Grand Prix thread 2021 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix

I suspect that there was definitely an effort to try slow the Mercs down, and I can't really blame them for it since such dominance is unlikely to attract and keep casual viewers. Even hardcore fans have been turned off by it.

It's not Mercs fault though, they have simply done a way better job than the competition, and that's what they're supposed to be trying to do. Can't help but feel that a bit more in-season testing and development would have closed the top end sooner though.

 

Think you are right plus now we have cost cap, teams could chose if they want to in season test or maybe do similar to the CFD and wind tunnels by giving last years top teams less testing time?

 

Even so you suspect that Merc will recover the downforce deficit sooner or later. They are quite good at this!

 

I always think Red Bull always start a little slow, see what others have done and where they are then develop big time so by end of season they are fastest. This year might be different It certainly looks like the teams are closer at the start of the season anyway.

 

Yep.it's likely they'll find it one way or another.

 

Mazepins already low reputation wasn't helped much today. Wonder what tomorrow will bring him.

 

To be fair he's only had 1.5 days in the car and that was testing, so the emphasis was to bring the car home as they only had 1! OK so Mick S did better and I hope it continues this way but lets give him a chance? I know he has made mistakes and not small ones but he is young. Look at Max and him physically assaulting Ocon on camera live to the world during an F1 weekend!!! I'm not comparing the 2 incidents but young people do stupid things. We can just hope they learn.
I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt and see how he gets on playing in the big league.

 

Nope. The guy is an arrogant prick and dangerous. Shouldn't be anywhere near this sport.

Not sure there's a cure for narcissism. The bloke isn't going to change.

 

So very similar to Max?
I think you are probably right.

 

I forgot to vote but short of a tactical error or reliability this is Max's race and Lewis will settle for second on the same terms, wanting to live another day.
I am curious to see how Sainz compares to LeClerc hopeful Ferrari do well, a Redbull, Merc and Ferrari podium would be great. How McLaren and their two drivers perform, hoping Perez gets himself into a good position. What might Gasley achieve. Can Vettel make something of his race and justify not collecting hs pension last season. Alonso and Russell are of interest too. There is interest from the front to the back of the grid. There will be a surprise in there somewhere.

Glad you are not mincing your words SgtBhaji

 

Do we think Perez can bag 4th today?

 

Almost as excited for this race as the previous Bahrain GP.

 

I think he can get top 6, I think 4th is a bit out of reach tbh.

Can Alonso get top 6?
Can Vettel beat Strolololol?

 

Be interesting how Hamilton copes without having the fastest car since 2013 only Rosberg for a couple of seasons and half of 2017, 2018 has Ferrari of Vettel been anyway near the Mercs.

 

Chink in the armour?

New Honda energy store and control electronics required in Perez's Red Bull. That's the second such change for the Honda-powered teams this weekend, following AlphaTauri driver Gasly's identical replacements on Saturday.

 

Seems so weird to have Alonso on the grid again. No idea why.

 

No Perez!

 

Sugar

 

Welcome to RBR #2.

 

At what point to Red Bull look into fixing the second car curse.