30AM
EST
,
CNBC
CIRCUIT
INFORMATION:
Lap data
Lap length: 5.412km (3.363 miles)
Race laps: 57
Race distance: 308.238km (191.53 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’31.447 (213.055 kph) by Pedro de la Rosa, 2005
Fastest lap: 1’29.527 (217.624 kph) by Mark Webber, 2005
Maximum speed: 314kph (195.11 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Pit straight and third straight
Distance from grid to turn one: 265m
Car performance
Full throttle: 66%
Longest flat-out section: 1205m
Downforce level: Medium
Fuel use per lap: 1.8kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.054s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 21.031s by Red Bull
2017 prime tyre: Medium & Soft (2016: Medium)
2017 option tyre: Supersoft
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2016 (V6
TURBO
ERA
) RESULTS:
Race laps: 57
Pole position: Lewis Hamilton, 1:29.493
Fast race lap: Nico Rosberg, 1:34.482
Podium
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
CURRENT
STANDINGS:
Drivers
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 43
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 43
3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 25
4. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 23
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 22
Constructors
1. Mercedes, 66
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 65
3. Red Bull Racing, 37
4. Scuderia Toro Rosso, 12
5. Sahara Force India, 10
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