The events this weekend and early next week in Bahrain hold interest for many and not just for the Formula One Grand Prix. The Formula 2 season gets underway and then post GP there is F1 testing with a number of rookies taking to the track.
While there have been 14 Grand Prix since 2004, Bahrain will be known for some time as a nation of unrest with the cancellation of the race back in 2011. Initially it was postponed due to domestic protesting and rescheduled for later that year in October. However, a week after the re-scheduling it was cancelled.
Several drivers voiced their opinion on the events of the day. Even former World champion driver Damon hill was quoted as saying, “We will forever have the blight of association with repressive methods to achieve order”
Even Bernie Ecclestone agreed that the race could not go ahead without the agreement of all participants.
While 2012 saw human rights activist protesting against excessive force by authorities and torture taking place in detention centres, they again called for the cancellation of the Grand Prix. The race did take place in April as scheduled.
In its 14 year history, there have been just seven different winners:
– Sebastian Vettel (2012, 2013, 2017, 2018)
– Fernando Alonzo (2005, 2006, 2010)
– Felipe Massa (2007, 2008)
– Lewis Hamilton (2014, 2015)
– Michael Schumacher 2004
– Jensen Button 2009
– Nico Rosberg 2016
Questions we should get answers for after the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix
– Are we seeing a ‘new’ Valtteri Bottas? Can he continue his dominating performance when he won the opening race in Australian two weeks ago? How will Lewis Hamilton react?
– Will Ferrari regain its pre-season testing form allowing Sebastian Vettel to win his third Bahrain GP in a row?
– How will Daniel Ticktum perform in his first Formula One test with Red Bull Racing next week?
– Mick Schumacher, son of seven-times World Champion Michael, will test for not one, but two F1 teams. First he will drive for Ferrari on Tuesday and then for Alfa Romeo on Wednesday. He convincingly won the Formula 3 European Championship last year and is competing in F2 this season. It’s a big week for Schumacher so how will he perform and what will the journos’ be writing about him next week?
– Daniel Ricciardo unfortunately retired from his home GP. He is reportedly getting six times his salary at Red Bull so he needs to perform (and so do Renault)! Will he finish ahead of team mate Nico Hulkenberg?
– The Haas team looked good in Australia until Romain Grosjean retired when his front left wheel wasn’t secured during his first pit stop. His team mate Kevin Magnussen was the best-of-the-rest (sixth), behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull. Renault will want to beat them and then there is Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) and Lance Stroll (Racing Point) who were eighth and ninth respectively in Australia. Which team will will be the-best-of-the-rest?
– How good will Brendon Hartley’s replacement Albert Albon perform in just his second GP?
– And as for Williams F1 Racing, well, we will just have to see what pride they can salvage. Announced overnight is the return of co-founder Sir Patrick Head who will be engaged in a consultancy role.
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