The second race of the 2018 F1 calendar takes us to Bahrain International Circuit where action on this Tilke-designed track takes place under the lights. Bahrain has given us some great wheel-to-wheel racing and could be the one circuit where being on pole is a disadvantage, with the pole sitter winning only 5 of 13 races here.
Toro Rosso Honda enter the weekend amid a cloud of uncertainty as their poor performance in Australia was markedly different than in winter testing. Still, the team remains optimistic that the circumstances in Australia did not allow them to show what their package is capable of. Both cars will receive an updated turbo and MGU-H with Gasly also receiving a new ICE . A good result here would be one of the cars picking up the last points-paying position but the team may have to settle for less.
Elsewhere on the grid, it looks like we’ve got a genuine fight on our hands between Ferrari and Mercedes. The silver arrow did appear more dominant in Melbourne but Ferrari will be on a development charge. Red Bull will be strong but the team will need consistency from both drivers, particularly Verstappen, to keep the others at bay. After a performance that was both incredibly promising and incredibly heartbreaking Haas will look to repent with their car, crew, and drivers on-point and showing speed. From there we can expect Renault and McLaren to be battling together as they both have ambitions to move up the grid, possibly into the 4th or 5th constructor’s spot. Force India will still be adjusting to being farther back in the order than they have been in recent years. Same for Williams but their station will be less of a shock as poor update correlation and inexperienced drivers are partially a carryover from 2017. Sauber should round out the order.
US TV SCHEDULE:
Practice 1 – Friday, April 6 7:00 AM – ESPN3
Practice 2 – Friday, April 6 11:00 AM – ESPN3
Practice 3 – Saturday, April 7 8:00 AM –
ESPNEWS
Qualifying – Saturday, April 7 11:00 AM – ESPN2
Race – Sunday, April 8 11:00 AM – ESPN2
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
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
2018 tyres: Medium, Soft, & Supersoft (2017: Medium, Soft, & Supersoft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2017 RESULTS:
Race laps: 57
Pole position: Valtteri Bottas, 1:28.769
Fast race lap: Lewis Hamilton, 1:32.798
Podium
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
CURRENT
STANDINGS:
Drivers
1.Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 25
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 18
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Scuderia Ferrari, 15
4. Daniel Ricciardo,Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 12
5. Fernando Alonso, McLaren Renault, 10
6. Max Verstappen, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 8
7. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1, 6
8. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 4
9. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren Renault, 2
10. Carlos Sainz Jr, Renault Sport F1, 1
Constructors
1. Ferrari, 40
2. Mercedes, 22
3. Red Bull, 20
4. McLaren, 12
5. Renault, 7
6. Force India, 0
7. Sauber, 0
8. Williams, 0
9. Toro Rosso, 0
10. Haas, 0
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