The Grand Prix of Bahrain - Is it going to be the same like last year? F1,Formule 1, construct, konstrukce

The Grand Prix of Bahrain - Is it going to be the same like last year?

L.Pecháček | 11.3.06 | Komentáře - L.Pecháček 2006

F1 comments L.Pecháček

That Renault would win, Ferrari trying hard to catch up and McLaren attacking from the rear? At least that was the impression from the first GP of Bahrain. The qualification was much more interesting than last year as it separates the wheat from the chaff. The new system has three parts: after the first 15 minutes the 6 slowest get eliminated taking the 17th - 22nd place on the grid. Another 15 minutes later another six drivers are eliminated placing themselves on the 11th - 16th place. The last twenty minutes then see a struggle for the first ten positions. Among the losers we could see Ralf Schumacher with Toyota and Kimi Räikkönen whose McLaren torn apart right in the first meters on the circuit. The first two positions for Ferrari were a surprise. It was the record breaking 65th pole for Michael Schumacher, putting him to the same level like A. Senna. Hondas also reached nice standings, Button 3rd, Barrichello 6th. Alonso's 4th and Montoya's 5th positions were quite to be expected.

The race showed several facts, the most important of which is, that the world champion Alonso lost nothing of his championship and this year again Renault will have excellent car. The same skill was proved by Michael Schumacher, in whose hands the new Ferrari 248 made a very good impression. However, it wasn't enough to win his 85th victory. Kimi Räikkönen showed championship as well coming from the last place. The biggest surprise, however, appeared to be the rookie Nico Rosberg, who won two points in his first race in F1. I wouldn't like to jump to conclusions but provided the championship goes on this style we may very well see a lot of interesting competition and surprise, the season par exellence.